Joker is owned by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson. Joker movie story plot is owned Todd Phillips and Scott Silver. Lilith is my created character. Title of the story created by my BETA

Chapter 2

Lilith stood still holding the Clown in her arms; he softly told her a name. She blinked a few times and answered him back in confusion,

"I'm sorry?"

She felt his chin move against her right shoulder as he replied.

"My name is Arthur"

Lilith's eyes widened in shock, she wondered to herself. "should he have told her that?" She was concerned he may have been beaching some sort of performers code by telling her his real name. As they stood still in silence she was beginning to wonder if he was waiting for her to tell him her name.

But Lilith did not feel comfortable enough to do that, she broke the eerier quietness between them.

"Right, well Arthur do you live near here?"

He slowly pulled away from her and their eyes locked. All she could see was pain and worry, she felt her heart beat. Lilith was unsure if it was her nerves or something else. Arthur struggled to stand, unsteady on his feet, he leaned to his left side nursing his injuries.

"Downtown lower east side."

Lilith sighed in defeat; it was quite far from the alley they were in. Too far to walk, especially in Arthur's condition. The journey on foot would have taken half a day and it was almost dusk. Looking up at the sky she looked back at Arthur.

"Are you okay getting the bus back? I will still help you get back."

Arthur nodded in agreement, content with her plan as they started walking up the alley way. She suddenly stopped, feeling alone she turned around to see Arthur struggling to catch up as he limped up the path way. Clutching his right side from the beating she smiled caringly and walked over to him wanting to help.

"Here let me help..."

Arthur watched her as she grabbed his left arm and put it over her shoulder, placing her right arm around his side. She tried her best not to touch his bruised parts. Arthur managed to walk faster than before with Lilith's support, eventually they made it to the bus stop.

Sitting on the bench, Lilith kept a look out for the City Bus to get him home. She felt Arthur's eyes on her; she looked at him and felt her cheeks heat up. She knew she should feel uneasy from his unwanted stares. But, she didn't, his stare felt innocent and curious but she did not know why. Maybe he hadn't had help before? Or the beatings he had taken had done something to his head?

Lilith realised where she was and quickly looked back out onto the street for the bus. It was scheduled to arrive soon, if it showed up on time. She let out a gasp in excitement as she saw the teal and silver bus approaching them, driving at a steady pace. Lilith quickly stood up and waved her left hand out to attract the driver, watching as the bus slowly came to a halt.

Stopping out in front of her, the driver opened the double doors to let them board the bus. She turned back to Arthur, who slowly got up to his feet, his body aching all over. The driver started to get impatient, she heard him tut aloud at them. Lilith grabbed his left hand, pulling him up and yanking him onto the bus. She paid the driver the fair money and grabbed Arthur's hand again.

The Driver starts moving causing the bus to rock. It didn't bother Lilith, but she heard Arthur lowly scream from the violent shakes as he bumps into her back. Lilith kept her ground and gently squeezed his hand tighter in her grip looking about for any empty seats. Eventually she found one at the back of the bus, a two-seater. Lilith gets in first with Arthur sitting beside her.

She could hear whispers amongst the passengers as they sat; she knew what they were muttering about. It was Arthur in his Clown outfit and make-up. It was then at that moment that she realized she was still holding his hand. Maybe the passengers thought they were an item and were disgusted with it. But she did not care what they thought, they could think whatever they wanted but they would never know the truth.

She looked down at their hands, still together. For some reason it did not bother her like it should have. It just felt friendly, Lilith had always imagined her fingers being tangled together with a lover. She knew the bus journey was going to be long, Lilith decided to try and make conversation with him. But, she was not sure if Arthur wanted to. There was no harm in trying right? Letting out a long sigh, she broke the silence between them.

"So how long have you been a party Clown for?"

Arthur looked over at her, their eyes locked together, green on blue, she smiled sweetly at him. He tried to return it but, it felt like a half smile to her. Arthur answered her question.

"About just over ten years"

Her eyes widened in shock. That was a long time to be doing a job. She thought he must be really dedicated to it and enjoy it. Wanting to keep it flowing she asked another question,

"So, what's your Clown name?"

Arthur still looking at her replied back,

"Carnival..."

