"Darling, darling, doesn't have a problem
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
It's alarming honestly how charming she can be
Fooling everyone, telling them she's having fun"

- Lana Del Rey "Carmen"

Joker's hideout was nothing short of luxurious.

At least the bits where we actually slept and ate. From the outside, the building looked like a decrepit warehouse. The concrete walls lined with webbed cracking. Chunks broken off at corners. This place was practically remote just like any villains getaway should be.

It was a chilly atmosphere, but when you stepped further down the rabbit hole there was a heavily armed door with two guards standing by it. If you could get pass them and bypass the passcode also attached to it, you'd soon find yourself in a small storage closet.

This space was clearly used for last minute weaponry and a secret exit. So essentially we were coming in through the back of what lied beyond the desolate disguise of an abandoned warehouse.

Passing through this exclusive room you were greeted by another series of pass codes on either side of the door. Once you get out of there, you find yourself entering a rather large library fit for a mansion. Which of course, it was. The private entrance hidden skillfully behind a large 18th century painting that blended well with the tranquil mood of the area.

The library had high ceilings lined with intricate European moulding. Millions of rows of book shelves carried dusty old literature ranging from fiction to non-fiction and everything in between. The smell of these aged written treasures settled permanently in the air. There was nothing quite like a good book.

Leaving the library, you would find yourself entering the rest of the huge abode. The second level, where the study was located, had several bedrooms lining it's wide halls. This included the master bedroom and Joker's private office. From what I could tell, most of the bedrooms had their own bathrooms except for the ones that held the henchmen. They shared a large bathroom at the end of the right wing.

Walking down the magnificent winding staircase you came across the huge front entrance. There wasn't much there other than a place for coats, hats, and umbrellas. Veering off to the left brought you to the dining area and kitchen. Veering to the right brought you to a parlor that was set up for entertaining guests with poker or pool. A long bar was also built into one of it's walls housing almost every liquor imaginable.

From there, another hallway brought you to a few other rooms such as a few more bedrooms, bathrooms, and a second office. Others were miscellaneous. The only place I was not entirely sure about was the basement but judging by the uneasy look on some of the henchmen at the mention of it, I probably didn't want to know.

The strangest thing about this hideout was that there was a whole other side to the home that belonged to an older man we only simple knew as Mr. Peabody. Joker briefly explained that the old fellow was his guise so as not to alert any attention of the authorities to where the clown actually resided. They had a butler who would answer the door and if it was anyone unknown, Mr. Peabody would be the one called to assess the situation. For all that Gotham and the bat knew, this was Mr. Peabody's residence. Quite brilliant, really, and the only solution from having the trouble to move from place to place. This gave Joker and Harley a more permanent home outside of Gotham. The only catch being that we weren't aloud on Mr. Peabody's side of the abode under any circumstance.

Fair enough.

I was truly fortunate to get a room of my own upstairs with a private bath. I spent my first few days there sleeping off the fatigue in the queen sized bed. On the third day, I ventured down into the parlor to see a few henchmen playing cards. The Joker was nowhere in sight.

When I entered the room the boys raised their heads momentarily then went back to their game. I felt very out of place, unsure of what to do next. This was like a whole new world to me. A rumbling came from my stomach, interrupting my thoughts. When was the last time I ate again?

I drifted slowly into the kitchen realizing how light headed I was. Opening the two door fridge, I decided on something quick and easy. There was definitely enough in here to make a sandwich. I grabbed the ingredients I needed and prepared my lunch…or maybe dinner? I looked around for a clock. For all I knew, it could have even been morning.

Four. About four in the afternoon.

I continued with my work and within minutes I had my sandwich. The grumbling in my belly becoming increasingly unbearable. I didn't even wait to put everything back before devouring the whole thing. I leaned back from the island, satisfied.

Although I could go for another.

"Ah, look who's finally awake." A familiar voice commented from the entryway.

I watched Joker slink his way over to a stool which I hadn't bothered to use. He rested his elbows on the counter, beaming. "I've been waiting for you. I have an excellent idea for your promotion."

