Song of a Trickster

Chapter 13

Devyn's POV

As I walked round to meet Shane and Millie someone crashed into me, hugging me tightly. I froze, 

"Your back.."A voice said, 

I turned and saw the red hair and piercings, my body then relaxed, 

"Hey Jamie" I smiled, 

He pulled away to walk in front of me so I can face him. Cupping my face he leaned in and kissed me. Shock ran through me but I wrapped my arms around me and kissed him back slightly, I can hear cheers, whistling and clapping behind me, 

"what?"I chuckled once he pulled away, 

"They know because of the report I had to write about the last time I saw you"

"ahh," I nod, 

Looking at Millie she winked at me, I laughed but it didn't feel quite real but I shook it off and took Jamie's hand in mine. 

"Shall we head back to mine then?"Millie asks us all, 

I nod and Jamie smiles, 

"I'm driving!!"Shane announces skipping away, 

"dude you're the only one who can!"I tease, 

Millie and Jamie laugh. 

The next day Jamie takes me to lunch in a cute little cafe,

"so he wasn't being nuts around you?"He asks me, 

I roll my eyes and look up, 

"He was but he didn't..hurt me..."

I trail off as I spot something on the television in the corner, the Batman hanging, as a News camera broadcasts the news, framed by a graphic that reads 'BATMAN DEAD?'. The image cuts to a reporter in the studio.

"...Police released video footage found concealed on the body. Sensitive viewers are aware: it is disturbing."

It then changes to a blindfolded man, wearing a makeshift Batman costume- face bruised and bloody. In some kind of bright, fluorescent-lit room.

"Tell them your name."A raspy voice says, 

I recognise that voice, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, 

"Brian Douglas."He says weakly,

"Are you the real Batman?"

"No."

"No? No?! Hahaha! Why do you dress up like him then?"The cameraman cackles, 

I turn to Jamie whos face shows pure shock, "Jamie, it's him."

I look back up to the tv, 

"He's a symbol... that we don't have to be afraid of scum like you..."

"who?"Jamie asks dumbly,

"Joker!"I exclaim as quiet as I could, 

"But you do, Brian. You really do. You think the Batman's helped Gotham?"

Brian nods uncertainly...

"Look at me, "Brian looks down, "LOOK AT ME!"

I see Jamie flinch, but I don't. 

Brian looks up- the camera swings into the face of the Joker, in chalk-white makeup, a red smear of lipstick on his scars.

"This is how crazy Batman's made Gotham. You want order in Gotham? Batman has to go. So..." He leans into the camera, "Batman must take off his mask, and turn himself in every day he doesn't... people will die. Starting tonight. I'm a man of my word!"