Red and Black (A Harlivy Story)

Chapter 7: Promises

Poison Ivy sat in the room on her own, waiting for Dr Leland. Her straitjacket was tighter than usual, which surprised Pamela. Leland asked the guards specifically for the restrictions to be eased, knowing Ivy's unpredictable behaviour could cause an unwanted scene, as well as being a prize for Pamela's good behaviour during their sessions. Ivy, although it went against her mindset, did trust Joan. She was one of the few people that Ivy believed was genuinely nice, but it took her a long time to reach that level of dependency; three months, in fact. She heard the door opening, and proceeded to start the conversation:

"Dr Leland, I was thinking about the stuff we were talking about and yes, I think that the-" Pamela declared before looking up to the woman standing before her. "Wait, you're not Dr Leland. Who the hell are you?"

The blonde opened her mouth to answer the question but was interrupted by the green woman facing her.

"Aren't you that new bimbo doctor who thinks she can cure that clown? Ha! Let me give you a tip Dandelion: Give up. You really think that you can save these rats you call patients. Honey, we are in here for a reason. We're crazy. The sort of crazy that can't be rescued, so just give up".

The seductress stared at the women with ruthless eyes; her jaw was clenched, showing her animosity towards the stranger. What is she doing here? Like it wasn't hell enough in this dump and now I have to open up. To hell with it! If she wants me to tell her my emotions, I'm gonna tell her what I really feel about her...

"Pamela Isley, I'm here because-" Harleen explained, hoping that the clarity would ease up the hostility in the room.

"Dr, Dr Pamela Isley, Harleen Quinzel."

"Sorry, Dr Isley. I'm here because Dr Leland is feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I've taken up her patients for a few days. I understand why you might be feeling rather...infuriated-"

"You don't know shit about what I'm feeling! Are you the one who lives their life in an asylum full of idiots? No? Do you have to get stabbed with a needle everyday by so-called "doctors" because you're a risk to humanity? No? Are you injected with so many drugs that all your motor skills are effectively diminished and you're too weak to walk properly? NO? So, don't tell me you understand, because until you go through this torture, you don't know shit!"

Dr Quinzel was taken aback by her shouting. She wasn't surprised that Isley would be angry, but she never estimated that she would be this enraged. She mistakenly stepped back a bit away from the glass that separated the two, causing the metahuman to grin madly.

"Oh, you're scared, aren't you?" Ivy taunted, "You really think that I was going to open up to you, maybe cry a bit about my dysfunctional family, and you would sweep in like the considerate psychiatrist you think you are. Newsflash, that's never going to happen. You really believe that you're helping people, aren't you? Did that clown tell you about his troublesome past? How he was abused as a child and took it upon himself to make the world a happy place. They all say that. You of all people should know, after all, you are the psychiatrist".

A flush crept across the psychiatrist's face as she shuffled her feet on the ground. It felt as if a rug had been pulled out from under her feet and she was left cowering on the floor. Her embarrassment was noticed by callous emerald eyes, who knew that she had gotten under the blonde's skin. Harleen, knowing that she was trapped, decided to end the session, trying not to seem more defenceless as she already was.

"Well, I will see you for our next session on Tuesday, as it seems as if any progress today has been hindered". With those words said, Quinzel departed from the room, leaving Gotham's seductress fuming.

Hurrying to her office, she closed the door and suddenly slumped with her back to the wall. Her face was scrunched, stricken with pain. Her breathing fast and shallow. She struggled to keep back the tears that filled her eyes. Harleen had her fair share of names and criticism, but nothing compared to the words said within the session. She genuinely felt that she was making a difference in the asylum, but the truth was that nothing had changed since she joined. It wasn't like she didn't know this already, she had doubts in the back of her mind, but it was something about the heartless tone of Isley that caused her to break. What were you thinking Harleen? You can't do this. You can't do anything. You're just another washed-up psychiatrist with cotton over her eyes. Like you were going to achieve anything, ha! This is just a waste of your already pathetic life. She started banging her hand against her face, trying to silence the truth in her mind. She wasn't angry at Pamela, if anything she was grateful for the honesty; she was angry at herself. The reality hurt her, and she left her weaknesses out on show, allowing it to be used against her. Harleen promised herself that she will never be feeble or be taken advantage of again, but that was something that even she couldn't keep.