Arkham Days

I sat in my cell, watching my toes curl against the bed as I played with its fabric. My name, he said everyone knew my name. Surely that wasn't true. Some one would have let up or would have given something up by now! His clue had given me direction though, to find the first and most obvious piece of the puzzle, to find out my name. Maybe that would be enough to bring everything back! Ohhh, wouldn't that make the Joker mad! If I found out within hours of his game starting! The idea made me giggle.

After the Joker had given me my clue he was escorted by the guards from the room. Shortly after, so was I. They took me immediately to my cell for lights out. It was strange, I hadn't even realized how long I had been in solitary, it had only seemed like a few hours let alone an entire day. Now here I was sitting on my bed, dreaming up small victories against the Joker. I turned and laid down, nuzzling my head against my pillow. Tonight I would sleep and tomorrow I would win the Joker's game! It couldn't be that hard, not if as the Joker suggested, everyone knew who I was. Slowly, I let my mind rest, my eyes sliding shut getting their rest from what I was sure would be a hectic tomorrow.

I coughed against the smoke, my arms searching through the billowing grey. Where was the lever? That small lever that would pop open the canopy and throw me to safety? I knew it was around here somewhere, the man had shown it to me multiple times.

Ah! My fingers clasped tight around the ring, my hand pulling it up. I closed my eyes preparing for the launch that would never come. Why wasn't it..oh, it's stuck. My other hand mets with the ring and both are now fighting for it's release. I can't seem to….a large hand wraps around both of mine easily freeing the cord. I can feel my self shoot into the air.

"Crows are supposed to fly."


I grown rolling over as the lights begin clicking on, and the guards start rousing the inmates. I slowly roll out of bed falling onto my knees and taking my time getting up. The events of the previous day begin to come back to me, and I can't help but let a smile roll onto my face. Where should I start? This shouldn't be to hard. After all since the Joker's arrival I'd become fairly liked amongst the inmates, where as before I was the butt of everyone's joke. A small chuckle escapes my lips. Heh, no pun intended.

"What are you thinking about?" I turn to see the only friend I had before this fiasco, E. Nigma standing in the door way an odd expression on his face.

"Nothing in particular." I pulled myself up off the ground. Turning to face my lithe friend.

"So what's on todays agenda? Another fight, or are we going easy today. Mondays are supposed to be slow after all." I smiled up at him as I walked past, Nigma slowly turning to follow.

"Not this Monday. This Monday I have a mission." I stated triumphantly following the crowd of inmates heading toward the chow hall.

"A mission? What kind of mission?" He quickened his pace, his voice and eyes showing the interest I knew they would.

"The secret kind."

"Oh? Do we start right away?" Nigma was the kind of guy who could care less what the game was, the rules, or about the prizes. He was in it solely for the challenge. Well, almost completely for the challenge, part of me thinks despite his denial, he was in it for the bragging rights as well.

"No, first I want some breakfast!" I grabbed Riddlers arm pulling him through the crowd with me, and finding us a place in line.

"So what is this mission about?" He craned down his mouth against my ear. I pushed my tray forward, as the cook dropped a spoon full of scrabbled eggs onto my tray. I looked up my eyes searching the room for the person who I knew would be watching me. I saw him in the corner at the end of one of the tables, his mouth smirking around his spoon.

"I can't," I flicked my eyes in his direction,"say." I focused my eyes back on Edward trying to communicate with him in someway without actually physically saying anything. I was sure Edward wouldn't tell, but part of the rules was no telling anyone, and I wasn't taking any chances. I watched his eyes flicking over to see what I was looking at. He slight smirk spread across his face as he turned and faced forward.

"Speaking of…well, secrets did you hear about Dr. Quinzel?" I shook my head sliding down the line for my next serving of food. I could never help hoping one day I would look up and see a large stack of waffles waiting for me. "Apparently, she was canned."

"Canned?"

"Fired."

"I know what it means. Why?" Grabbing our cups we walked to a nearby table sitting down across from each other.

"Heh," Edward let out a slight snicker as he crammed a spoonful of eggs in his mouth. I tapped my spoon impatiently waiting for him to finish chewing. I knew I'd have to wait. Despite the fact we were in an insane asylum Edward was still a stickler about manners. I focused my attention on him as he swallowed and cleared his throat. "Apparently, when Dr. Rhyne returned he found that his new protege had become rather, ahem, infatuated with one of the patients."

His lips parted into a white grin at my wide-eyed expression, his eye brows raising up to do a little dance.

"Care to know with who?" He leaned forward over his tray his face inches from mine.

"Oh, I think I know who." It was my turn to wag my brows at his shocked expression.

"You've---You've been holding out!" He smacked my head like an upset drama queen intent on gossip.

"Okay, okay! So--" I leaned over checking to make sure the Joker was still in his place across the room before leaning to meet Nigma halfway. "So! I went to my session, which may I say was weird enough."

"She was a little off her rocker."

"I know! Anyway, I was leaving and as the guard was escorting me out guess who was coming in?" I nodded at his smirk. " I turn around just in time to see her running up squealing. It was crazy! She even has this nickname for him! Oh what is it…"

"Mr. J." Both Edward and I froze as we turned up to meet the gaze of non other than Mr. J himself. You know that phrase 'Speak of the devil, and the devil will appear'? Well, I would swear the Joker has heard of it and lives by it.

"Well, hello," Edward let out a light cough,"Mr. J." I watched Edward choke back laugh as he let the pet name slide from his lips. I watched the scowl form on his lips, as he reached down clutching my arm.

"A word." It was more a demand than a question. I stood quickly and followed him to the side feeling the looks of the surround convicts on my back. He pulled me to the side leaning against the wall, glaring over my shoulder to warn others from trying to figure out more than they needed to know.

"Yes?" I looked at him crossing my arms and tapping my fingers hoping he'd get the picture. He turned back to me his trade mark grin plastered to his face.

"How's the, ah, hunt going?" He licked his lips his pale lips darkening with the action.

"I just started, but I'm planning on it going very well thank you." I uncrossed my arms turning to head back to my table before his hand was pulling me back.

"If you, ah, need help…" He pursed his lips in a taunting kiss, a taunt that didn't go unnoticed by near by spectators.

"I won't be need your help. After all I go to therapy for this. I'll remember without your help." I took my finger and pried his hand from my arm. "Now if you'll excuse me…"

"Hold on." I turned back to him obviously irritated, but that didn't seem to bother him. " What if the, uh, Doctor isn't trying to help?"

"Oh please, I'm not buying this. What else would he be trying to do?"

"What if he's trying to keep you from remembering." My eyes narrowed at his accusation. The problem with the Joker is you can never be sure whats the truth and what he puts there to distract.

"Crow!" I turned to see one of the guards standing at the entrance. "Dr. Rhyne wants to see you at 3:00."

"Okay." I nodded and waved at him. "Well, since I'm seeing the Doctor I'll just ask for myself."

"Oh will you?" He smacked his lips as I turned and walked away. "Don't forget our arrangement!" He shouted behind me. "I'm watching."

Author's Notes:

Sorry! I know it's been a while. I'm already working on the next chapter so it should be done soon. I actually sat down and plotted out where I want this story to kinda go. Never done that before so I'm hoping it will work. Less Scarecrow in this chapter…don't worry he's going to come back. Riddler was just demanding some attention. lol

Please review and let me know what you think.