Freak is an Ugly Word

I'm back! Finally. Sorry about that. My computer contracted a virus and I had to wipe my hard drive. Lucky enough for me, I saved all of my work on an external as well. Good thing to. I would hate to have to go back and rewrite all that I've gotten so far. Well, I hope you guys enjoy. Just let me know.

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Princess felt her whole body jolt and she woke. With sleepy eyes she sat up and looked around her. She was confused. Why was she in the van? Hadn’t she fallen asleep on a bed next to Joker? Where was he? She had spotted Doc but not him. What was going on?

It was not until Doc slowed down to a stop that Princess started to panic. She did not understand what was happening. Doc had stopped at a park, a park Princess had never seen before. In fact, she had no idea where they were or why they were there. Confusion and panic were still in her eyes when Doc turned around to face her.

“Get your clothes on,” he commanded her.

She obeyed after finding them now sitting on her lap. It took her longer than expected to dress herself. She did not want Doc to see her naked and he seemed to refuse to turn around. Getting dressed in a van was a lot harder than she had ever expected. Normally, while in a vehicle, she did not get undressed. Just hiked up her skirt and sat in the man’s lap. That was much easier than what she was attempting at the moment.

Doc watched as she attempted to get dressed without losing the only thing hiding her naked body from him. He really did not have an interest in what she looked like, just wanted to make sure she was doing as she was told. He could have guessed that she would even without his gaze, but one could never be too careful.

Finally, she was finished dressing. It had taken much effort, but it was finished. She gazed up Doc expectantly, asking with her eyes what his next request would be. He turned away from her. “Get out,” he demanded, hardly above a whisper.

“What?” Princess asked in confusion. “Why?”

“He wants you gone.”

“Why?! Did I do somethin’ wrong?” She gazed down at her arms. “Is it because I cut myself? I won’t do it again, I promise.”

“Shut up!” he yelled at her. Princess closed her mouth and her bottom lip began to tremble. Doc could see she was on the verge of tears, but fighting hard to keep them at bay. Crawling from the driver’s seat, he knelt in front of her. “I want you to listen to exactly what I say.” Grabbing both sides of her face, he forced her to look at him. “You did nothing wrong. He’s a very sick and twisted man. The reason why he told me to get rid of you was because he was bored with you. He got what he wanted out of you, now he’s throwing you away.”Doc paused to let what he said sink in, and sink in it did.

Princess understood exactly what he said. Joker had used her, just like so many before him. She had done exactly what he wanted, thinking that he was her savior, now he was getting rid of her. As she came to realize this, she realized just how stupid she had been. Oh, how naïve she was. He had played her. Played her like a fiddle and she had hit every note perfectly. What her reflection had told her had been true. Everything it had said hit her. She should have listened to it. It was obviously smarter than she, and it knew what was best. If it ever told her something again, she would listen to it

The tears finally started to spill from her eyes. Leaning forward, she placed her hands over her face. “I’m so stupid,” she mumbled.

Doc placed a hand on her back and rubbed it, trying to comfort her. “No, you’re not. He just told you everything you wanted to hear and you believed it. If that makes you stupid, then all of us with him are the same.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Princess nuzzled into his neck. “Why are you still with him?” she asked.

Doc heaved a heavy sigh. He had expected this question. There was only one answer he was willing to give her. “I’m a wanted criminal. I don’t really have much choice in where I go.”

Princess accepted his answer. “Now, I’ll neva see Billy come back as a zombie,” she muttered.

Doc chuckled. “If we’re ever alone and you’re not crying, I’ll tell you.” He removed her head from his should. “You have to leave now. Stick to the streets. Stay as far away from alleys as possible. I dropped you off in a nicer part of Gotham, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’d give you some money, but I don’t have any.”

She nodded and climbed out of the van. “Bye, Princess,” Doc closed before she closed the door. Never did she answer, just slammed the door closed. She did not believe in saying good bye. That meant that they would never see each other again. Princess had a feeling that she would be seeing that man again. She did not know what to call it, she just knew she would.

Before Doc drove off, he tossed her the cover she had been using. She was thankful that he did so. A future need of it would arise. Wrapping it around herself, she set off into the night and Doc watched her go from the review mirror. She looked so alone and vulnerable. He was afraid to take his eyes off of the mirror, thinking someone would snatch her up if he just glanced down for even a second.

It was only when he turned a corner did he start to pay closer attention to the road. Already, he wanted to turn around. He should have stayed with her. At least with him she would have been a little safer. She would not have been alone. He would not have the constant thought of her safety, he would know.

