You Took Me By Surprise (Joker Fanfic)

8 ~ Killer Clown on the Loose

I didn't feel safe that night, knowing that Arthur was able to get into my apartment somehow. Sophie had offered her couch to me for the night, but I decided to toughen it out and stay at my own place because I didn't want to be a nuisance. The night passed, however, and thankfully nothing happened.
I didn't see him for a few days after that.
I thought about what I should do, or what I would say the next time I met him, but I was at a loss.
One day I was at work, but it was quiet so I went out for a quick cigarette break. I was sauntering around outside the building and noticed a sign on a nearby pole.
"Wanted" was the title. "Killer clown on the loose!"
Holy shit, I thought, as Arthur's profession came into my thoughts. It couldn't be, could it...?
The picture didn't look like Arthur's persona of Carnival though. Carnival was just your typical traditional party clown in appearance, whereas the one pictured here was wearing different makeup, with a very long and twisted smile painted on. This one wasn't wearing a wig either. The facial structure, I thought, had some resemblance to Arthur, but the picture was pretty unclear. Huh.
I stumped my cigarette out of the pole and chucked it into the bin on my way back into work.
About 2 hours later, I glanced out the window and the gaudy costume of Arthur's Carnival caught my eye amongst the dull coloured crowd, holding a sign advertising for a sale in a popular nearby clothing store. He interacted with the passing children so wonderfully: so kind and friendly. And his smile would brighten anyone's day. I mean, if you hadn't been dealing with his very inappropriate behaviour and weren't somewhat suspecting him of murder, that is... he looked so jovial, you really wouldn't think he could be some murdering clown in his spare time. Either way, for my lunch I snuck out when the street on my side got particularly busy, just in case he looked over and saw me. I wanted to avoid him as much as I could for the time being. I hoped he would be finished up work before I was, as I didn't exactly fancy him following me home in the dark, which wouldn't be surprising if he did.
But I got home safe that evening, because he had left before me.
It was obviously still creeping me out living so close to him, who wouldn't be creeped out by that?
Anyway, I got to take my mind off things when Sophie came to hang out in mine for awhile that night. We were having a girly night in, watching a chickflick, painting our nails, and doing facemasks. I was just in the process of the painful task of plucking my eyebrows, while Sophie was laughing at my now watery eyes.
I jumped when there was a knock on the door, and me and Sophie stared at each other, both wondering the same thing.
"Should I answer??" I whispered.
Sophie nodded, "I'm here too anyway, just see who it is".
I opened the door, and Arthur (of course it was) was standing there with a perplexed expression on his face. Maybe because my eyes were still a bit watery, or because my eyebrows were frickin' red where I was plucking them.
"Are you busy?" He asked urgently.
"I'm actually, um, well Sophie's here so yeah I kind of am" I replied nervously.
"Oh right, well, I'll come back another time. Sorry to bother you".
Then Sophie stood up, somewhat attenpting to look tough with her sleeves rolled up and her hands tucked into fists down by her sides. "Maybe you should just stop being a fucking creep and leave (YN) alone". She glared at him. "How the hell did you get into her apartment while she was gone, Arthur? That's fucking ridiculous".
Hearing this, Arthur's expression had changed from one of seriousness and urgency to a softer look. He ran a hand though his unkempt hair.
"That's why I came here. I was going to apologise fo-"
"How", interupted Sophie, "did you get in here? Answer me!"
Arthur stumbled over his words, realising how pissed off both Sophie and I were at him now. "I- the door wasn't locked properly. I was in there making sure nobody noticed and came in to rob something".
Sophie started walking towards him, yelling "why were you even checking to see if the door was open?!"
At this, Arthur started backing away and started turning in the direction of his apartment. "I'll explain myself tomorrow, to (YN). I'm sorry. Have a good night". And he rushed back to his door.
"Fuckin' weirdo", muttered Sophie under her breath.