There's A New Joker in Town

Teen Titans

                  I awoke the next morning, my mind caught in a state of dementia. The world around me was obscured and I could indistinctly see the silhouette of a dark figure staring down at me, howling with laughter and gripping a sharp knife. My heart pumped fearfully with pounding blood that rushed to my brain and made me dizzy.  In the very back of my mind I could tell what was happening. The doctors gave me medicine to take in case this ever happened. In case I ever had a cerebral attack. I would get those while in the institution and they’d lock me down. They’d tie me into a straight jacket and claim they were protecting me because I was so ‘out of it’ that I would attack anything in sight out of pure rage and confusion. With outreached hands, I groped the wall to find my way to the bathroom, desperate to end what was happening to me. The figure in my delusional vision was following me now, taunting, and swinging his knife everywhere. I ducked as it narrowly missed nicking me by my jugular.

He knew what he was doing. He wanted me to dead and he knew just how to make it happen. In the bathroom, the pill bottle sat on the countertop. I opened it and popped a pill into my mouth. Within five minutes my vision began to clear and I trusted myself enough to dress and drive to work. After checking in, I was led to my office by a willing co-worker. I had the feeling he wanted more than just a newcomer’s friendship by the way he consistently ogled my chest and the constant feeling of something sweeping across my behind. There it goes again. “Jared, could you, you know, stop?” I uncomfortably asked, gently moving his hand away. “Stop what? I’m not doing anything.” I know I’m not imagining this. He’s lying. Liars should die. Liars should pay. I shook my head. No, I wanted the bad thoughts to go away. They weren’t supposed to be there; they weren’t supposed to exist. I felt a slight pinch on my butt and jumped. “Jared, stop or I’ll call security.” He looked surprised. “I assure you, Deliah, I’m not doing anything. Are you okay?” Liar. I glared at him with steely eyes. We came to my room and I opened the door. “Deliah? Are you okay?” The door was slightly ajar as I peered stonily at him from the fringes of my dark office. Liar. I hope you die. You deserve to die, Jared. Die, and never come back. I closed the door.

A soft knock came at the door and I looked up from the hefty stack of paper work on my desk. “Come in,” I called. Bruce walked in carrying a white bag of what I assumed to be the lunch I’d asked for twenty minutes ago. He handed it to me. “The meals were switched up.” “Merci”. I grabbed the bag and went back to my papers. When I didn’t hear the door close I looked up to see Bruce sitting in a chair across from my desk, looking quite comfortable and relaxed. “Bruce, is there something I can help you with? I don’t too much like eating while people stare.” He smiled and lifted his eyebrows in a humorous gesture. “I just thought I’d see how you were adjusting to the new environment. Any problems? Concerns? Wishes? Ideas?” I set my pen down and gave him full attention and leaned back into my seat. “I’m getting the feeling you need to talk about something. Yes, I know we just met and that you’re my boss, but I’m here whenever you need me. I treat everyone the same and in my book, you’re not too much different from everyone else here besides the family background and the working status that you hold. I noticed that you were talking to a woman on the phone yesterday.

A girlfriend I would presume? I would suppose you two are having love difficulties. What can I help you with?” He stared blankly astonished at my evaluation. “I’m a great observer.” He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of how to respond. “Well, we sort of had a fight last night about---“ “What you hold more important, work or her? I’d say it’s pretty clear that you choose her. You seem to really love her.” His facial expression was downcast. “I do; I just can’t get her to understand that. She thinks I’m lying.” She’s afraid. She doesn’t want to get hurt anymore. Not after last time. Not anymore. It’s too painful to bear. “She’s afraid. Maybe she has a consequential past that’s lead to present issues? With enough convincing confabulations, I think she may come around.” “Do you use…big words a lot, Deliah?” A small smile graced my lips. “Yes, yes I do.”

At least an hour and a half later, I’d gotten Bruce’s number in case he needed to talk and shared my lunch with him. He left the room wearing a face depicting relief. When I got off work, I walked slowly to an open café a block away from Wayne Corporations. I ordered a double latte with extra whipped cream and sat down with my laptop to research a file due soon.  I took out the portfolio Bruce had handed me. He wanted me to research Jump City and consult with him on the possibility of constructing another Wayne Enterprises there. I clicked on the ‘WELCOME’ page on the city website and saw a picture of their famed superheroes, the Teen Titans. I thought superheroes only existed in the movies. I looked further into their background and the history of the city. So an alien, half demon, cyborg, mutant, and a human? Yeah, this is totally choreographed. It’s like something out of a movie. I finished my research and packed up to leave. I wonder, if we put a corporation there; would people come because of the publicity of the Titans or because of Bruce?

Hi guys! Sorry it's so short, but I didn't know what else to put. BUT, I do have a question for all of you; would you or would you not like to include the Teen Titans in this story? If so, please either comment below or message me. And if you have any ideas as to make this story more appealing and run smoother, please let me know. Merci!