My face contorted, I thought I was already "promoted"? He let out a small chuckle, like he had read my mind again. I was starting to suspect that I was just easy to read. "I know what you're thinking, Chrysalis." His one hand became animated as his voice raised an octave. " 'But Mister J, I've already been promoted. You've said so yourself.' " He relaxed, returning to his actual tone. "And you'd be right! But in order to stay promoted you have to remain loyal."

His face came closer to mine, breath trickling over my sensitive skin. "I don't have any small jobs to give you currently so I came up with a better idea!" His eyes stared down at the counter as he traced small circles into it, inches from my own hands. "Think of the one person in your life whose always managed to get under your skin. The one person you've always wanted to take a crowbar to the head." His blues flashed abruptly up to my eyes.

I scoffed a little, not exactly meaning to. "I think we both know I've already finished them off. One way or another."

His metal grin returned to his visage. "Oh, come on now, Olive. You've got to think deeper than that. That couldn't have been all of them." He pressed a shoulder into mine, coaxing in my ear. "No one else close to you? Well, they couldn't have been that close if they walked out on you…"

Joker let that hang intentionally in the air as I breathed it in. My grey eyes grew dark letting it all sync. I knew exactly who he was referring to. That old animosity I felt for said person twirled it's way through my veins. My fingers clenched to fists.

He pulled back with a smirk, knowing very well he had me. "I just so happen to know where to find them. Whatta ya say, toots? I'd love to see how you work."

How could I say no? It was a long time coming. So later that night we found ourselves pulling up to a stingy strip club in a town near Gotham. It had been a few towns over from where I was originally born and now knowing it hadn't been so far made my stomach turn for all these wasted years.

I gritted my teeth watching sleaze balls roll in. Harley made a low whistle from the passenger seat as she observed too. "This sure ain't nothing like your club, Mistah J."

Joker rolled his jaw. "Well Harls, that's because my place has class. I hate small towns."

Harley nodded in agreement. "Gives me the creeps." She turned to study me from her seat. "Who're we looking for anyway?"

"She'll be inside." I replied without tearing my eyes away from the skeevy club entrance.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see the clown girl make a face then turn back to J. "Do we have to?"

I heard Mister J chortle as he raised a hand to cup the side of Harley's face. "Pumpkin Pie," He started sweetly. "you've seemed to pick up this habit of questioning me lately." He pinched her cheek hard. "Stop it!"

She winced, pulling back from his venomous touch. Her hand tried to sooth the irritated skin. Joker gripped the steering wheel again and parked in a far off parking space. Another car parked beside us filled with a few of his henchmen.

This was happening. This was all really happening. I stepped out of the car first, suddenly determined to get inside. A henchmen stood in my way. How did he get there so fast?

The clown rounded the vehicle and draped an arm around my shoulders. "I know you're eager, little bug, and I promise to let you do things your way after we are out of public eye. Got it?" He jabbed me in the ribs with a cane he was holding.

I begrudgingly complied. "Got it."

He smirked, "Good girl."

Our semi-large group of seven strolled up to the side entrance where a rather round biker stood. He scowled at our slightly more upscale attire, instantly knowing we weren't from around here. "Can I help you?"

Joker remained calm. "As a matter of fact," The clown held out a hand to one of his henchmen who handed him a wade of cash. "I happen to be traveling and boy, there sure are a lot of trees." He licked his lips as he counted out the money. The bouncer's attention clearly astute. "I'm quite tired, you see, and i have all of this money with nowhere to spend it…well, until I came across your-" He grimaced. "-fine establishment." Joker bent forward with a chunk of the cash outstretched raising where an eyebrow would have been. "Would you say I've come to the right place?"

The biker grabbed the money and did a brief counting. He nodded, "Right this way-"

"J"

"-Mr. J."

The bearded man went to usher us in when Joker raised an index finger in the air. "Ah, just one more thing. I'd like to request to the most private booth ya got. Best seat in the house."

The biker nodded again, "That can be arranged. Follow me."

We eventually found ourselves in a surprisingly roomy booth that was secluded by high, built-in dividers encasing it. I mean, it was still grimy, don't get me wrong but was definitely exactly what we asked for. You could see the stage perfectly and the clown had his henchmen stand about outside of the table. Anyone else in this club could tell he was someone of importance even if they didn't know him.

