DARK KNIGHT

‘i’ll make you something, yeah? your favorite dish, just for you.’

‘let’s get you back to bed.’

‘shh, it was just a nightmare.’

‘you like this, don’t you? i remember you saying that.’

‘i drew up a bath for you.’

‘you need rest.’

‘you ought to be asleep.’

‘i bought two.’

‘here. you can have the rest.’

‘i thought of you when i saw this.’

‘i like your smile.’

‘you have a cute laugh.’

‘stay there. i’m coming there to get you.’

‘it’s okay, i’m here, we’re okay.’

‘be careful.’

‘look both ways.’

‘you mean so much to me.’

‘i can’t lose you.’

‘i thought i might have lost you.’

‘how to you feel about the nickname, (insert nickname)?’

‘it looks good on you.’

‘i’ll make you soup.’

‘ah-ah-ah. you’re sick. you need to stay in bed.’

‘are you okay in there?’

‘that’s it, that’s it. get it all out. shh.’

‘it’s a remedy i knew. helps with your throat.’

‘it’s a lullaby. would you like me to sing it to you? would that help you fall asleep?’

‘i’m worried about you.’

‘what do you want to watch?’

‘where would you like to go for dinner?’

‘close your eyes and hold out your hands.’

‘we’ll figure it out.’

‘oh, it’s not big deal. you’re fine.’

‘i brought you some medicine for your cold.’

‘you’re important to me.’

‘this is your favorite song, right?’

‘you’re like a son/daughter to me.’

‘good luck!’

‘you’re like a mom/dad to me.’

‘don’t say that about yourself.’

‘want to come with?’

“wow! you look really nice.’

‘goodnight, (insert term of affection).’

‘it’s okay. i couldn’t sleep anyway.’

‘you can have half.’

‘come here. let me fix it.’

‘your tie is crooked.’

‘c’mere. shh, it’s okay.’

‘i’m not going to hurt you.’

‘can i touch you?’

‘can i kiss you?’

‘can i hug you?’

‘promise.’

‘would i ever lie to you?’

‘i think you’re very beautiful/handsome.’

‘hey, good-looking.’

‘of course i care. you’re my family.’

‘one more chapter.’

      Oh, were it that easy. No, it couldn’t be, that was part of his point, and everything would soon play neatly into his hands. Of course it would. 

It had to. 

The microphone felt heavier in his hand than anything before it. Something about tonight reminded him of that night, their fated first encounter, though the details grew ever the more fuzzy with age. He remembered her ears, mostly – it must have been a phase the Batwoman had been going through, but he found the most resemblance in a tragic irony; that she was the one backed into a corner, though it wouldn’t be for long. 

“ Imagine that – “ His voice came back to life from within the speakers, with no absence of the manic energy it’s always had. “ The so-called world’s greatest detective asking for the answer! Oh, I think you know where she is, Bratwoman.. but where’s the fun in me telling you? You’re just going to have to figure it out on your own. “ His fingers clench and extend above a jury-rigged control panel, the leather in his glove stretching as he wiggles the digits above a specifically red colored button. “ Oh, but I’d watch my step if I were you. these old buildings can be full of all kinds of nasty.. SURPRISES. “ 

After telegraphing the attack, the pasty madman flicks a switch and slams his readied fist on the red button. In an instant the room is black, only to be lit up abruptly with flashing red and green brights from the floors. The former toy’s storehouse had been made into a morbid funhouse of the joker’s own design and plastered in grim carnival decor, and thorough the rapid flashing the Bat would be able to make out that the walls were crudely coated in decrepit novelties and mindless cryptic messages. Then her senses are assaulted again by an atonal screeching, vaguely resembling a human voice blasting from speakers at all angles. Suddenly a gargantuan mallet swings from the ceiling at the Joker’s plaything, the creaking warning barely audible under the cover of the sound. 

The mallet left very little room below it as it’s momentum drove it quickly towards the vigilante, leading her into a quickly narrowing hallway leading further into the madman’s funhouse, and, without a doubt, more of his twisted games.

     He had to be up within the main office of the building and through his own confirmation, so was Montoya. If he was keeping her within arms reach, then he was in it for the long haul. This game was intended to be played to its end and who knew what would be waiting when she finally arrived there.

     ‘Surprises.’ She hated surprises.

     As lights burst to life, the decor job that had been done came to full view. It was an aesthetic she was far too familiar with to read too far into. The Bat resists covering her ears at the sharp sound that sparks from the speakers. An effort to distract. She knew that well. The real danger was from...above.

     The movement was caught from the corner of her eye, large and heavy, as it fell from the ceiling towards her. The sound it made as it cut the air was nearly masked by the mess that spewed from the warehouse speakers. A giant hammer was hardly a surprise but she didn’t have much room to criticize. In fact, she had little room for anything, leaving her having to turn and run towards the only exit available. A hallway. A path further into Joker’s newest house of horror. (Surely the anticipation could just kill her.) It was just wide enough but she doubted the close knit walls would be as deadly as the giant mallet that was threatening to flatten her. That would be far too easy for him.

     She slides into the space at an angle, straightening out and moving just quickly enough to get in a few feet as the mallet slammed mercilessly against the wall. Lifting an arm, she shields her face from the rush of air the force thrust through the space and after reassuring her momentary safety, she moves through towards the end of the hallway, treading carefully. At least she didn’t lose her cape this time. Slipping free, another room revealed itself. And almost immediately, lips curl into a sharp scowl. The room was large, the ledge she was one laying just above the ‘water line’ of the pit of colorfully assorted plastic balls that filled it. No doubt each with their own nasty and killer surprise inside. On the other side of the expanse, the exit.

Hello, guys, gals & non-binary buds! It’s I, Karasu, with yet another blog ( surprise surprise )! Do you enjoy the idea of the Joker reforming? Like the thought of Joker having a backstory? Enjoy the premise of Joker being more human? The thought of Batman helping Joker with therapy and recovery? Well then, Edward “Eddie” Hanson – formerly Joker – might just interest you! While he IS reformed, that doesn’t mean he’ll succeed: there’s always a chance he may slip into old ways.