Why hadn’t he stayed with her? That thought troubled him the most. There had been nothing to stop him. It would have been easy. He could have just kept the van and used it as shelter, sleeping in it at night. At least then, she would have been warm and had a somewhat comfortable place to be. She would not have been alone and on the streets. Food may have been a problem, but he was sure he could have come up with a solution to that as well. People have lived on the streets and survived for years. If they could do it, surly they could have.

It was too late now. He was already driving back to the warehouse. Already at least a mile away from her. He could not very well turn around. She was probably already hiding somewhere, trying to find a place to sleep away the rest of the night. It was useless, he told himself. He would never be able to find her again. She was long gone and so was he.

An eternity passed before he made it back to the hideout. After parking the van, he got out and headed inside. As soon as he opened the door, his ears were assaulted by the sound of the men’s laughter. They had the television turned up to an annoying volume and were shouting over it.

That was exactly the reason why Doc always kept the volume off. Others would just shout over it, giving him nothing but a headache. He was already getting one. They seemed to come to him easily when around the others. They always shouted, screamed, and laughed annoyingly loud at crude jokes. Most of those jokes, Doc was at the butt of. They seemed to love making jests about his sexual preference. None of them ever realized that he had slept with woman before. And he had, more than men.

When he entered the living room, the taunts began. “Took ya long enough!” one of the men shouted at him. “Was the little whore good?”
No answer was received from Doc, so one of the other men decided to give his two-cents.

“I bet she was, but he wouldn’ know that. He likes fuckin’ men.”

“That’s why Boss shoulda sent one of us.” Another country heard from. “At least one of us woulda gotten a go at her.”

Doc scoffed. “Like she would have let any of you touch her. I saw her eyes when she first looked at all of you. She was repulsed by the sight of all of you. I can understand why she looked at all of you like that, you’re all pretty damn disgusting if I say so myself.”

None of the men seemed to like his proclamation much. Most of them had looks that could if it were possible, Doc would drop dead on the spot. Not that he minded at the moment. He was disgusted with himself. He had just let a dropped of a nineteen year old girl in the middle of the most dangerous city in the country at the dead of night. If she were lucky, and it seemed Princess did not have a luck streak, she would survive at least until dawn. After that, he had no idea just how long she would last. Even the luckiest run out of luck.

Doc was tired of this. Tired of their heated stares and just plain tired. It had been a few days since the last time he had slept. He knew that was not good for him. Rest was what he needed, not arguing with a bunch of blood hungry idiots. He wanted peace and quiet, and there was only once place he was going to get that. Princess’ room.

None of the men would set foot in there now that she was gone. They had no reason to. Well, unless they were still sore from what he had just said. Just let them come in. They would be met with a few surprises. Not only did Doc sleep in the nude, but he knew how to fight. Another thing his father had taught him. The man, having been in many a bar fights, had told him that it was a good thing to learn how to defend oneself. Doc agreed. His ability to fight had saved him numerous times.

Doc was not one to anger easily and only fought when the need arose. But there are always exceptions. There had been many bigots, just like the men in the room he was currently in, who had harassed him and his male companion at the time. Doc loathed bigots. They shunned him for living a different lifestyle than the one that they saw to be normal. A lifestyle that even his father did not seem to mind. If he could bring himself to do it, he would kill every last one of them. As the person he was, he could never bring himself to take another life.

So, instead of listening to their taunts and jeers, Doc left the room. Left the room with his head held high and went to the only place that would offer him sanctuary. The door to Princess’ room was still open making it obvious no one had been in there since her “departure.” It was a blessing to Doc. Now, he could be left alone. Alone is what he needed at the moment.

Slamming the door closed, he removed his shoes. He glanced at the bed and realized that there was no cover and he did not know if there were any extras. That fact made him decide against sleeping in the nude, but stripped off his shirt none the less. He found it hard to sleep in a shirt, they were too restricting and he felt trapped.

Shirtless, he crawled onto the bed. It was soft and inviting. It was the first bed he had laid himself in for a long time. So long, he could not remember the last time he had done so. Being a wanted criminal limited ones options of places to rest. When he had moved to Gotham, he had tried living a new life, even changing his name. Paranoia had ruled over him even though he was supposed to be a new person. Even the slightest wrong he did could send him to life behind bars.

Living a life of crime was not as glamorous as the movies put it to be. Doc was constantly looking over his shoulders, watching his back. He had to be extra careful not to be seen by the cops for some just might recognize him. He could not get a steady job and earn a good income. Some nights, he had gone hungry, lacking the cash to feed himself.

It was how Joker had found him. Hungry and dirty, living on the rat infested streets. He had given the man sweet promises of money, food, and a place to sleep that was not a park bench flashing him a charming smile. Just like Princess, Doc had fallen for the man’s empty promises. It was true, he had a place to sleep and could just take some money whenever he wanted to, but at what cost. The cost of his soul. Was that worth it?