Harley ordered some kind of mixed drink while I got a martini to calm my nerves. Joker sat this one out, nestled between the two of us. The clown girl made hilarious comments about some of the most questionable strippers I'd ever seen. She had us three rolling with laughter. I found that, despite my whole reasoning of being here, I was actually enjoying myself.

You could tell the locals were not fond of our intrusion but kept tight lipped. By now they must have all known about the wad of cash Joker gave to the bouncer. They all wanted a piece. The waitress was most evident, smug yet upheld a cheery presence. Harley was getting visibly irritated.

"I don't like her, J. Just lemme me get one shot at her-"

"Now Harls, let's not blow our cover. Tonight is not about you." He was tracing imaginary figures into the table top while staring off into the club. I noticed he could never sit completely still. "We can always come back later for a play date."

This seemed to appease the clown girl and she finished off her drink. I was still nursing mine, my belly all in knots. I wanted to find her and be done with this. I had so many questions.

My eyes inadvertently glimpsed a woman grinding up against some sloppy business suit. She was clearly going above and beyond her job description because she certainly wasn't dressed as a stripper. Judging by the club's logo on her tee and hot pants, she must have been a waitress.

I recognized those summer blonde waves, that oval shaped face, and slender nose. All features attributed to mine. Only she looked a lot more haggard than I did. I let out a breath I had forgot I was holding. "There she is."

The other two pivoted my way. Harley's nose scrunched, "Who?"

My eyes locked onto my target as she hung off the business man, throwing her head back in a wild laugh. She appeared drunk. "Carmen, my mother."

Joker's features twisted into a mischievous smile while Harley's seemed a little distraught. "You're gonna knock off your own motha'?"

She said this under her breath, whether she meant to or not, it made it easier to ignore. I tried to stand up from the booth but a tattooed hand grasped mine. "Ah, ah, ah, what did I say?"

I huffed lowering myself back down. He patted my smaller hand. "All in good time."

We waited another hour or two, eyeing her every move. Her sleazy demeanor only boiled my blood more. How could she have thought this life was better than what my father had given her? I'd make her sorry.

At about one a.m. she disappeared to the back for a moment only to reemerge with a jean jacket and a small purse. She made her rounds kissing just about all of the staff and headed for the front door. Finally, she was leaving.

Showtime.

We curtly made our leave as well shuffling through the side door and to the vehicles. She was still visible and still kissing people good-bye as she got into a heap of car. The broad giggled to herself at the trouble she was having getting the thing to start.

Joker tapped impatiently at the wheel. "You better make this good, doll face. I better be not wasting my time for nothing."

We heard a loud roar erupt from her engine as the car putted about. His smile returned, pulling out of the spot to follow her. I fidgeted in my seat wondering what I'd do first or what information I'd get out of her. I had an inkling Joker wanted me to kill her but I just wasn't sure if I could bring myself to do that. Maybe I could get away with the torture if it was planned well enough. I began rummaging through the duffle bag of weapons beside me.

Several miles down the road, Carmen pulled into an even stingier motel. It was pretty deserted minus about three other vehicles parked in the lot. She was making this almost too easy.

We parked ourselves next to her after she went inside and the other goons parked at the farther end where it was empty. Two of them were to stay in the car until we were finished. Joker made sure they had cellulars to immediately contact if something went awry.

The clown turned the car off as he leaned back in his seat, smiling at me in the rearview mirror. "It's all you, Chrysalis."

I shook my head, inhaling deeply. I had somewhat of a plan. My shaky fingertips opened the unlocked door and I stepped out with the duffle bag over my shoulder. It was much lighter since I emptied it minus a few things I actually needed. I wanted to make this as quick as possible.

Joker and Harley followed suit behind me as I approached Carmen's motel door. I knocked three times waiting for her to come. I could hear her t.v. blaring with what sounded like some evening talk show. Could she even hear me over that racket? I pounded a little harder this time.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." A voice croaked from the other side. The flimsy wood creaked open as she poked her blonde head out. Her brown eyes looked me up and down. "Can I help you?"

My voice was suddenly stuck in my throat. So many things rushed to my brain but none of it could make my mouth move. Her face contorted strangely and I could see her fingertips itching to slam the door shut. I was totally blowing this.

Then a hand reached before me to push her door open further. "Ah, what a…quiant…living space you have, Ms.-"

"It's Carmen." She spat as Joker shoved his way past her. "Who the hell are you people?!"

