The Joker and the Queen

PART I: DENIAL

Chatterbox was in the waiting room of the hospital, and so was everybody else. But, he kept quiet, kept to himself. Since Bobby Beldrum wasn't part of the New Clown Order anymore, he, as the King along with Party Hardy decreed that he wouldn't be protected by any of the clowns. At first, they were concerned that Sooty would protect him still. But, she just shook her head and looked away. They called the cops on him but he went missing before they could even catch him.

The truth was, Bozo caught him outside of the smelter, trying to escape. He, along with Wendy, Pockets, and Snuffles, kidnapped him on their own. He knew Chatterbox wouldn't be able to answer. So, he called Kirk, Sooty, and Twinkles to let them know that they had Bobby. As soon as Chatterbox found out, he wanted to join. But, he was more worried about Ray's state. So, he waited with her family.

"Miss Mond is currently induced into a comatose," Dr. Monte Ramos declared, "We will be monitoring her situation overnight. If by tomorrow, she can breathe on her own, we can let you know if she's out of the woods."

"And, if she's not?" Chatterbox muttered, "Breathing on her own by tomorrow?"

Dr. Ramos kept quiet. To be truthful, he was sad, too. He had gotten attached to the two of them. But, his silence indicated the dangers of what could happen if Ray didn't breathe on her own by tomorrow. Chatterbox nodded to himself before standing up. He looked down on himself and realized that he was still covered in blood, her blood. He clenched his jaws underneath the mask and walked out of the hospital, planning on teaching Bobby a lesson... and, maybe even SK. He hasn't decided yet.

Vinny sighed, sitting down in the waiting room right beside April with her knees bouncing up and down in worry. Novah remained silent, patting his shoulder to try and help him calm down. He knew K and Ramee were already handling the possible rift between Chang Gang and The Manor. He wanted to worry about that, too. But, his mind was filled with worry about his little one's state.

"She'll be fine," April's usually strong voice wavered.

Vinny just nodded in response.

– – – – – 

"Careful," Vinny almost yelled at Ray Mond as she almost tripped herself on a stray piece of clothing that April was packing up for the two of them She was discharged from the hospital not too long ago and Vinny brought her to the house that she bought with her and their other friends. He helped her sit on the bed as she silently stared at the ground.

After the whole debacle, Max focused on the farm with Sooty and taking over the moonshine business while Chatty was preoccupied, Kitty fully moved in with Octo and Yuno, Timothy took his responsibilities with The Guild more seriously, and Eli... well, he was okay and alive, living the life as Yappy the Clown. They visited her at the hospital once in a while, keeping her in the loop with whatever was going on in their lives.

Yuno came with Lottie every single day, bringing her snacks and get-well-soon gifts. They'd talk to her all the time but she wouldn't respond. Vinny and April slept at the hospital every single night with a few Chang Gang members and NCO clowns dropping in for the two of them to rest during the daytime. Everyone visited her... but, Chatty didn't. He couldn't. He felt as if it was his fault that she got hurt despite everyone else telling him otherwise.

"April, if you don't pack your shit up–," Vinny started to say but April cut him off.

"I'm packing! I'm packing, geez," April took the clothing off the ground and threw it haphazardly into the luggage, "Can't I just have someone buy me new clothes instead of packing it all up?"

"April..." Vinny sighed.

"I'm kidding," April muttered, "I like all my clothes."

Vinny's phone rang and he came out of the room to answer it. April glanced at her gworl and pursed her lips. Ever since she woke up, Ray barely spoke a word. She did once and just said, "I'm fine." But, that was it. She never opened her mouth to speak after that. Dr. Ramos said that Ray must have been too traumatized and shocked to even utter a word.