Ðęcīsīøn

~5~

Harley's instincts took over as she dragged herself further into the embers of the burning building. In a few minutes it would collapse under the weight of the tiled roof but she didn't care. She felt the need to save the child. She never thought she would be now, in a burning building, that was her choice. One that she may regret, or may even die over, but at least it was her choice to make.

The smoke began to thicken, causing the clown couple to lose vision. The petrified wail of the baby could be heard above them. So Harley reached her hands out, gliding her fingertips along the ground in an attempt to find a staircase. The heat was becoming unbearable and she began to feel a thin layer of sweat form on her forehead.

The Joker too was beginning to feel the heat as he followed his Queen through the smoke.

Harley's hands finally felt a solid raised step, leading to the second floor where the baby was being kept. She slid one hand after the other, keeping her knees at the pace and soon enough she had reached the top. The flames could be seen in the corner of the room, a large hole had also taken up the middle of the floor.

Then there she saw it. The dust-filled cot sat in one of the corners. Numerous other cots had been consumed by the fire or had collapsed. Harley took this as a sign, that this baby was a survivor. And that it would survive for years to come. With her last steps she crawled over with J still at her heels.

She carefully raised herself off her knees. Bending down and lifting the baby from the cot she began to panic. The staircase had become engulfed by the flames so the only other option to escape was the window. But the window sat untouched on the far side of the room. Harley and The Joker would have to jump across the large hole in the floor before reaching it.

J looked around but saw no other way out of this mess. He knew Harley wanted a child for a long time but didn't know she would risk her life for one. He stood up and grabbed the baby from her, squeezing her hand he dragged her farther from the hole, motioning for her to take a run up and jump first.

She hesitated for a moment, feeling him beside her holding the precious child. With a hitched breath she ran, whilst straining to not cough. Her eyes began to water as the smoke slipped through the slits in between her eyelids. She leapt when she felt the edge of the gaping floorboards beneath her feet. She opened her eyes for a split second, seeing the window come into view. She landed safely on the other side with a sigh. Relief washing over her.

But now it was The Jokers turn. He was so tempted to just drop the child into the burning and cracking flames but for some reason he couldn't muster up the strength. He could just run away with Harley. She could whine and cry for a few days but then it would pass. What was he even going to do with a baby in the house anyways? Look after it? Bring it to business meetings? No.

He stepped forward holding the child in both hands before him. He stared at it. Examining its blonde hair with bright green eyes. It's not like its life would matter anyways. If Harley and him hadn't come into the building it would have been dead already. But his hands wouldn't let go. As much as he hated this hesitation he couldn't drop it.

So, taking as much steps backwards before touching the wall he set off into a sprint. He jumped, grasping tightly to the child's head in one arm as he used the other to balance himself. He landed on the other side with a thud as the floorboards squeaked under his weight.

He coughed violently beside Harley as they rushed over to the window. She pulled it open, sticking her head out for the fresh air she missed. She glanced down, it was about a 6ft drop. It was possible, but maybe not with a child in her hands. But J wouldn't have a chance, he wasn't skilled in agility or gymnastics like Harley was.

She held onto the frame, easing herself out before dropping delicately to the ground, ending with a roll to balance out the impact. She darted her eyes up to see J looking down with the baby still held protectively against his chest.

"Pass it down!" She yelled up. Hoping he wouldn't leave the baby. She saw him hesitate before he jumped over the hole. Tears had formed in her eyes but she managed to wipe them away before he landed on the other side.

He leant his stomach on the window sill as he lowered the child. It was still crying but less deafening now. Harley just managed to reach it on her tiptoes, pulling it close to her heart, shushing it immediately with her soft voice.

The green haired clown looked down the street as sirens were heard. Red flashing lights could be seen in the distance. Just before he could take his turn to jump out of the window the floor beneath him snapped under his weight and strain from the immense fire below.

Harley screamed as he disappeared from sight, being replaced by large flames seeping out of the open window.
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Well that took a turn for the worst...

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