Melted Gold

Gaurdian

He was scared, and he could admit that to himself, he was scared, and he was alone. Joker took comfort in Mama's hospitality, but he couldn't stay there forever, and he found himself wandering the streets with a red-haired kid who refused to leave him alone.

"Jason, you can't keep following me," Joker sighed, exasperated but the young teen continued to trail him, "Jason, go home!"

"I don't have a home, and I'm not one of Mama's whores," Jason snapped and kept pace. Joker groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. He would admit that the kid was at least self sufficient, but he was still a kid and Joker didn't want to be responsible for him if he could help it. Still, Jason continued to follow, his light chatter filling the air as they wandered around Gotham's underground. He still needed clues on how Harish was able to work while still in the hospital. He needed to know who else was out there, he only had a handful of people accounted for and he was positive there was more still wandering the streets.

He briefly wondered if he should get help from Ivy or Selena but let that thought die in his head. They were both broken enough as it is, he didn't need them being caught up in the mess that was Harish.

He thought bout going home to Bruce, but he couldn't face that man after what had happened; besides, he was still up in the Watchtower being treated for whatever Harish managed to do to him. He knew Barbra was doing okay and Richard had been in the paper for some academic award, so the kids were fine.

Joker paused in his movements, a shadow danced in his peripherals and he grabbed Jason's shirt, pulling him against a wall and pressed him tight. Jason made a sound to protest but felt Joker's arm shake against his chest and his argument fell short. There was a stillness as Joker's eyes surveyed the area, skipping from one face to the next, his head tilting one away and another to catch every little sound.

"What is it?" Jason asked, stepping closer to the man, trying to hide himself behind him. Joker didn't scare easy, at least not while awake.

"Come on," Joker took Jason's hand and lead him away, he wasn't sure if they were being followed or if it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but he wasn't comfortable with staying in one spot for too long. He twisted and turned, leading Jason down ally ways and in a confusing path of back ways and dive bars. They moved for nearly two hours before Joker paused and looked around

"I'm tired," Jason complained, his worn-out shoes pinching his feet and he jumped when he heard a trash can fall over. Joker reached for him, pulling him close and almost under his trench, eyes fixated on the man standing at the mouth of the ally way.

"Hello, Alice," Hatter sang, stepping closer. Joker stepped back, keeping Jason close as he watched Hatter sway in spot, a dirty rat perched on his shoulder and hissing at them.

"Who's Alice?" Jason whispered and ducked deeper into Joker's coat when the man shushed him.

Hatter gasped and tried to move closer, to get a better look at who Joker was trying to hide. "Who is your friend Alice?"

Joker turned again to keep Jason hidden as he backed them towards the bar they had just came out of. Hatter stepped closer still, his rat leaning over his shoulder with a screech, hissing in to Hatter's ear.

"Now, Now Door Mouse, no need to rush Alice," Hatter said, his voice sweet as sugar but dripping with venom, "Alice will learn to share his toys."

"The only thing that needs to be shared is how Harish is still operating," Joker snarled, slipping off his coat and letting it drape over Jason's body, keeping his face and hair hidden. "I know you know something Hatter, now spill."