Lilith gasped in shock a huge smile upon her face.

"So, it means festival? When people dance with music and processions?"

Arthur just shrugged his shoulders at her, unsure on what she meant, Lilith blushed in embarrassment. Realizing she had got it wrong, she looked away. She felt she had ruined the conversation feelings of doubt and uncertainty started to take over. But, then she hears Arthur ask something,

"How long you been working at Kenny's?"

Lilith looked back at him, instantly she felt the pressure ease off. She answered,

"About month and a half not long really"

Arthur looked surprised, he pressed on,

"So where did you work before that?"

Lilith smiled at him,

"Nowhere, this is my first job"

Arthur understood. Lilith quickly asked him something. Feeling pressured, she wanted to ask him more questions.

"So, what kind of things do you do at your job?"

Arthur blinked at her and replied,

"I do parties, hospitals, shops and whatever work I can get"

Lilith smiled at him, nodding her head in time with him as he spoke and responded,

"Wow, you sound like you're a busy guy"

Arthur smiled at her reply and continued on,

"I also do stand-up comedy too"

Lilith gasped with excitement, quickly asking.

"Really?! Tell me a joke!"

Arthur's eyes widened in shock, face froze with both excitement and fear, normally people were never interested in his jokes. He looked away, unsure if she would laugh at him for his failing career in stand up comedy. Lilith patted his left leg, Arthur looked up at her. Their eyes locked as she smiled reassuringly at him. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable with pressure.

"It's okay you do not have to tell me one if you are not feeling up to it Arthur"

Arthur felt his heart slam against his chest when she said his name for the first time. It brought butterflies to his stomach as they continued to look at each other. Yet he still did not know her name. He mumbled lowly at her.

"Thank you..."

Lilith frowned at him, unsure with what he was thanking her for, but, just took it. She removed her hand from his leg and looked out the window to see where they were. Arthur wanted to get to know her better, so he asked a question.

"How long have you lived in Gotham?"

Lilith looked back at him, unsure on how to answer the question. No one knew she was new to Gotham City. She was quite a private person and did not like to give away too much about herself. She opened her mouth to answer him. When Arthur gasped aloud in shock, stopping Lilith in her tracks. He noticed they were near their stop. Arthur pressed the orange button on the silver pole beside them, indicating to the driver that they wanted him to stop.

It made a 'ding' noise and the sign above that said 'BUS STOPPING' lit up in blue. When the driver halted, Arthur got up along with Lilith. Still holding her hand tightly, they made their way to the doors both 'Thanking' the driver who said nothing in return. They got off and watched him drive away Lilith commented.

"Well it seems someone is having a bad day"

Arthur looked at her and chuckled infected by his laughter, she started to laugh too. When they finally stopped, she asked him a question.

"So where to now Arthur?"

He pointed down the road Lilith nodded in understanding and they started walking, still holding hands. She quickly asked,

"Are you going to be alright walking?"

Arthur replied,

"Yeah I think so if we take it slow"

Lilith reassured him.

"Sure"

They slowly headed down the litter-covered streets. Garbage was piled up along the sidewalks, the air thick with smog it, creating a haze over everything. The walls were covered with graffiti, a mixture of art and rebellious words expressions of frustration. The streets were overcrowded with the poor, the elderly and under privileged people. Lilith could see women with children in busted strollers, homeless people sleeping on subway grates and stray dogs.

It was clear to her as she looked around, nobody here gave a shit anymore. Arthur suddenly stopped, Lilith looked at him, turning to see what he was looking at. She was taken aback by the huge flight of stairs ahead of them as she questioned him.

"We got to walk up all of them?"

Arthur nodded in response at her. She sighed in exhaustion but she was not planning on giving up just yet.

"Okay we can do this"

Both of them walked up the flight of stairs taking their time night was arriving. The dimly lit glowing yellow lights became visible when they finally reached the top of the stairs. Once they reached the top, they were greeted with more bags of trash slumped against the rails. They continued walking down the street towards a block of flats. Eventually they passed through one of the three archways, towards the double glass doors.

Arthur let go of her hand and pushed open one of the doors, holding it open for Lilith. She smiled at him.

