Nerio – I'm honored you think it is. Thank you sincerely.
ledgerlove, moonservant, Daydreaming Nightwalker, hayly baby, MartenKeeper – Thanks for liking the Joker haiku so much!
Anon. – Thanks for your patience (writer's block does SUCK). That's why I was unsteady with this chapter. I tried to link it to canon events while filling in the gaps between and that was sorta difficult. With that letter, very true about Batman and Dent panicking over it, at least over what's implied.
CompleteSolitude – The one here will be moreso!
Mydnyte Houre – Wow no one's ever said that of my writing. Thank you very much! And I do try to be as unique as I can in my fanfiction. :)
The Magic Trick – Hmm...I never thought of the Joker's chapters being Poe-like but I see your point. Yeah, that's what I was trying to aim for with alternating Joker and Rachel's POV in chapters: to demonstrate how one's chaos and the other's order or something along those lines.
The Phantom Lady, Kendra Luehr, talking-hat – Thank you for reviewing. :D
xheartxcorex – That quote comes from the film "Love Story" and I thought since "The Dark Knight" has the Joker quoting from a romantic film like "Jerry McGuire" ('you complete me'), I wanted to have something like that too. ;)
miss coconuts – Actually I would think saving the mayor would be easier for Batman and Gordon since the Joker left evidence unlike with Rachel as he told nobody where she is...
Amaruk Wolfheart of the Wraith – Glad to know I got you liking the haiku format. Thanks! :)
Rachel – To answer your first question...it's complicated. Because I want the story to be realistic, much of it will be subtle, perhaps implied (I don't want Rachel to develop Stockholm Syndrome either). As for the second question, I just thought haiku was similar to the Joker's speech/thought patterns in that both have awkward breaks and are (figuratively) very brief in length.
wolf firez – Funny in a good way or bad way?
Kit – I'm touched that you're inspired by my writing and I thank you deeply as a fellow writer. I like Rachel as a strong woman too. I don't see her breaking so easily in a situation like this because she's been in similar tight spots before.
DisturbedBeauty – Thanks! The letter was fun to write. :)
Thank you to everyone else as well! This chapter was challenging so I hope it came out all right.
Recently, I drew a cover for this fanfiction. Remove the asterisks from the link and there it is:
h*t*t*p*:*/*/*m*u*l*t*i*c*o*l*o*r*.*d*e*v*i*a*n*t*a*r*t*.*c*o*m*/*g*a*l*l*er*y*/*5*3*3*2*3*2*5*#*/*d*1*k*6*h*m*r
I want to tell you all there's a twist in this chapter, based on a minor detail from the previous one. I won't say anymore other than that the fact that I wasn't specific on it might majorly impact the story. Enjoy!
VI
Many hours of entrapment equal regret. There's no way of dodging it. I regret I rely on wall clocks to the extent that I do. Otherwise, I would wear a watch and know what time it is, rather than perpetually guessing it. But how can I read a watch when the far outline of my hand is all that's visible? Another regret I have is one I can't control. I really regret the Joker has extensive yet cryptic knowledge on sadomasochistic bondage gear. I would've broken it loose if it were a flexible material like rope; however, the pieces binding me are solid, blistering metal and the one on my feet weighs a quarter of a ton. Most of all, I regret that the longer I'm left to stew over the negatives, the colder any positives seem to grow.
Focusing on the positives of a situation is what I've learned to do for many years to keep my faith in goodness healthy. In situations bad as here, there are positives to be thankful for. For instance, I'm thankful I have the common sense not to stuff my face where food is served. And so bathroom issues aren't a problem...yet. I only sampled the appetizers at Bruce's party and that was ages ago. Hence, there's no issue to have there but when it does become an issue...I don't wish to dwell on it. I don't know whether I can suppress the urge...I don't know if the Joker's even coming back...
I subsequently remind myself that it's nonsense the Joker would desert me to rot. He still requires me to act as his pawn to lure Harvey. Dear god, I hope Harvey's okay. It's another matter to have us both somewhere hellish, praying for rescue…he must be okay for the sake of Gotham and my sanity, Bruce as well. I can deal with being a hostage; I might get out alive.
Sure enough, the Joker confirms my inner suspicions and bursts through the door in all his grungy glory. He strides vainly, puffing his chest and humming a simpering tune that would cause a cat to vomit. No doubt he's having a ball which likely means my situation's going to be the epitome of "not good." Correction: it's always a signal for pain when someone like the Joker is this happy. Hell, I ought to see a swat team or the Batman instead if things are honestly turning cheerier.
I observe my tiny sliver of outside as much as I can until the door obscures it away. No sunbeams found, darkness replaces them; it must be nighttime. The Joker had been gone the whole day doing god-knows-what and that also explains why I feel incredibly exhausted. More than I should be feeling; I've remained fixed here indefinitely. Maybe my body's giving up due to stress?
The Joker paces along to meet my limp form. "They're searching for you," he shoots, "the whole city police...at least the ones not part of the mob." He snickers somewhat, following his quip.
"I didn't tell them where you are," the Joker later affirms less frivolously. "That's for them to find out. And I won't tell until..." Pausing in suspense for the hundredth time, he thrusts his hand in my direction, vibrating it a tinge so he exhibits the aura of a conductor commanding some grand musical composition. The muscles in my jaw clench; if he thinks I'll cooperate to his egocentric machinations now like a mindless puppet then go screw him.
The Joker scowls in disappointment and drops his hand, flopping it loosely to his side like an asphyxiating fish while whining, "Come on, you know, I've said it." He halts to officiously clear his throat. "'Until the Batman turns himself in like any self-righteous, law-breaking criminal,'" he proclaims with the finesse of a stereotypical politician.
