We'll Laugh Together

Chapter Nine

'What else does he have planned?' Aniyah thought, struggling a bit in the chair she was duct taped to, 'Did he even plan this? What is he trying to prove this time?' She glanced at Mrs. Arkham who stared back at Aniyah with frantic, terrified eyes. Aniyah looked around and glanced at The Joker's jacket. 'Grab the switchblade and cut the tape.' She started to move her chair towards the jacket.

"Don't do anything stupid."

Aniyah gave Dr. Arkham a sharp glare, "I'd rather not sit here and wait for what he does next." She snapped, glancing at him.

"So you'd rather test his patience instead?"

"Look we don't know what's going to happen here. If we sit here and wait, one of us might die. If I manage to escape, I might die. Either way, someone is going to die, you can play out every scenario any way you want." Aniyah explained.

"You're basing this on a 'might'?" Dr. Arkham asked.

"Might, won't, will, what does it matter, he's unpredictable! Even a doctor as good as you couldn't see this coming." She said, referring to their current predicament.

"I see why the clown likes you. You're crazy too." Lyle mumbled.

"There are no sane writers if you think I'm crazy. Unlike you, we're open minded." Aniyah shot back, "I didn't willingly get duct taped to this chair."

"What is he even doing in there?" Dr. Arkham looked over towards the kitchen as Aniyah still worked on getting the switchblade.

"Who knows. I don't want to wait and find out." She managed to free her dominant hand. Aniyah made it to The Joker's jacket and dug in his pocket for the switchblade. She felt the handle and grabbed onto it, her hope rising.

"Hand out of the pocket, Ani-yah." The Joker finally came out of the kitchen making Aniyah curse under her breath. She looked at him then quickly looked away as he slammed a dead body onto the dining room table. The Joker glanced at Aniyah and walked over to her, gripping her wrist tightly, "Let it go-ah." He ordered.

Aniyah hesitantly let go of the switchblade and pulled her hand out of the pocket, "Now just sit here and be good, doll." The Joker moved Aniyah's chair the other side of the dimly lit dining room and put duct tape over her mouth. "Hm," He eyed her before burying into her neck, earning a muffled yelp from her as he inhaled deeply. "You smell nice." The Joker chuckled, feeling Aniyah's pulse begin to race before pulling away. "Lyle. You have the most important job." He got up and walked over to Dr. Arkham, putting tape over his mouth as well. "You get to record." He said.

"Why do you want to record all of this?" Lyle asked.

"Oh, no reason. Start recording." The Joker ordered.

Lyle rolled his eyes and turned the camera on.

"Good. You're doing fine Lyle. Just keep your hands on the camera, and don't try anything. Or I'm going to cut one of them." The Joker smirked at Aniyah as she glared back.

"I'll cut her." He looked at Mrs. Arkham.

"Excuse me, Larry." He pushed the dead body off of the table. "Bonjour, belle." He nodded at Aniyah. " Bonjour, madame. Bonjour, monsieur." He nodded at Mrs. Arkham, then Dr. Arkham, "Welcome to Cafe de Arkham. As you can see, I'll be preparing dinner tonight, since I've given your chef the night off." The Joker looked at Dr. Arkham. "Do you know what you would like to order?" He took the tape off of Dr. Arkham's mouth. Aniyah looked at Mrs. Arkham, signaling her to try and calm down. She's been letting out muffled screams and cries the entire time and it's only making things more entertaining for The Joker.