Disclaimer: I do not own Batman.
A/N: Shout-outs:
TheClownPrincessofCrime: I feel really bad for giving Harley the short end of the stick. Don't worry, she'll be back! (I'm still REALLY sorry for making the Joker seem like…that.)
Lady Cocoa: They probably don't happen in reality, but that might not sound surprising to Gothamites.
Guest: purplelavenderpony says hello. :)
Se7enDeadlySins: Thank you!
During the course of several days, Bonnie began to feel more and more secure around her boss. Her mind continuously protested her false sense of security, but she really couldn't help herself. There were times where she felt like curling up into a little ball around the mass murderer, yet his dangerous wits were incredibly intriguing to follow. It was almost fun to be alert and pensive around the man, and her mindset almost became second nature to her.
Then again, in a strange twist, this somehow made her LESS cautious around her boss. His mannerisms made Bonnie unhealthily fascinated, and she almost ignored how the boss drained her energy away. She tried so hard to be alert that she didn't notice how some of his subtle manipulation tactics sneaked past her.
She wondered if her boss used Miss Harley's "absence" as an excuse to exhaust her even more. Ever since Harley vanished, the time that Bonnie spent with her boss increased dramatically. Now, Bonnie's energy was being sucked out of her like never before, and she would not be surprised if she let the remainder of her guard down.
Unfortunately for Bonnie, the protection of her sanity was not her only priority at the moment. Her boss had so many ideas planned out, and Bonnie needed to focus on all of them. The boss especially elaborated on the "circus trip", and he babbled on and on about how it was fool-proof and explosive. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people would be "entertained" by him, and Bonnie would be an integral part of the plan.
And it would be live.
Bonnie shivered. She wasn't sure how her boss had enough equipment to get a signal on live television–but he could. Yet even though the man was unstoppable, she secretly hoped that the plan would not succeed.
The girl knew that being an accomplice would shock people, mainly because of her age. Also, working for a famous person had one major side effect: you'll get some looks, too.
Strangely enough, though, the boss made it seem like she was going to be a "star" very quickly. Why was that? Was it something so obvious that she did not notice? Was it really just because of her age? Or was it because certain people already knew about her?
Or it could have been because of one person.
...
…Batman. Batman was looking for her. He only looked for people if they…were paid very close attention to by other people. "Minor" crimes, like her mother trying to kill her, were not given a second glance. Others only paid attention to crime if it was organized by someone important (ex: her boss).
So…since she was with the Clown Prince of Crime, then people could have been looking for her.
That alone sounded terrifying to Bonnie. She didn't even want to make more sense of it.
Maybe other people weren't looking for Bonnie, after all. She wasn't even a story! Besides, Bonnie always tried to be low-key around everyone else. Reporters didn't want to know the back-story of a twelve-year-old, anyway!
But the "World's Greatest Detective" might want to know, Bonnie thought. He can find out anything about anyone. And–oh, no.
NO!
Bonnie couldn't have that on her plate! If–no, when–he discovers what she used to do at night, Bonnie would be in deeper water. She could have easily left her own hand-prints around her crime scenes or other pieces of evidence that would point at her! It would be so simple for the Batman to find her out!
A part of Bonnie's head pounded. If her boss wasn't going to kill her, then the Bat would make sure that she was done for.
Bonnie sighed, and she looked into the smudged mirror. Her costume was cool against her skin, especially since the girl had not put it on for weeks. It looked normal, if a bit faded in color, yet the girl didn't feel the same. She didn't know why.
She suspected that it was something in her eyes. They were more melancholy and nervous than they usually were, but there was something more than that, too. It had something to do with her head…
Wait a minute. Her hat.
Where was it?
She immediately touched her head, and her heart bounded when she felt her top hat's absence.
Somebody must have taken it. She didn't know who would do that, but somebody did. And it was right under her nose, too! How didn't she notice that before? She always kept track of her things...
Bonnie frowned, and the beating of her heart slowed down into a dull ache.
It wasn't worth it, now. She could just find a new one, if that was the case.
Still, she felt a little incomplete without it.
The corners of her eyebrows lifted, and Bonnie scratched her shoulders. She sighed as her previously rigid chest steadied to match her body's lethargy.
She had to go downstairs, even though she didn't really feel prepared. She hoped her boss wasn't in a bad mood.
