Brink of Madness

The Man with a Plan

For the past three days Harleen had come home to the Joker sitting on her couch. Nothing much had happened, they would just have conversations and she found out about his plan to take down the mayor. She had gotten death threats from him a couple times; what's new?  Today was a little different. She had gotten home from work and he wasn't there. It was both a relief and a little bit puzzling. She made a bowl of soup and sat down on her couch. She turned on the news to find a very familiar character on the screen.

"I have your precious accountant. And he's gonna die Mr. Mayor," the Joker howled and the clip ended. The news anchor reappeared to deliver the disappointing news that Mr. Mooney was found dead.

"The Mayor is working on a plan to not only save himself, but to keep the city safe from this monster," the anchor said. The door swung open. Harleen looked over the couch to see the Joker standing in the doorframe. He had blood on his coat and his hair was wet with sweat. He did not look like he was in a good mood.

"Why do you have to go and do these type of things," she pointed to the tv.

"Because I'm showing off Gotham's true colors," he responded, "Plus it's just so much fun."

"Then why do you look so angry?"

"Don't ask," he mumbled and kicked his shoes off. She shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the tv.

"Luckily the mayor is still being hidden," the newscaster said.

"Turn the tv off," he commanded.

"Why?" she asked.

"Turn it off!" He raised his voice and pulled out a knife. She immediately grabbed the remote and turned it off. He sat down on the couch.

"Is that why you're mad? Because you couldn't get his location out of his accountant?" she decided to test him.

"You know, you ask way too many questions," he lunged at her with his knife. Harleen sunk under his body. His knife was at her throat.

"I don't know why I haven't killed you yet," he licked his lips.

"I don't know why either," she flat out stated. He was a bit stunned with her response.

"Would you really like it if I dragged this across your throat?" he pressed the knife a little into her throat. It didn't cut her but made her gag. She stared at him.

"Do it," she challenged him. She waited as he silently decided what to do.

"I don't take orders from anyone, especially you," he whispered and got up. She sat up and rubbed her throat. He put his shoes back on.

"You know you're getting closer Harleen," he said opening her door back up.

"Closer to what?" she asked.

"To being like me," he grinned.