The Trail

I'm finally posting more of this! Enjoy!

Chapter 3

The Joker was almost delirious with happiness at seeing his Batman again. All interest in Gordon seemed to have disappeared as the Joker, smiling, took a step closer toward Batman with his arms outstretched. Batman stared at him in surprise. Could the crazed clown really be intending to embrace him?

“I knew you’d come!” The Joker exclaimed. He gestured madly at the still crumpled form of Gordon. “I told him you’d come, but he didn’t believe me.” He wagged his finger excitedly. “That’s one apology you owe me, Commissioner!” He laughed.

Batman glowered.

“He owes you an apology?” He growled, softly.

The Joker waved his hands, already disinterested. “That’s not important now. It’s good to see you again! I missed you!”

“Did you?” came the frosty reply.

The Joker sauntered closer. Batman raised a bat blade and the Joker paused, his expression questioning.

“Well, that’s not very friendly is it?”

The Batman didn’t answer him. Instead, he glanced down at Jim, still lying at his feet.

Gordon was trembling all over, and although he seemed to be gazing straight upwards, Bruce was sure he couldn’t see him. Perhaps the man was going into shock. Bruce’s brow furrowed when he saw the handcuffs and the terrible scale of his friend’s injuries. He took in the blood and the bruises and groaned inwardly when he saw Gordon’s ribs sticking out.

Ominously of all, Bruce’s eyes were drawn to the Commissioner’s bare thighs and the black bruises caused by the rough treatment that were clearly visible. Much to Bruce’s horror, he could also see blood seeping down the man’s thighs and working its way down to his ankles. Bruce was horrified, knowing immediately what this meant.

The only good cop left in Gotham had been brutally raped.

“Gordon?” Batman whispered. When the Commissioner didn’t reply, he tried again, more urgently. “Jim, can you hear me?”

Still, Gordon didn’t react.

Bruce gently reached out and pulled up the other man’s trousers, trying to give Gordon some respect back. Jim cried out at his touch and shrank back, afraid. Bruce could only stare at Jim with sorrow; he wanted to hug him, to hold him so tightly and comfort him. Just what extent of horrors had this man been put through – all because of his contact with Batman?

Tearing his eyes away from the shocking sight, Batman swung round to the Joker, feeling nothing but hatred for the evil clown.

The Joker had waited patiently for Batman to finish wasting time with Gordon and when the Bat’s gaze fell once more upon him, the Joker, his head on one side, slurred,

“What do you think of my latest art? Pretty, isn’t it? Some of my best work!”

Batman was shaking with anger. “You’re sick,” he spat.

The Joker rolled his eyes. “Spare me!” He flicked his tongue in the way that so agitated Batman. It was taking every ounce of will power he had not to charge at the Joker and beat him to a bloody pulp. But Batman was not the same as the Joker, whatever the madman believed. He would not sink to the Joker’s level, he was better than him... he was...

“Or,” the Joker drawled, “Maybe it’s simply because you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” Batman repeated, disbelief in his tone.

“Well, yes,” the Joker replied. “Jealous that I got there first. Why not try him for yourself?” Another smirk. “He’s pretty good.”

That was too much for Batman. With a shout of outrage, he leapt at the Joker, sending his enemy crashing to the ground. Once he had the freak pinned beneath him, unable to fight back, Batman proceeded to beat the Joker relentlessly with two closed fists, with as much force as he could muster. The Joker laughed and laughed, fueling Batman’s anger and worsening the blows. Batman would stop that hated laugh, no matter what it took. He would shut this demented clown up once and for all -

The Knight heard a whimper from behind him. He ignored it, needing to finish the Joker off first before he could investigate the noise. He was like a force of nature. The Joker would never hurt anyone close to him ever again. It would end there and then. And the bastard was still laughing... Batman despised that laugh with all of his being...

It wasn’t until Batman again heard that pained cry from behind him, desperate and pleading, that he recovered his senses and paused his brutal attack.

“Stop it, please.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Batman saw the pitiful figure of Jim Gordon, now sitting slumped on the ground, his head lowered. The man had made a fair attempt to get to his feet, but he hadn’t had the strength to succeed. Jim looked as if he were going to slip into unconsciousness at any moment. His glasses had fallen off of his nose and were lying beside him, smashed just like the bat signal. When he raised his head to attempt to look at Batman, he could only stare straight ahead, completely unfocused.

“Don’t become like him.” He gasped, his breathing labored. “Don’t let him force you into breaking your only rule. If that happens, he wins again.”

His words hit Bruce like a sledgehammer. He glared down at the cackling Joker. Carefully, he raised himself up and backed away from his enemy. Turning his back on the demented clown and with his cape flowing out behind him, Bruce hurried back over to Gordon and crouched down beside him.

