(UNDERGOING REWRITE) Crime & Chaos [ ᴊᴏᴋᴇʀ ]

Chapter 9: Through the Lens

Crime & Chaos

" THROUGH THE LENS "

by alwaysgeia

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The Joker walked past her as she lifted herself up. He sat down and patted the space next to him on the couch. "Come. Sit with me."

Julie stood her ground, defiance flashing in her eyes. The Joker's smile faltered, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. In a heartbeat, he lunged, grabbing her and yanking her onto his lap with a strength that sent a jolt of fear through her.

Julie screamed, her body thrashing in his grip. His breath, hot and unnervingly calm, brushed against her neck, his hold tight and unyielding. She wrenched herself away, revulsion twisting her features as she landed on the floor. The Joker's laughter echoed through the room, a sinister symphony of amusement.

"Feisty," he purred, his eyes dancing with malevolent delight. "Tell you what, sweetheart. Sit next to me, and I promise I won't do anything... untoward."

Julie glared at him, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to escape the nightmare that had invaded her life. But the reality of her situation settled like a heavy weight on her shoulders—she was trapped, with no choice but to comply for now. Reluctantly, she inched onto the edge of the couch, positioning herself as far from him as possible.

The Joker leaned back, watching her with a predatory gaze. "There we go. Much better," he crooned. "See? Cooperation isn't so hard, is it?"

Julie's skin crawled at his proximity. She kept her eyes fixed on a spot on the wall, refusing to meet his gaze. He shuffled closer to her, a subtle movement that didn't go unnoticed by Julie.

She looked at him uncertainly, wondering what his next move would be. Maybe if I stayed quiet and unmoving, he wouldn't hurt me.

He raised his hand, and she flinched, but instead of striking her like she expected, he placed it softly on her thigh. Or, at least, what was soft in his mind. His calloused hands felt like a cactus on her leg, pricking the skin and causing goose bumps.

"What are you doing?"

He rubbed her thigh up and down slowly, seemingly mesmerised by the action. It was the softest thing he had felt in a long time—even petting a cat didn't have the same effect on him.

"Mind your business."

Julie tilted her head, a disbelieving look on her face. It was her business. It was her leg!

Apparently, it was very obvious how she felt about the whole thing because he let out a wheeze, a grin stretching across his face.

"Lighten up, toots. What's got your knickers in a twist?"

"A psychopath is fondling my leg," said Julie bluntly. But she didn't dare move his hand, afraid of what he might do next.

The Joker's grin widened. "Oh, is that all?" He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "Could be worse, you know."

"How could it possibly be worse?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Well," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I could be fondling something else." He burst into laughter at his own joke, the sound echoing around the room.