No Rest for the Wicked || The Joker's Daughter { ON HIATUS}

Chapter 11: Rebirth

     Mary sat in her hospital bed, staring at the blank wall in front of her. Eli was there, as he had been every day since her fall, though she barely took any notice. It didn't seem to matter like it used to. Nothing did. 

     A knock at the open door got the attention of them both and there stood Harley. "Hiya." She spoke softly. Her blonde hair had been slicked back in a high ponytail and her clothes were baggy, yet not unflattering. She looked to be doing better than the last time they'd seen each other. "Harley. Hey, come in." Eli stood, reaching a hand out for her to shake. She didn't. Instead, she made her way to her daughter's bedside. "May I have some time alone with Mary?" "Oh, Uh, yeah... Sure." He looked to Mary, searching for any hint of hesitation. There was none. 

     As soon as the door shut, Harley spoke, taking a seat where Eli had been. "What was it you wanted to talk about, Kid?" "Dad." Mary replied, turning to look her mother in the eyes. "What was he like? I mean, really like." Harley paused a moment, almost as if reminiscing. "He was a man like no other. Handsome, brave, exciting... Funny as hell." The two shared a small laugh at the last description. "He really did have a just goal. It was all to make the world smile and not take everything so serious like that damn bat. His brooding nature is not what the world is destined to inherit." 

     Mary opened her mouth to speak but felt a jolt surge throughout her body. "Mary..." She could hear Aidan's voice before a cackling laughter. She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head side to side. Once she opened them, however, all the sterile white decor had been replaced with grungy green and purple ones. Harley sat there, dressed in her original Harlequin getup. "M-Mom?..." Harley simply stared back at her, a grin slowly stretching across her face. That's when Mary was consumed by a fit of laughter, so strong that her belly ached. Clawing at her face, she could feel the immovable smile settling on her cheeks. Tears stung her eyes, though she continued for what seemed like an hour. 

     Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the fit ceased. "I, um, I'm sorry." Mary looked to the floor. "Don't apologize." Harley smiled, a look of understanding crossing her features. Mary imagined that was the look a normal comforting mother would give her child, though she was unsure. 

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     Weeks passed and Mary's episodes became more frequent and volatile. No one but Harley had witnessed it though and in an attempt to keep it that way, Mary began to isolate herself. She hadn't seen Eli for a week and looking down at her ringing phone, she sent him to voicemail once again. 

     She stared at the box in front of her, retrieved from deep inside her closet. The tapes inside called to her and she found herself unable to rid her mind of them. Taking a deep breath, she rummaged through the tapes, gripping tape B. "Well, let's see what you've got to say this time." It into the VHS player.

     The screen crackled and a familiar maniacal laugh could be heard through it, although distorted. Mary leaned forward to bang on the side of the TV. Then, suddenly, the picture cleared. "Got you!" The Joker grinned, sticking his tongue out.   She rolled her eyes but sat back onto her knees as she eyed the clown through the screen. "So, I take it that you're finally up for the challenge of becoming my true heir!" His voice was teasing. "This brings us to the very first step of your transformation. Your rebirth, if you will." Mary's brow furrowed. She wondered how she could reinvent herself if she hadn't the slightest clue who she was to begin with. 

     "First things first, however. A brand new look isn't cheap. Money, as they say, makes the world go round." He roared in laughter. He went on about her first task, to rob the Gotham City bank. He left the details vague and assured her that she knew what to do, it was in her blood after all. There was but a moment of hesitation before Mary took a deep breath and nodded. This is what her father wanted for her, who was she to deny his dying wish?