“Hold on, Gordon. I’m going to get you out of here.”

Jim could only manage a soft “No... never free now... just leave...” before he closed his eyes again, exhausted.

Bruce frowned. He was furious with himself. Gordon had surrendered and Bruce hadn’t even noticed. Revenge on the Joker should have been secondary to getting help for Jim. He had already wasted enough time with the maniac. He reached down, ready to sweep the weakened police chief into his arms when suddenly the unstoppable force that was the Joker barged into them with all of his might, knocking him away from Gordon.

The two foes glared daggers at each other while Gordon lay weakly between them, whimpering softly. The pain was too much for him. He just wanted it all to end. If only they would let him sleep.

The Joker, his right eye almost closed and blood now smeared all over his face and hair, was once again clutching his trusty knife. He pointed it at Batman and placed his head on one side. His whole stance was threatening and Batman knew him well enough to be wary. As he had discovered previously to his cost, it was impossible to prepare for the Joker’s next move. Usually, not even the Joker himself knew what that move would be.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The Joker asked softly and slowly, only addressing Batman.

“He needs help.”

A shrug. The Joker couldn’t care less.

“I’m taking him away from here,” Batman stated. It wasn’t a request.

“You do that and more will die. I sound the alarm and my men will be outside of this building in a heartbeat. They’ll open fire on Gordon’s little toy soldiers before they even know what hit them and, like that,” he clicked his fingers, “they’ll all be wiped out.” Another flick of the tongue. “Do you really want to be responsible for yet more deaths today?”

Another moan was emitted from Gordon. Batman glanced down at him, his concerns growing with every passing second.

“He’ll die if I don’t get him to hospital.”

“Again, you expect me to care. Interesting.”

“What good is his death to you?” Batman growled.

“Apart from being very amusing?” Joker retorted.

“You used him to get me here. I’m here. Job done. Let him go!”

Yet more maniacal laughter.

“Tell me what you want!” Batman shouted, exasperated.

“I want YOU!” The Joker screamed back. “Gordon was just something for me to play with, what I did to him, it was a way of passing the time until you showed up again. And just as expected, show up you did!”

“Congratulations,” Bruce replied nastily. “And in that twisted mind of yours, what happens now?”

“You get back into the game. I run, you chase me. We fight on. You and me. Forever.”

Batman shook his head grimly. “I don’t want to play your game.”

“Then he dies here. And that’s all your choice, not mine. Just like this afternoon, when you chose to let those children explode with their school.”

“Why?”

Batman gazed down again when he heard that weak voice, which was now nothing more than a croak.

“Why come for me but leave them to die?

Bruce closed his eyes tightly. He could still hear them. Their desperate cries for his help and his own shout of fear and helplessness when he knew he couldn’t get to them. And then there was that horrible sound; the moment he had realized he had walked straight into another of the madman’s deadly but pointless traps:

“Ha, Ha, Ha.”

The only warning he had been given. And he knew exactly what it had meant.

Batman stared at the Joker. “You set that up. You knew I couldn’t save those children. They were innocent!”

“Innocent?” The Joker smirked. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no such animal.”

“Answer me!” Jim urged Batman, completely ignoring the Joker. “How could I have been more important?”

“You weren’t!” Batman yelled at him. When Jim drew away from him, afraid, he regretted the words at once.

“I was there,” Batman continued, quietly. "I couldn't save them."

Gordon opened his mouth to question him further but Batman turned away from him, looking toward the Joker. Gordon understood. He wouldn't get any more information from Batman at that moment.

Batman was glaring at the Joker.

“It was a trap.” He snarled.

The Joker’s smile grew wider.

Gordon swallowed hard, tears again threatening to spill. He turned his head away. Those children’s lives, even his – they meant nothing to the Joker. They were all just part of the joke, a way to make the Batman play his sick game.

Jim’s gaze met the Joker’s, ignoring his own fear and agony.

“You sick freak.” Jim said weakly. “He’s worth ten of you.”

The Joker, ignoring his own injuries, ran furiously at Gordon. Jim tried to move back, but it was useless. He was in complete agony, and his wrists were still locked in place behind his back. He could only watch as the crazed Joker lunged for him. Jim’s breath caught in his throat when he saw Batman grabbing at the Joker, restraining him.

“Leave him alone!” It was taking all of Batman’s strength to keep the Joker at bay.

“You’re nothing but my own little private bitch, Commissioner!” The Joker spat, his eyes trained on Jim’s. “I’ll come for you again, do you hear me? I’ll have you again!” He was incensed. “Use you as I want, whenever I want. You and your precious family!”