"Thank you"

Arthur nodded his head in response walking into the Lobby. It was a shabby lobby in a building that had seen better days, but had been neglected, much like everything else in the poorer areas of Gotham. They headed towards the sliver elevator doors, Arthur pushed the button it glowed up. After a few minutes the double doors opened, they both stepped inside into the wheezing elevator.

It had a harsh fluorescent light and graffiti on the walls. Arthur pushed the button to the fourth floor, the doors closed after what felt like a few minutes afterwards. They stood beside each other, Lilith felt the elevator jiggle as it rose upward the number above the doors indicating witch floor they were on. Suddenly the whole elevator rumbled violently, causing the floor below to shake Lilith's breath hitched in worry.

She looked up to see the lights flickering, she felt the fear rising within her. Were they going to be stuck here? Lilith looked at Arthur,

"Does this normally happen?"

Arthur looked back at her and replied.

"Occasionally, most days it's fine. Just give it a few minutes"

Lilith nodded her head at him, showing she understood. It let out a loud squeak and rumbled once again. She felt the lift resume its ascension finally making it to the fourth floor. Lilith let out a sigh of relief. The doors opened and they walked out into the hall way, it had several rooms to the left and right. The hallway was cluttered with junk leaning against the walls and all the windows were boarded up; making the area gloomy.

There was a set of stairs, which was bordered up by a wooden plank which Lilith assumed lead up to another floor. Arthur walked out first, going to the left with Lilith following suit, he lived a couple doors down the hall. They arrived and Lilith stood and smiled at him,

"Well I am glad we manged to get you home safe"

Arthur agreed with her,

"Thank you for helping me"

Lilith shook her head at him,

"I was happy to, I'm sure someone would have done the same thing"

Arthur weakly smiled at her and Lilith felt her heart drop at his expression.

"I don't think so... you are one of a kind"

Lilith heart slammed against her chest her cheeks heating up at what he had said. She was at a loss for words for once in her life Arthur quickly added.

"I best get in and get out of these clothes"

Lilith giggled awkwardly, his words still ringing in her head she agreed with at him.

"Yes, it was nice to meet you Arthur"

Arthur nodded in agreement as he knocked on his front door. Having left his belongings and other clothing at his work place he did not have his keys. So, he was going to have to wait for his mum to let him in. Arthur then looked back at Lilith with concern upon his face,

"Are you going to get home okay?"

She felt her heart skip a beat at his expression, but, just shook her head and waved her hand at him.

"I will be fine, I do not live far from hear I will be okay"

Lilith smiled at him as she looked away.

"But thank you... for worrying"

Arthur went to speak but they both heard a click, Lilith took this as her que to leave turning around she walked off. But, she quickly stopped as she heard Arthur yelling.

"Hey!"

Lilith stopped in her tracks and turned around to face him, she saw him stood outside his door. His mother was still undoing the safety locks on the other side of the door.

"What's your name?"

Lilith froze; did she want to tell him? Should she? After everything that had happened today, she felt like she could trust him. He was nice, caring and seemed like he needed a friend too. She felt like she had made her first friend since being in this city, smiling, she called out.

"Lilith"

Arthur nodded, indicating he had heard her and walked inside the door. Lilith heard an elderly woman calling out.

"Happy-"

But she could not hear the rest, the door slammed shut and Lilith made her way to the elevator. However, as she got to the doors, she stopped waited a few minutes then turned and walked past Arthur's door. Making her way to the door next to his, she reached into the pockets on her trousers. Pulling out her keys, she unlocked her door and walked inside, closing the door behind her.

She walked into the living room and flicked the switch on the wall illuminating the room. She looked to her left, noticing the blinking light on her phone. Lilith knew straight away who it was… her parents. They kept phoning her every day, checking in on her for the past two months of living here in Gotham. Their messages varied from caring and sweet, to harsh and demanding depending on their mood that day.

Most of them were from her Mother, but sometimes she got a surprise message from her father too. Lilith walked over to the old cream coloured phone and pushed the button,

"You have one message-"

She sighed in annoyance, awaiting her fate.

"Hello Sweetie, it's your Mother here. Just checking to see how you are and how your job is. Please come home we both miss you lots."

"To delete the message press one..."

