chapter 2: there's something fun

I hear it before I see it—the slow creak of a door opening down the hall. Then, a voice. His voice.

"Hello there."

My blood runs cold

The Joker steps into view, his grin wide, his head tilting slightly as his cold blue eyes scan me.

I freeze.

This isn't a panel in a comic book. This isn't a voice actor on a screen. This is the real thing.

"Cat got your tongue?" He chuckles, his voice dripping with amusement. "Or are you just too starstruck?"

I swallow hard. My mind tells me to run, but my body doesn't move. Every instinct I have screamed at me that I'm in danger. This isn't a villain in a story. This is a monster, standing right in front of me.

And he's interested in me.

"Come on now," the Joker sighs, stepping closer. "You're not like the usual nutjobs they throw in here. You look... aware. That's interesting."

My fists clench. If I say the wrong thing, I'm dead.

If I say nothing, I might be worse than dead.

Joker watches me with amusement, then suddenly, his expression shifts—just for a second. His grin fades ever so slightly, and his eyes narrow, like he's searching for something.

He leans in. "You know something, don't you?"

I force myself to breathe.

Joker's grin stretches like he can see through me. I keep my face blank, but my mind is racing. He's watching. Studying. Testing.

"Not much of a talker, huh?" he muses, circling me. "That's okay. We'll fix that."

I feel my pulse hammering in my ears. I need to say something—anything—to turn this situation in my favor.

"I don't belong here." My voice is steady, but my throat is dry.

Joker stops. Then laughs. Loud and sudden, like I just told the funniest joke in the world.

"Oh, kid…" He wipes a fake tear from his eye. "That's the best thing I've heard all week! You don't belong here? Neither do I! Neither does Batsy! But here we are!"

He spreads his arms, motioning to the cold walls of Arkham like he's welcoming me home.

I don't react. I can't.

Joker's face shifts again—too fast, too unnatural. He leans in close, his breath warm and sickly against my skin.

"But you… you're different, aren't you?" His voice drops to a whisper. "You're just like me , you see things differently."

I don't answer.

Joker hums, tapping a gloved finger against his chin. Then, suddenly—pain.

A sharp, electrifying jolt burns through my skull as a fist slams against the side of my face. I hit the floor, my vision blurring. Damn it.

I taste blood.

"You know," Joker sighs, crouching beside me, "I like puzzles. And you, my friend, are my new favorite one."

I struggle to push myself up, my head spinning. I have to think. I need to figure out why I'm here, and how to get out of this shitty situation

Joker's grin never fades, but there's something behind his eyes now—curiosity. Like a child inspecting a new toy, wondering how long before it breaks.

"You're different," he muses, tapping his fingers against his knee. "Most people scream more by now. Cry a little. But you… you're holding back. I love a good mystery."

I stay silent. My body is screaming in pain, but my mind is focused. I need to get out of here.

Joker suddenly claps his hands. "Well! I think I've had my fun for now. Don't go anywhere, stranger." He winks. "Not that you have a choice."

Then—the lights flicker.

A buzzing sound. The faintest whiff of something chemical in the air.

Joker leans in, his voice barely a whisper.

"Breathe deep. You'll love what happens next."

A sharp hiss fills the room. My vision was distorted. My body feels heavy.

I try to fight it, but everything fades to black.

And Joker?

He just keeps laughing.