He was. He also seemed to be leaving a loud phone message.
"Brent, WHERE ARE YOU? You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago! This is important, you know! Don't even bother coming to work tomorrow! And if you do…then…ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, NA, HA, HA, HE, HA, HA, AHAHAHAHEHAHAHAAA!"
The line cut him off. Bonnie already heard loud grumbling, and she softly whimpered at her bad luck.
Quicker than she usually did, Bonnie left the room. She got used to this new place, and she even used her spare time to check if there were any loose planks on the wood floors. Still, she winced at the sharp creaking.
After a few turns, Bonnie finally found the staircase. Quietly, the girl stepped on the less stable, awkward floorboards.
The stairs' squeaking seemed loud to her ears, but most of the men could only faintly hear a pin-drop (besides their boss' hollering).
Satisfied with what they could not hear, Bonnie continued to walk downstairs. When she was at the last of the several steps, the echoes of anger that bounced from the walls ceased. Instead, a certain individual's laughter sprung everywhere.
"…Oh, yes, there you are!" the Joker exclaimed, whipping his stiff head to Bonnie. "I thought you were hiding…as usual! HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!"
The henchmen sighed in relief. Even though there was a mixed reception to the girl's "inclusion" in the gang, they were thankful that she was able to steal away all of the unwanted attention.
Bonnie's tired fingers rubbed her clasped hands together.
Her boss clapped. "Okay, boys, let's get this show on the road! Outside!"
One man raised his hand timidly, and he weakly pointed at his employer.
"Er…your car, boss?"
All of the henchmen turned to gape at him for his thoughtlessness. The Joker's hand met his forehead.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Acey? Rocco's car!"
Ace repressed a huff. "But then who's going with yo–oh."
Bonnie gulped. Rocco stood up, waiting for the next order to be given. Being Rocco, he already knew what his boss was going to say.
"Is Roc the only one awake today? MOVE IT, PEOPLE!" the Joker screeched. Everyone immediately got up from the ratty sofa and started walking towards the door.
Bonnie hesitantly turned both ways, not knowing if she was supposed to do the same.
The boss began strolling down the same way.
"Follow me, kid. We haven't got all day." His voice was blank, yet there was a slight tremor of wrath in his voice that Bonnie did not want to get out. So, the girl went along with him.
Bonnie found herself staring off into the distance as she walked outside. There was only a sliver of the sun left in the horizon, for darkness was near. This obviously meant that he could show up…
Okay, okay. Remember what Larry said. Worst case scenario, I can try and get into Arkham Asylum somehow. I can't get into juvie or Blackgate. I can't.
…
...Where...was Larry? She saw the other men–save for Kenny Brent–but not him. Did he get kicked out, too? He did nothing wrong, but it was possible that–
"Get inside, kid."
Bonnie snapped back into existence, and she found herself near an old-fashioned (but maybe just rundown) automobile.
Oh, she really needed to pay more attention to real life. The child opened the car door and climbed inside.
Bonnie felt a little trapped when she sat on the awkward, lumpy car seat. As she put her seat-belt on, she remembered that she hasn't been in a vehicle for a while. At least, she didn't remember being in a vehicle in a conscious state.
Bonnie just guessed that this was probably what most cars were like…maybe.
The other door slammed. Bonnie recoiled as her boss entered.
As he struggled to find the correct keys, the girl looked at her feet. She jumped again once the car started.
Louder than they should have sounded, the tires shrieked. Bonnie was suddenly thrown back into her seat's leather.
They were out of warehouse vicinity in about three seconds, but the passenger didn't want to mention that the driver was driving on the wrong pavement. Bonnie held on as the car swerved on both lanes violently.
Does the boss always drive this way? Bonnie thought.
If she said that out loud, then the man would have said yes.
He laughed uncontrollably, which successfully made Bonnie cringe.
"Aw, what's the matter, kid?" the Joker said, mockingly pouting out his lower lip. "It's just an average day on the road! I've got your hat, if that makes you feel better."
Forgetting that the boss could kill them both, Bonnie tilted her head sideways. Bewildered, she looked at her boss's hand, which grasped her top hat.
…So that's where it was.
She stared at it.
"I...thank you," said the girl, shyly taking the hat. The Joker dismissively grinned at her, which left Bonnie to gaze at the chaotic front window.