At first, Doc had believed so, but no longer. After seeing what Joker did to Princess, it made him wonder what he had in store for all of them. If he grew tired of them, would he get rid of them as well? Doc knew the answer to that question. Yes, he would. But unlike Princess, he would not throw them on the streets but kill them. Princess had struck lucky with that one. Her only lucky streak.

Doc sighed as once again his thoughts had turned to her. Forever would he be haunted by her. He rolled over onto his side. What had he been thinking when he had let her go? What had made him believe that she would be able to survive by herself on the streets? He had hardly been able to do so and he was much more capable at handling things then the girl.

Many times Doc had seen Princess’ type of person. The type of person that just took whatever was thrown at them without fighting back. He had dated a few and found it disturbing. They never fought back no matter what he did to them and he had done some horrible things. Things he was not proud of. He had just wanted to test their limits, see when they would actually protest, but they never did. Princess fell into that category. Fell deeply into that category.

Pushing all thoughts of her out of his mind, Doc closed his eyes. What he needed was sleep. Sleep would cure his uneasy mind, he hoped. With some rest, he would feel like a new man the next day. All thoughts of Princess would be wiped from his mind and he could go on living his life. His horrible self-centered life. It was a lonely life, but the only one he had and one he wanted to keep.

What felt like ten minutes later, though several hours had passed, a heavy weight shifted the bed, rousing Doc. He opened his eyes and groggily searched for the perpetrator that dared to wake him. Sitting Indian style, so close that he could smell the man, was Joker. Doc took in his hunched form but stayed lying down. He had no reason to get up. If Joker wanted him out of the bed, he could just make him. Doc was itching to start a fight and waited for the man to give him a reason.

“Whatcha doin’?” Joker asked staring down at Doc intently.

“Sleeping,” answered Doc. “It is what you do on a bed.”

“True, but don’t cha normally sleep on the couch?”

“Yes, but I was tired and the men seem like they weren’t going to sleep anytime soon. I decided to come in here.”

“So, it has nothin’ ta do with Princess once sleepin’ in here?”

Even in the dark Doc could see the man’s teasing smile. He really did not like that. Not at all. The urge to lash out at the man grew larger, but he held it in. Joker was a dangerous man, and Doc was cautious. He had never witnessed the man fight before, and did not know what would be in store for him. For all he knew, Joker could be a horrible fighter or he could be very good. Doc put his money on the latter. One did not live a life like him and not know how to fight.

“No,” Doc answered flatly. “I just needed someplace to sleep. I haven’t slept in days, and now that she’s gone, no one would have a reason to come in here, or so I thought.”

Joker ignored the last remark. “Did ya know that she smelled like strawberries?”

“No.” Of course he had known that. When she had cuddled into his neck he could smell her. Anyone with a nose would be able to smell it with her that close. He was not going to let Joker know that.

“Strawberries smell so sweet. I like strawberries.” Joker seemed to be ignoring what Doc said, a fact that was starting to annoy him. “I bet cha that that pillow your head’s on smells like strawberries. It’s the one she used.”

Doc was starting to get pissed at the man, but could not help but realize that he was right. There was a hint of strawberry on the pillow. That fact only added fuel to the already burning fire. Just what the hell was the man getting at? Why was he mentioning the girl all of a sudden? He was the one that got bored with her. He was the one that had Doc get rid of her. And there he was, talking about her like some long lost love. Doc knew that was not the case. There was no way a man like him could feel anything more than loathing for a person.

“Did ya know that she likes it when-“

Doc shot up, interrupting the man. He could not take this any longer! Joker’s rant was grating on his last nerve. “What the hell is your problem?” he shouted at the man.
“First, you tell me to get rid of her. Now, you’re talking about her like she’s some long lost pet. So, just what the hell are you getting at? Do you want me to go get her back? I’ll do it! I’ll gladly do it as long as it shuts you up!”

A smile spread across Joker’s face. He had been hoping to get a rise out of Doc. It had been the reasoning for waking him. Just to fuck with his mind a little. “What’s wrong Doc?” Joker inquired tilting his head to the side. “Don’t like me talking about Princess?”

“I could care less what you do, just don’t do it around me,” growled Doc.
Once again, Joker ignored what the man said. He had heard it. Heard it loud and clear, but he was trying to get on the man’s nerve. “Did Doc like the little Princess?”

Doc’s mouth stood agape in shock. He could not believe Joker had just asked him that. Yes, Doc liked the girl, but it was not the way the man was insinuating. “Are you serious?”

“You did!” exclaimed Joker. “Aw, how cute. I don’t think you would have gotten very far though. Princess doesn’t seem to like normal men. You should have seen that Croc guy she was with. He could make the ugliest of men feel handsome.”

