The Scarred

Chapter 9

"You okay, Penny?" Emma questioned, seeing the woman in question begin to nod off. She quickly sat up and rapidly blinked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't get much sleep, that's all." She responded, which wasn't really a lie at all. Liam had tried to convince her to call in to take the day off, but Penelope couldn't do that to Emma. That and she worried it would come off as suspicious since she rarely ever does it, and even more so given recent events that have been occurring at the shop itself.

"Is something bothering you, hun?" Emma asked gently, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"No, I'm okay," She turned to face her. "Promise." She smiled, and thankfully it was returned before the older woman walked away. Penelope let out a sigh of relief, massaging her temple.

They received more customers than usual that day, thankfully. It helped to both keep her awake and distract her from her thoughts, which grew to be a harder task as of late. By the time the work day drew to a close, Penny was practically sleepwalking. Zombified and depleted of energy, she waved off Emma in a goodbye before she turned to leave.

As she passed an alleyway, thinking all was well and would finally return home to relax, she gasped when something snatched her jacket and pulled her in.

"I did some thinking - y'know?" A familiar voice tossed up her stomach with nerves. She turned to look up at the painted face that greeted her - however much of a greeting it was.

"You scared the hell out of me!" She whisper-yelled in exasperation, her adrenaline throwing all caution to the wind regardless of who was in front of her.

"I think you oughtta have these than myself." He continued on, completely ignoring what she said. She looked down and saw the handgun and knives from last night.

"You couldn't have done that last night rather than snatching me and giving me a heart attack?"

"You're alive, aren't cha?" The Joker dismissed as if it was the most simple thing. Penelope couldn't help but roll her eyes to his amusement and he hummed.

"Gettin' a little bold after last night, don't cha think?" His voice was flat, yet somehow still held a joking undertone. Penelope grew fidgety, mentally slapping herself for forgetting who she was talking to.

"I'm sorry, it's been a long day." She nearly whispered with a downcast gaze.

"Ah, I'm just messing with ya, doll!" The Joker cackled. "But seriously, take these, I don't want em." She greatly hesitated before gently taking them from his hands, looking at them for a moment and putting them in her satchel.

"Thank you -"

"I'm going to give a wild guess and say you don't have a single gun at your place?"

"I mean, I don't, but -"

"Ah-ta-ta-ta." He cut her off, placing a finger over her lips.

"Don't got time for chit-chat, toots, but uh -" He looked around for a second before leaning in closer to her as if he was telling a secret. "We can save that for later, hm?" He winked with a click of his tongue and gave her a couple of small pats on her head before turning to leave. "Don't wait up for me!" He hollered over his shoulder and disappeared off to who knew where with a skip.

Penelope just stood in the alleyway confused as ever for the umpteenth time. If she wasn't awake before, she definitely was now. She turned to make her way back to the main sidewalk, this time bumping into someone else.

"Oi, there ye are!"

"For fuck's sake!" She gasped once again, hand over her chest. Liam frowned and steadied her.