“No, don’t you go near them!” Jim moaned.

The Joker licked his lips.

Jim gritted his teeth against the pain. He would protect his loved ones with his last breath, even if that was what it came to. “You stay the hell away from my family!”

The Joker laughed hysterically. “You can’t even protect yourself from me!” He ruthlessly taunted. “How are you gonna stop me from getting to them?”

“Stop!” Batman growled. “Enough!”

The Joker pulled free of the Bat’s painful grip and stalked away, mumbling to himself. He shriveled back round, hatred radiating from him.

“This is not about him. It never was. I’ve told you what I want, Batsy. What’s your answer?”

Batman was in a quandary. He didn’t want to play the Joker’s game. That way would only lead to more death and destruction. But the Joker wouldn’t rest until Batman caved, and it would be Gordon and his family who would suffer in the meantime. What choice did he truly have? He would not be the cause of any more harm to Gordon.

“If I agree to ‘play’ with you again, though I won’t see the chase as a game as you do, will you let Gordon go and leave him and those close to him alone?”

There was another low moan from the man lying behind him. “Please, you can’t give in to him; he mustn’t win again.”

Batman ignored Gordon. What else could he do?

The Joker, now very excited, nodded dementedly. “Yes, yes, he can go.”

“You’ll keep away from him. His family.”

There was a twinkle in the Joker’s eye. “I’ve succeeded in what I set out to do where our dear Commissioner is concerned. He’s not important to me now. He’s finished.” He waved his hand, emphasizing his words.

Bruce glanced at Gordon, his worries for his friend increasing. Jim had again turned his face away from the two other men, sobs wracking through his body. Bruce could see he was still bleeding from so many wounds and he had turned deathly pale. He was also barely breathing. If he didn’t get him to a hospital immediately, it really would be too late.

As for Gordon himself, the Commissioner was in complete agony. He knew Batman wanted him to keep on fighting but his body was ready to admit defeat. All he wanted was some peace.

Knowing they could waste no more time, Bruce slowly approached the Joker.

“The key.” Batman snapped, his hand held out.

The Joker was confused.

“Sorry?”

“For the handcuffs.” Batman growled.

The Joker snorted.

“Ah, yes! Um, now where?” He began to pat his coat, pretending to hunt for the key and Jim’s freedom. Batman pursed his lips. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to knock the bastard out. “Just a minute,” the Joker was saying, enjoying himself, “I had it a minute ago!”

“NOW!” Batman yelled. The Joker laughed.

“Okay, Batsy! Keep your ears on!”

He threw Batman the key, who caught it and hurried back to Jim, who was now lying completely still. Deathly still.

Bruce desperately felt at the man’s neck, trying to find a pulse. With relief, he found one. It was very faint – but still there.

“Hold on, Jim.” Bruce murmured. “Nearly there.”

He unlocked the cuffs and Jim fell limply forward, reaching for Batman. Bruce wrapped his arms around his friend and held him close. He glanced at Gordon’s wrists and winced; they were bloody and sore from where the man had been trying to free himself. Bruce was concerned by how cold the other man was to touch. He had lost so much blood, not to mention very likely having been suffering from shock for some time. Bruce felt nothing but respect for Gordon and how he had fought on against the Joker for so long, despite his shocking injuries.

As he held the trembling man in his arms so tightly and rubbed at his wrists, trying to restart the circulation, Bruce wondered exactly how much damage the Joker had done and if Gordon would ever be able to fully recover – if he survived the day at all, of course. Whatever happened, Bruce swore that both he and Batman would be there to help Gordon whenever he needed it.

That was in time to come though. At that moment, Batman still had work to do.

Holding Gordon, Batman turned to glare at the Joker, who had been watching both Jim and Batman with great amusement.

“How’s he doing?” The Joker asked, sneering.

Batman frowned.

“I’m getting him off of this roof, now.”

Much to Batman’s surprise, the Joker shrugged.

“If you want to,” the clown stated. “But Batman, don’t forget your promise to me.” He jerked his head toward the prone Gordon. “For his sake.”

Batman rose up, gently lifting Gordon along with him. He moved to the edge of the roof and looked down. So much noise, so many bright lights below him. And he knew all the men down there would see him as an enemy, and they would most likely jump to conclusions as soon as they saw him that he had aided the Joker. He was practically allowing his own capture by trying to save Gordon. And by giving himself up, he was leaving Gotham at the mercy of the Joker. He couldn’t do that, but he couldn’t let Jim die either. It was an impossible choice.

He would just have to think of something quickly, wouldn’t he?

“Batman.”