Her heart plunged when she saw a couple crossing the street yards away.
"Boss, look out!" Bonnie covered her mouth, holding back the rest of her voice. Stopping her head from colliding with the car door's handle, she clutched it with her life.
The Joker laughed, and he honked the car horn loudly.
The couple shrieked. Bonnie closed her eyes as the wind collided with her face. The car tipped over on its side.
Surprisingly, the car veered far away enough that the traumatized couple managed to get on the sidewalk. The only candidate that seemed more shaken was the young criminal in the front seat.
"...Boss..." Bonnie exhaled, trying not to sound terrified. Despite her best efforts, her raggedy breaths sounded like they belonged to a trembling tightrope walker.
While the vehicle swung in every direction, the Joker narrowed his eyes at her. Scrunching his nose, he finally came to a conclusion.
"Jeez, kid," he said in a low voice, right down to a vocal fry. "I knew you were a naïve, little lawbreaker, but I didn't know you were this bad."
Before she could apologize for whatever she did wrong, Bonnie tilted her head in confusion.
"I'm sorry, sir, but what do you mean?"
The other huffed, "Naïve. As in unworldly and inexperienced. It's a commonly used adjective, kid."
Feeling herself lose her grip on her wording, Bonnie burrowed her head into herself.
"I-I'm sorry, I meant–"
"Oh, I see."
The car almost crashed into a parked car, making Bonnie jump. It was a good thing for her that the two entered a less populated part of the city.
"For someone that's an arsonist and a thief, you're pretty pathetic when it comes to sitting next to a reckless driver. And probably when it comes to everything else," the Joker said, rolling his coiled eyes. "It's almost like you're just starting out as a criminal! And when I mean "starting out", I mean like you're acting like you've only committed one misdemeanor in your life."
Bonnie's cheeks burned, and she lowered her head.
"So, in other words, you're inexperienced," the Joker hissed. "Naive. Your vulnerability would be painfully blatant to anybody who sees it, even to the young sort of criminals. How long have you been around in the kids' section of Gotham's underground, anyway?"
It took a moment for the ashamed girl to take his words in.
"…Two years," Bonnie replied, sinking into her seat. The Joker's brow crinkled in.
"Two years? Two years? Have you done anything else other than stealing a cookie or throwing matches everywhere? Like murdering somebody up close?"
Bonnie paled. This did not go unnoticed by her boss.
"Oh, so you have!" he exclaimed, his new grin sprouting vines of wrinkles around his face. Then, they suddenly unsettled. "You don't seem so happy about it."
Having memories of a hollering woman pass by, the child refused to look at her hands.
"She tried to–"
The Joker's content mask switched back to disappointment, and he quickly figured out what she was trying to get across.
"Darn it," he said. "And here you had me thinking that it was in cold blood. Self-defense? That's boring."
Bonnie couldn't find the courage to look back at her boss. Near a field of small buildings, she saw an array of red, yellow, and purple lights.
"I can't believe that you can't get over offing someone," the man hissed. "I'm just going to take a guess and say that that was what made you who you are?"
Her face reddened.
"And after a long two years of indirectly killing people, you don't want to do that again?"
Bonnie said nothing.
No, she thought, mentally shaking her head. That would just get me noticed! And that kind of...murder just seems too…too…
"Come on, kid! Lighten up! For people like me, torturing and killing is a way of life! After all, you can't spell slaughter without laughter! HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HAAAAAAAAA!"
Already more frightened by the Joker than usual, Bonnie nodded slowly.
"Don't worry. You'll expand your knowledge about this city's underworld! I'll help you! Maybe Harley, too, but I don't trust the woman with anything!"
Before she could react to the mention of the apparently alive Harley, Bonnie could not help but wince at what horrors awaited her during her official "debut".
The car halted.
"We're here!"
With her body temperature dropping at her boss' inevitable words, Bonnie gazed outside. A vertically striped tent took up most of her vision, and the fireflies made her pupils drift away with the far-off neon lights. Energetic music pounded in her sore eardrums as the Joker hummed alongside it.
He stopped his tune as quickly as he started it, and his face melted into its true severity.
"Alright, get out," he spat. "Let's get this show on the road."
A/N: The Joker is taking off his "father" mask and starting to show hints of how monstrous he really is. Do you think that Bonnie is catching onto his "person project"? Or do you think she's long gone?