Red and Black (A Harlivy Story)

Chapter 14: Insanity

Harleen opened her eyes slowly, but she couldn't seem to distinguish her surroundings; everything was blurry.

"Harley, baby. How nice of you to wake up for such an important date", the strident voice of the Joker resonated in her ear, "Now, I gotta warn you. The next thing is gonna hurt, but hey, the best things in life hurt, don't you think?"

Harley started thrashing, finding that she was held down by restraints. Her screams were muffled, stopped by the gag that was around her mouth. She blinked frantically, trying to clear her vision.

"Oh right, you can't talk. Too bad".

Harley felt two cold metal circles around her temples. She knew what was coming. Terror flashed in her eyes, which was picked up by the clown. He stepped back and beamed his awful, gleaming smile. He stroked her face with fingers, hard enough leave scratches on her cheek.

"I really don't want to ruin this pretty face of yours, maybe I shouldn't do this-". He scratched his chin like he was thinking deeply, then gave her a huge smile, "Who am I kidding, I really, really want to. I want to see the pain wash across your face. You think you can fix me. Trust me, no one can. I opened my heart out to you and all you did was hurt me, pretending that you're interested in me; then you go and snuggle up to that Isley woman. Well now you're gonna know what it feels like: to be betrayed"

450 volts seared through Harleen. Her face twisted in agony, as tears seeped from her eyes. She was losing consciousness from the pain; the Joker didn't want that, he wanted her to suffer. He held open her eyes, which darted left and right, until slowly rolling up into her head. The machine stopped. Laughing, he removed the strap around the woman's mouth and wiped away the tears.

Harleen felt nothing. She could see nothing. Everything was black.

Suddenly she fell into the water again; it was the same nightmare happening over and over. She thrashed and struggled as the water was filling up her lungs. That same cackle ringed around her head. She saw the figure, herself, running towards her.

"HELP ME. HELP ME!" she screamed, before getting fully submerged in water. The distorted face of her alter ego smiled at the drowning women before grabbing her hand.

Are ya ready to die? No, let me rephrase that? Are ya ready to live?

Harleen shook her head, willing to accept anything to get out of the water. The figure pulled her out. She coughed the remaining water left in her lungs, gasping for air. She looked up to admire the figure in full depth. It was her, but something was different. Other than the fact that she was wearing skin-tight red and black jumpsuit, a modification of those costumes worn by traditional Harlequins, there was something in her eyes. It portrayed something that Harleen had never seen before in herself: pure crazy. Her alter ego put out her hand again before saying:

Welcome back Lady, or shall I call ya Harley Quinn?

Harleen grabbed the hand to pull herself off the floor. Suddenly she merged with her second persona. She felt a warm sensation cover her whole body until Dr Quinzel was no more. Standing in the dark, she admired her new self. She threw her head back and laughed. All of the thoughts and memories that Harleen might have had was long gone, replaced with the sudden urge to be free; to do anything she wants, when she wants.

She opened her eyes. This time she was back in the electrotherapy room and she saw the Joker walk away in her peripheral vision.

"Where do ya think ya goin'?" Harley exclaimed in a thick Brooklyn accent. She beamed when she saw the surprised face of the clown, turning to face her. What he saw was someone else. Someone who wasn't Dr Quinzel. The corners of his mouthed turn upwards, as he saw someone plagued with the consequences of insanity. Someone just like him.