Harley gave me a little nudge into the room, the corners of her mouth upturned. You could tell Carmen was getting a bit frazzled. She put her hands on hers hips and demanded, "I said who the hell are you people?! You want me to call the cops?!"

Harley shut the door behind her, locking it. "Whatsa matta'? Don't even recognize your own daughter?" Carmen looked to the clown girl in confusion. She let out a growl, "Not me, her! Ya dumb broad."

Her fingers pointed in my direction as I set the duffle bag down on a chair. The older woman came close, studying my features. It took her a minute for things to click. Her tired eyes searched for all of the similarities I had noticed back at the strip club. Then, as if she'd seen a ghost, her hands cupped her own cheeks. "Olive? That's really you?" She checked me up and down in a more awed fashion. "You look so good!"

She reached for a hug but I delayed her with my outstretched hand. "Don't." I warned.

"What?" She looked baffled. "Didn't you come all this way to see me?"

Without a second thought I socked her right in the face. It felt so good watching her collapse onto the carpet, reeling in shock.

Joker began clapping in the corner. He'd made himself at home in a chair to spectate the events unfolding. "About time! I was worried this was going to turn into one of those sappy reunions." He chuckled.

His pet leaned an elbow on his shoulder, "What's gonna happen next, J?"

He licked his painted lips, "That all depends on our little bug, Harls."

Even though I could hear their conversation right next to me, it sounded like it was being had miles away. My focus was fully on my mother. She sat up clutching her nose. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

I didn't reply, just kicked her and when I was satisfied with that I grabbed her by her hair and sat her in the nearest unoccupied chair. I noticed she felt quite frail within my grasp. I bound her to the chair with the rope I kept in the duffle bag. Knotting just seemed like something basic to learn when your life was surrounded by criminals.

"Tell me," I said as I pulled out another rope. "is this life everything you'd hoped it would be?"

Carmen's face lifted to spit blood in my direction. I whipped the bundle in my hands across her face. Her head lulled about, disorientated. Seething, I began winding the rope around her visage.

Joker looked intrigued by my contraption. "And what's this you're putting together?" He leaned forward, inquisitive.

I stepped behind the older woman pulling the leftover rope with me. "Help me move that long dresser forward."

He waved Harley off to do my indirect bidding. With a pout, she helped me push it closer to my victim. When that was accomplished I wound the rope through the underneath of the dresser, giving it a good tug. Carmen's head snapped back with it, making her gasp.

I stood in front of her now with the rope ends in between my fingers and a foot on a rung of the chair. "Whenever I pull this," I gave it another tug causing her to gurgle in pain. "it'll wrench her head…maybe even snap her neck if she wants to test me."

Some sickening power was building inside of me, ready to rear it's ugly head. I didn't want to kill her, that would almost be like rewarding her for being a despicable human being. I wanted her to suffer. Joker looked more than pleased by my Medieval torture rig. He circled around it cartoonishly stopping behind Carmen to lay either hands on her shoulders.

"I think Olive means business." He gave her a good squeeze. "I'd be quite proud if she were my daughter."

His dark chuckle echoed within the room as tears started to form in my mother's eyes. I just couldn't find the emotions to care anymore. One of the reasons why I was here was because of her. I tightened the rope a smidge and Joker pulled away, returning to his original seat.

"What's killing me going to solve?" My victim choked out.

I raised a brow, "Killing? Maybe maim and disfigure, but kill?" I almost closed the distance between our faces. "I'd never dream of letting you off that easy."

I drew back with a twisted smile of my own, raising my hands in the air. "What do you think, mum?! Am I everything you hoped I would be?!"

She began sobbing hard into her binding captures, uttering something I didn't quite catch. I dramatically cupped an ear in her direction, "What was that, Carmen? I can't hear you!"

She continued to sob, refusing to answer my questions. I was getting agitated by her defiance. "I said, speak up!" I tugged very hard on the ropes sending her back in a cinch. She cried out in pain as her fingers wriggled. I pulled on them just a little bit more for good measure. I wanted her to bathe in the burns.

"You're fucking crazy!" She struggled to cry.