"He's not a criminal," I mutter loudly for the Joker's ears to detect. Yes, saying the Batman's not a criminal is implausible because he's technically a vigilante in the law's perspective but what else can I do? The scenario the Joker suggests of placing the Batman, Bruce, and himself on equal footing is more than I can stand. So be it that the only type of weapon I have to wield is verbal.
"Really?" remarks the Joker, feigning surprise. "How is he any different than me?" He lifts his hand again and demonstratively counts his fingers. "We dress in a theme. We break the law. So how is he any different?"
"He cares about people," I snap, "unlike you."
The Joker gives me a once-over. "My, aren't you tired? Were you trying to escape your restraints?"
Offended by the Joker's taunting, I wearily glare daggers at him and he shrugs. "Don't bother looking for keys. I...threw them in the reservoir," the Joker finishes, wearing a mischievous grin.
I wheeze out a sigh. He's got to be kidding me. There go my aspirations of him reconsidering. He's got no intention of freeing me, does he? He's going to detain me forever to infinity in this place, how delightful.
"Only a bomb can break this through," says the Joker matter-of-factly, nudging the metal bar connecting my legs with his foot. A lopsided smile cracks across his face. "Would you like me to fetch one?"
I immediately tense, sobering to the Joker's capabilities and what he represents. I blindly shake my head. "No...no..."
The Joker shakes his head too, his amusement contrasting my anxiety. "What'll it take to revive that spark of yours?" he distantly contemplates.
Flicking that ominous knife of his into view, the Joker twirls it with his fingers pondering. He then pouts and lowers the knife, bumping it over my collar-bones and leaning it against the seam of my dress. He tugs the knife down the center, peeling apart the fabric shielding my breasts. My breath uncontrollably hitches for I realize where this could proceed. I forgot he could do that.
"Ah yes," the Joker says gleefully and clicks his tongue, "I might've known." He slices the dress further, approaching my navel. I flail heedlessly in the danger of getting slashed. I won't let him rape me!
Onward I resist, regardless of the Joker seizing a fistful of my hair and undoing the bun it was in. Shoving me near, his voice adopts a milder, dare I mention sensual, edge which soothes me since it's not as brutish and I stop to listen because he ceases his would-be ravishment. "You know, I heard when a human is...'x'-shaped...for too long...flesh melts off their bones.
At my hushed bewilderment, the Joker clinically nods. "It does. Gravity settles in…and it drips off…" His gruffer utterances tickle the fine hairs on my neck. "…like a Popsicle."
Before I'm able to comprehend what he's implying, the Joker wraps his lips directly onto my pulse. If that's not a shock to the system then his ravenous tongue certainly implements it, stroking me with such fervor, I whimper. How…how can a mouth be that scorching? Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, and I can't think coherently because the Joker begins tasting every inch of my flesh. He's well aware he's setting my nerves on fire; he's giggling as he does it.
Desperately, I bend back just to slow the Joker's assault or devouring or however the hell it's properly called. Big mistake: it serves the Joker better leverage, resulting in him gaining total access and me in an uncomfortable arch of the spine. What prevent me toppling heels over head are the blasted handcuffs. Even though the cuffs establish their guaranteed assistance, the Joker slithers his arms around my waist, clutching both shoulder-blades to prop me upright. His grip's warmth soaks through my flimsy dress, more than a match for the scalding bites and sucks being applied to my throat.
I'm gasping, gasping, wanting to cry, scream, nothing works. I - can't - breathe. Make him stop! His mouth is burning me!
The abnormal torture mercifully concludes in one last sticky lick upwards, coating my skin fresh with saliva. Eyelids closed and wet, I gulp down the air made available. I fleetingly share the Joker looks past blurry lashes when his tongue hits my chin. The spectacle of his large eyes, glazed and expectant, frightens me so much out of my wits that it's amazing I don't have a heart-attack on the spot.
Slurring his pleasure, the Joker towers his weight in a dominance resembling a wild beast's. "Mm…" He smacks his lips; trickles of drool glisten from their stitched corners. "I'll eat you alive."
"Y-You pig!" I sputter.
The Joker vigorously laughs. "That's what I want to see." His hand extends to cup my cheek but I squirm and delay him. Never have I felt so violated. Laughter roaring to a fierce peak, the Joker claws steadily at my hips, nestling himself between my legs. My writhing about doesn't aid me a scrap of improvement. It increases his excitement to be blunt.
Cringingly weak are the protests I howl during the full duration. "Don't! D-Don't...touch me!"
"How's Dent with you?" the Joker asks suddenly in the midst of lecherously massaging one of my thighs. "The way he decked Rossi in the courtroom," he whistles, "he can't be gentle."
Like nitroglycerin, my renewed temper explodes upon impact from the Joker's recent insult towards my fiancé. "You son of a -"
Then I'm cut off, quite literally. How quick I dismiss that the Joker carries a knife each waking minute. Silenced by a blade substituting for a finger, I retain my furious gape, frozen to a stupor. Soon, said blade is removed and my mouth quivers, all that's necessary to spill a dollop of blood from the once-invisible cut.
"Dent's no so-called 'knight,'" the Joker states, assessing me with purpose while jadedly smiling. "He's not incorruptible. No one is.
Utilizing the knife to scoop some blood from my lips, the Joker nonchalantly laps it up. He pokes the blade's sharp point straight on my chest prior to speaking, giving me a cruel jab as he emphasizes certain words. "I'm willing to bet...I can get you to betray...everything you claim you stand for." He slants his head unblinkingly. "That's what I'll do with this entire world...best to start sometime.
"Guess what?" The Joker's eyes bulge in eagerness, scars undulating courtesy of his wavering mouth. "It starts...now, pumpkin."