Doc scratched the back of his head in annoyance. He decided to try a new tactic, not talking. It seemed that every time he had said something, Joker would say more. Maybe by not talking, the man would shut up and leave him to go back to bed. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but it did not work. Joker continued to talk, rattling off more about Princess and the man named Croc.

Doc tried to ignore him. That did not work. Not at all. Joker said something that he did not like at all. “Maybe Princess would like ya,” Joker said studying the man. “I heard you were a strange one. How ya like to sleep with men. Is that why ya never went after her like the others did? ‘Cause ya like men more?”

Before Doc had even realized what he had done, he punched Joker in the face. He just could not take it anymore! The man’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard to him. It had screeched and pounded at his ears, assaulted his brain until he could take no more. So, he had done what he should have long ago. He hit him. Hit him as hard as he could. Well, at least he thought he did until Joker laughed at him.

“Well Doc,” Joker started turning his head back to the man, “lookin’ for a fight? ‘Cause if not, ya just started one.” Now, it was Joker’s turn.

One second, Doc was staring at the Joker. The next, he staring down at the bed, his head throbbing. His assumption had been correct, Joker knew how to fight. Well, at least he knew how to hit. The man had been so fast Doc had not had time to prepare himself for it. That fact left him with a painful headache. The entire left side of his face hurt, and he knew it was already bruising. It had felt like the fist of God had come down and wreaked a fiery vengeance upon his small head. Damn did it hurt!

While Doc was staring dizzily at the bed, Joker stood up and turned on the light. Shrugging off his jacket, Joker cracked his neck. While wandering through the warehouse in his boredom, Joker had come across Princess’ door, and it had been closed. He did not recall it being that way the last time he had stood in front of it, so he decided to investigate. Upon entering the room, he had spotted a sleeping Doc. So, Joker decided to mess with the man, hoping to cure his boredom for a short minute.

Never once did Joker wonder why Doc had been in the room. He had heard what the other men were saying about him. It was hard not to, they were shouting at each other and their loud voices carried far and deep within the confines of the building. Doc would be looking for any reason to fight, and Joker purposely given him one.

“Get up!” ordered Joker.

Trying to get rid of the daze he was in, Doc violently shook his head. It only made things worse. Not only did it make his head pound all the harder, but made him feel nauseous as well. But he stood none the less, not willing to let Joker best him with just one hit. Especially since the man had taken one of his hits and laughed at him. No, Doc was not going to let that happen. He got his feet under him and stumbled off of the bed. The haze dispersed slightly and he stood up straight. Then he found himself on his back, Joker on top of him, cackling.

The haze returned and Doc’s head pounded more fiercely than before. He had, also, accumulated back pain and shortness of breath. It did not help that Joker was sitting on the man’s stomach, digging his elbows into Doc’s chest as he rested his chin on them.
A Cheshire grin on his face, Joker taunted the man. “What’s the matter, Doc? I thought you knew how to fight. Or,” he paused flicking his tongue across his lower lip, “is it you like a man on top of ya?”

“Fuck you,” Doc mumbled dazedly. He was positive that he had a concussion. There was no way that his head bouncing off the concrete floor would not result in one. The room was spinning around him and he could hardly keep his focus on the man that was just a measly few inches from his face.

Joker clicked his tongue and climbed off him. “No thank you, I’m not in the mood.”
Doc did not even register his words, just slowly rolled over and crawled to the bed. He felt sick. Like he was going to vomit right on the spot. Somehow, he had managed to crawl to the bed without doing so. Falling heavily onto the mattress, Doc could already feel himself slipping into unconsciousness.

“You know, Doc, you should stick up for yourself. Don’t let the men push you around. I don’t want another Princess around. If you don’t grow some balls, I’ll get rid of ya like I did her. Only, I’ll kill ya.”

“You’re a sick fuck,” Doc muttered harshly. “She was only a girl.”

Joker cackled at the man. “If ya cared about her so much, why didn’t ya stay with her, hm? There was no one to stop ya, so why come back?”

“I didn’t want to be back on the streets.” The truth. He finally admitted it to himself. He had left Princess to fend for herself all because he did not want to live on the streets again.
“
So, ya left the poor defenseless Princess all by her lonesome? Even to a man like me that’s cold.” A smile still played on Joker’s lips. “I may have messed with her head a little, but you left her on the streets with no money and nothing to defend herself with. Now, who’s the bigger monster, you or me?”

Joker left Doc to think on that as he slipped into unconsciousness.

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Well, not the most exciting of chapters, but it's a chapter. I hope that you guys enjoyed. Rate and review please. Thank you so much! And more apologies for me taking so long to update.