I slackened my grip bringing my face to meet hers again. Her head flopped forward in a rag doll like manner. "Well Ma! You'd be a little crazy too if you had any idea of the shit I've been put through!" I clenched my teeth in a growl as I pulled the rope slightly again. "How are all these suits treating you? Better than Dad?"

I drew it harder, constricting her head. Her voice was a mixture of agony and tears. My lips met her ear, carefully pronouncing every word in a whisper. "Did you know Dad's dead? Gunned down trying to protect me." I glared at her. "Been dead for a couple of years now. Did you even care?"

Carmen shut her eyes tight, trying to avoid my heated gaze. I grabbed her face, shaking her. "I said did you even care?!"

"No!" She screamed through heavy sobbing. I let her go to stand a few feet away from her again. Her head hung low as she spoke broken words. "He was a madman…Olive, he was crooked…so many things that he did…" She tried to wipe some snot on the shoulder of her shirt. "It's how I met him, you know? I was a cocktail girl for a policemen's ball." Her eyes drifted to the ceiling above her, reminiscing some distant memory. "I was so young back then…and bad, oh so bad." Her brown eyes immediately snapped to me. "But he was worse. I did what I had to to get by, Olive. Grant, he-he just did as he pleased. Hurt people for his own gain. I couldn't do it anymore, especially when I was pregnant with you."

"Lies." I hissed. "He never touched a hair on my head."

A sad smile graced her face. "No, no I suppose he wouldn't have. He never laid a hand on me either…he just…his kind of trouble was-"

"Coward!" I yelled.

Her eyes screwed upwards. "W-what?"

My fingers clenched the rope. "You heard me, you're a coward. Everything he did he did for you, for us!" I got right her face, snarling. "He risked his life and what did you do? You ran!"

Her brows furrowed, "Oh, Liv, I've already lost you-"

"You've never had me!" I screamed, jerking the rope as hard as I could.

A horrible shrill escaped her as I tugged and tugged. It still wasn't enough though. I promptly dropped the rope to reach for something more solid. She was shaking her burned face, whispering in a mad chant. "You're insane. You're insane. You're insane. Oh dear, Lord, my baby girl is insane…"

I rolled my jaw and shoulders as I swung a crowbar in circles. I wouldn't listen to her lies anymore. I wouldn't be associated with a milksop. I raised the piece of metal above my mother's fragile frame. Then, a pair of hands gently wrapped around my own.

"Olive," The shaky voice said. I looked back to see Harley with a melancholy expression. "She's your motha…the only one you've got."

There was some kind of longing lingering in the blonde's eyes. It was almost like this moment reminded her that she too had a family. Whether they cared for her more than she of them or vice versa, each had a lasting impact on one another's lives.

A small laughter broke the silence. We turned our heads to see Carmen practically in hysterics. "She's no daughter of mine!" She hollered. "Grant's better off dead, and you'll follow right in his footsteps!"

That was the final straw. No matter what my father did he was the kindest man I ever knew. He worked so hard to raise me right even if that meant sacrificing his own humanity. She was the bitter pill. It should have been her.

"It should have been you." I heard myself say. I had somehow become detached.

"Don't!" Harley tried to call but it was too late. I rampaged the crowbar several times over my mother's head. The blood came in spurts as the tissue and skin softened under each blow. White noise filled my ears blocking out any shrieking that might have come from her body. I couldn't stop myself.

Eventually, my arms exhausted and the beating was slowly replaced by heavy breathing. The crowbar made a loud thud as it hit the carpet. A nauseating cackle enveloped my being. As I shifted my eyes around trying to get them to focus on the source I felt a strange sensation crawling up my throat.

My hand cupped over my mouth. Was I going to vomit? Joker's pale features were contorted into manic laughter. He looked as if he had just heard the best joke of them all. Then I realized what this vibrating in my vocal cords was. My mind cleared as it rang out more clearly. There were two laughters, his and my own.

I believe Olive has just found her own personal crazy. ;)

Hello everyone! Another chapter complete! I'll be going on vacation in about two weeks so there may be an even longer lapse with chapters but I will try my best to at least write one more before I leave.

Thank you again to everyone whose favorited and followed and especially to those who review! I always welcome reviews and they definitely continue to fuel my writing. So please, stay tuned and thank you again! :)