Behind His Mask

Isolated

Joker, or should I say Jack, took a step back from me. A fresh breath of air rushed into my lungs. I hadn't realized I had been holding my breath. That was too intense.

His face was blank as he stared at me. What was he thinking? Although I was flustered from him I knew I had to say something. When it came down to it, he had shared something personal with me.

"Thank you." I gave him a soft smile. I could hear a single brick fall to the ground from that figurative tall wall he had built up around him. I'd take it down brick by brick until he let me in. For a moment I noticed I had forgotten about the story. I cleared my thoughts and narrowed back in on my goal. Focus.

Jack smacked his lips and clapped his hands together. He opened his mouth to speak, but looked like he decided against it. He turned to leave when I called out to him.

"Jack I-" I was cut off as he slammed the door forcefully shut and spun around. The look in his eyes was almost beast like. He looked wild. Full of rage.

"I told you my name, but I never said you could use it." He spat at me. I was taken back by his sudden outburst of rage. Even when he had given me warnings before, the fear he was instilling me with now was so much more. I was scared.

"I-I'm sorry. I di-" I stuttered. He stormed towards me. His whole body was tensed in anger. His hands balled into fists. He had never hurt me since I met him. Right then though I was convinced he would.

"Stop, please." I whispered as I cowered back in fear, throwing my hands up in defense. He came to a halt right in front of me.

I could hear his ragged breath. I peered up at him and saw that he was glaring at me. I lowered my hands slowly. His demeanor took a 180 and he giggled to himself. Bipolar much?

"I haven't even laid a finger on you yet, baby." He straightened his tie and gave me a sly smile. "But when I do, that's uh, far from what you're going to be saying."

I felt myself blush at his inappropriate words. Awkwardly, I cleared my throat. I was reluctant to say anything to him once again. I was at my wits end with this man. This clown. It seemed like whenever I thought I was getting somewhere he'd push me right back down.

"Well, business calls. You'll wait for me here?" He asked as he walked out of the door, peering over his should with a smirk. He spoke as if I had a choice in the matter.

"With bells on." I replied flatly. He held his stomach as he broke into a fit of laughter. I wasn't in the mood for his games right now. He didn't bid me goodbye and simply shut the door abruptly. I heard the sound of a clicking lock.

I ran up to the door and tried to open it to no avail. How long was he planning on making me wait? I wanted to bang on the door and call out to him. It would be better to not chance angering him again.

I looked around the room. I had voluntarily committed myself to this tiny lavish prison cell for him. I on the other hand had just asked him for his name. This was definitely weighted in his favor.

I shuffled over to the bed and sat down, pouting. I scolded myself for acting so childish.

Jack. I repeated the name over and over in my head. He didn't even give me his last name. There was no way I'd be able to figure out his identity with a common first name like that. At least it was something. More than what I had yesterday.