Lilith pressed the button and the announcer confirmed her action. She let out a deep heavy sigh of frustration, knowing she was going to be getting another tomorrow and so on. Why could they not just leave her alone? Lilith walked into her bedroom turning on the light she reached up to her hair. Gently pulling on it, her blonde wig came off, revealing her natural black hair.

Placing it onto the wooden mannequin head that was on top of her chest of drawers, and removed her hair net too. Ruffling up her hair, she reached out for a wet wipe beside the wig and washed of her make up. Feeling naked, she looked at herself in the circle mirror upon her draws. Below it, there were tons of make-up products and a small collection of perfumes.

Tears slowly fell from her eyes as she continued to stare, goose bumps started to cover her skin. Her mind kept returning to her time with Arthur. He kept appearing in his Clown get up, her body shivered at the image that appeared in her mind. She got out of her clothes and dropped them on the floor. She walked into the bathroom turning on the shower head, the warm water hitting her skin.

She sighed in relief at the feeling letting it soak her body from head to toe. Lilith looked up at the sliver shower head, trying to hide her tears. Her bottom lip quivered as she hugged herself her body shaking feeling naked without her mask. Arthur kept appearing in her head and she did not understand why. Lilith closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath she suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs.

Holding it for a long as she could, she let everything that had happened today out of her system. Squeezing her hands, her legs bucked from under and she collapsed into the bath tub. She felt weak and tired, breathing heavily as she gasped for air she sat on her knees. A wave of relief flowed through her, as her body began to feel relaxed and happy. Everything that was boiling up had vanished from her body, she rose up to her feet.

Lilith finished up by washing her hair and body she got out and dried herself off. She returned to her bedroom and put on a fresh pair of pyjamas. Feeling peckish, she walked into the kitchen and rummaged her cupboards and fridge for something. All she could eat was a natural yoghurt pot which she found in her fridge. The rest of the food items were to prepare or cook which she was not in the mood to do.

Sighing to herself in disappointment, she knew she needed to go food shopping at some point. She had a few edible foods in her home. But being low on money was not going to help her. She knew bills came first and herself second. She knew her parents were always happy to help her out when she was in trouble. But she did not want to rely on them. She kept promising herself she was going to be independent.

That was the whole reason she stayed in this city… to get away from them. To try and live her life on her own find a good paying job and possibly settle down when she was ready. That is if she ever could feel ready again, but, Lilith was not going to drown in that again. Eating away at her yoghurt, she smiled with the silver spoon in her mouth. She went over to her wooden record player, which was sat on a small wooden table.

She rummaged through her collection of records inside an old card board box. They ranged from metal, rock and pop from various solo artist and bands, she loved her music. Finally finding one she had not listened to in a while. She lifted the clear lid that protected it from dust and placed it gently on the turntable. Slowly and gently she moved the needle (which is on an axis) over the record, placing it on the outermost part of the record.

Once the needle was over the record, she used the small lever on the base of the needle and pressed down to lower it onto the record. She played an album called Mob Rules it began to play and she turned up the volume. Lilith bobbed her head to the beat and lyrics whilst still eating her yoghurt. She looked around her large room, which was split into two. To the left was the living room and to the right was the kitchen.

She saw her empty bags and various items that she planned to sell on the market tomorrow. She walked over to them and sorted out which items she planned to sell. Lilith really needed to make a profit tomorrow, if she could. She was spending more money on making her items, than selling them which she could not afford to keep doing. Sorting out the items into two bags, she smiled; happy she had one less task to do.

She hoped she would make some sales and decided to call it a night. She wanted to get up as early as she could tomorrow to get a place on the market. She placed her used spoon in the sink and empty pot in the bin. Turning off her record player and lowering the lid back down. She placed the record back into its paper sleeve and made her way to her small bedroom.

Getting inside her duvet, she set an alarm for as early as possible the next morning and pulled up the cool sheets. Shivering from the cold, she could only hope she warmed up soon as slowly drifted off in a deep slumber.

Chapter 3 July

Hi Everyone

I hoped you enjoyed chapter 2 of my story. Please leave a comment if you like to let me know what you think of the story so far and my character. Plus, if you think I should continue or not.

Till next CherryKunoichiTenTen