End
Charlie had come back about five minutes later to deal with the wounds and feed him some more. He also gave him some more water to cool him down. He was beginning to feel connected to Charlie and worry about him.
What had happened to him to make him fracture into those personalities? Charlie was so vulnerable and caring he just wanted to protect him and comfort him. He wasn't aware he'd been the one doing these things to him.
Though he struggled again Charlie also gave him another dose of dilaudid. Soon the effect of the drug overtook him again and he even smiled at Charlie as he drifted off again to a painless sleep. That was another thing. He knew Charlie was only giving him the drug to make things better and take the pain away. He believed he was just taking care of him again.
The sunlight flooded in the next morning and woke him up. Once again he felt the prickling pain of his leg and the dull ache in his stomach from the stab wound. He could also feel his muscles had stiffened from having been strapped to this table for hours.
He could feel someone else's presence so he asked quietly, "Charlie?"
"Yes it's me," he answered gently appearing by his side and offering the usual water and food.
"Why don't you free me? I could eat and drink easier that way," he replied.
"No, they'll get me and punish me. They'll know I did it."
"I can get you help. I can save you."
"No, no, they'll get me. They never help," he shouted inserting the dilaudid once again into Aaron's system.
Once again Aaron succumbed to the drug and closed his eyes.
Some time later he woke up to the sound of cackling to see the Joker again in full clown make-up. He tried to stiffen but the dilaudid was still high in his system. He wanted to fight back but the drug had weakened him but it took all the pain and horror away.
"Are you ready for the end?" he laughed.
The end? Had it finally come? Was he really going to die? He felt so alone. He knew he had a son and a boyfriend but he felt so alone without them. He knew they hadn't truly left him but they were nowhere near him and now he wouldn't get to say goodbye and tell them how much he loved them.
He untied his wrists and ankles then got him onto his feet though Aaron felt unsteady. The sand wasn't helping at all as he collapsed against the table he'd just been untied from. He looked up at the Joker to see him glare at him.
"This won't do any good," he shouted throwing him a shovel. When he saw Aaron didn't respond except look at him glazed he picked him up over his shoulder laughing. "The Batman can't help himself now; goodie."