The Tenth Daughter of Memory - FEAR IN SHATTERED COLOR

My first conscious thought was the cold wind blowing past my face. I shivered, and blinked my eyes open. I was in... an unfamiliar room... A bedroom... in a large bed. The girl, Ravynwings, had disappeared, but the Joker was sitting in an armchair, his deep brown eyes observing my every move, every shift in my limbs, every twitch of my fingers, every search of my eyes. I shivered again, involuntarily, and he drew himself out of the chair.

Crossing over to the window, which I had now noticed was wide open, he shut the window and clicked the locks, all while keeping his eyes on me. His eyes were not evil, not menacing, but kindly, though I knew he was evil, and he was menacing. He sighed, and shifted to my bedside. I propped myself up, and cringed away from him, fear blurring my eyes, making all the colors shatter and run together. My fear in shattered color made my tremble as I tried to regain control of myself.

A slight chuckle from the painted face above my head, a slight smile of the red lips, a slight rustle of the dyed hair, as he watched me gain control of my motions. I took a deep breath, and looked up to meet his eyes. He smiled widely at me, and began to speak, the scars of his face creasing as he spoke.

"Well, your seeming better." He motioned to my torso, which had the shirt ripped off and a wide bandage along my chest. I raised my hand a touched it gently, and flinched. The wound, though stitched, was still painful, and I placed my hand back beside me.

He startled me by speaking again. "I'm afraid Ravynwings had to leave... She won't be back." Something in the tone of his voice made me feel like she couldn't come back. The colors around me began to piece themselves together and shatter simultaneously. He watched me, all too observant, so I did not allow any emotion to break onto my face. I kept my face a serene masquerade as he spoke once more.

"What an... amazing coincidence I would run into you. Here, of all places!" He spun around and held out his arms as he spoke. He stood near the window and addressed me. "The snow is so beautiful... the colors shattering off the white sparkles of winter... Makes you feel like you have... nothing to fear..." he trailed off. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. I moved over to the door when he turned. I sat myself quickly in the chair beside me, and he chuckled.

"It's no use trying to leave, and you have a reason to stay!!" he whispered excitedly. "You can join me!! Since your... precious Batman is dead," he paused when I cringed, "Your available. I need someone like you, someone sacrificing, someone willing to do... anything." He grinned widely at me, his scars twisting as his sick smile decorated his face. His brown eyes searched mine as I crossed over to him beside the window and looked outside.

"Well," I murmured, "that's certainly an option..." I turned to him, knowing exactly what to do. I drew a breath, and...