The Joker was walking up behind him, his palms outwards. Batman stared frostily at him.

“Stay back,” he snarled.

The Joker stopped.

“You have to tell Gordon’s little friends down there that I’m walking out of here and they’re not allowed to...” he paused, again sticking his tongue out, “...shoot me.”

“Not scared, are you?” Batman growled.

“No,” the Joker replied truthfully. “But our game is only in its second round right now. The kids were round one; Gordon is round two. I don’t want to miss all the fun.” He gestured to the ground. “You’ll have to tell them.”

“And your men?”

The Joker seemed confused. “My men?”

Batman blinked. “Yes. Your goons downstairs. They won’t be walking out with you?”

The Joker said nothing; he merely smiled.

Batman turned away from the hated man and stepped up onto the ridge.

“Until the next time, then?” The Joker said, almost pleasantly.

Batman outstretched his ‘wings’, ready to fly himself and Jim to safety.

“How will I find you?” He shot to the Joker. “I have to see to Gordon first, before I can follow.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else. You’ll find me. Just follow my trail of blood.”

And then, the Joker began to laugh. And he didn’t stop.

Batman had heard enough. With the demented man’s hysteria ringing in his ears, he leapt off of the ledge and soared up into the sky. He could feel Jim gasping and moaning in his arms and he clutched the man to him ever more tightly, trying to comfort him as best as he could. As quickly as they had taken off, they began to float to the ground. Batman could hear the shouts of panic from the men below him, and it suddenly dawned on him that the men could fire first and ask questions later, easily killing their Commissioner who, unlike Batman, had no protective amour on.

Batman knew how jittery the men would be and he sympathized. He just hoped they would give him time to explain. Somehow he doubted it.

He thought he could hear one voice yelling over the rest. Was that voice shouting for them to wait?

He hoped he was right.

At last, his feet touched solid ground. He was impressed that not one shot had been fired. Batman would have to remember to thank that lone voice.

Batman, using his cape now as a protective shield around both him and Gordon, laid the smaller man carefully on the ground before him. The Bat then rose to his full height and stared around him. He gazed from one policeman to the next, seemingly not bothered that each one was pointing a gun straight at him.

Batman did not speak. He was careful to keep an eye on Gordon.

Stephens stepped forward warily.

“Move away from the Commissioner.”

Batman frowned. “He needs help. Now.”

“Step away or we will open fire.” Came the cold reply.

Inwardly, Bruce sighed. Why was Jim Gordon the only cop in Gotham with any brains?

“If you want to shoot, shoot;" He growled. "But you can’t touch me. You’ll kill James Gordon instead.”

Stephens glared.

“Did you do this to him? Were you helping the Joker?”

Batman was losing patience.

“Forget about me.” He gestured for the man to approach, "Look at him."

Stephens hesitated for a moment and then nervously, he edged closer. Batman stepped back, allowing Stephens to look upon Gordon and to see the extent of his injuries. Stephens saw the bruises on Jim's face and chest, saw how pale his chief was and the colour drained from Stephens's own face. He stared up into Batman’s eyes and Batman could see the fury and the pain Stephens was trying to control. The most horrific details were still hidden and Batman knew could not be devulged here. For Gordon's sake, his men could not know.

Stephens hurriedly took off his own overcoat and placed it over his unmoving chief. Then he whirled around.

“You men, here now. Get the Commissioner into that hospital at once. Faster! Come on, move! We don’t have a lot of time.”

“Sir, what...?”

“I said, no time! You two, travel to the makeshift hospital with him. Stay with him. Don’t leave him for one minute, do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir.”

Batman stood to one side, watching as two of Gordon’s department rushed him to the nearest ambulance. As they went past him, Batman was stunned to see Gordon open his eyes and gaze straight at Batman. Then he mouthed two words. Batman got the message loud and clear.

“Find him.”

The Bat inclined his head in reply. Whatever it took, he would find the Joker for Gordon – and the clown would pay for every moment of agony he put Jim through. In the next few moments, Gordon was safely inside the rescue vehicle, the doors had been slammed, and the ambulance was rushing away. Bruce could only stand and watch – and pray that he hadn’t been too late.

Stephens once more approached Bruce.

“I should say thank you. You saved his life.”

“Never thank me,” Batman muttered. “And he isn’t out of danger yet.”

Stephens shuffled on the spot uncomfortably.

“We were useless down here. Sometimes we could even hear screaming from all the way up there and still, we stayed put. We just left him to suffer.”

He bowed his head, ashamed.

“You were following orders. You did the right thing.”

Stephens shook his head. “You tell Barbara and the kids that if we lose him.”

Before Bruce could reply Stephens’ whole stance suddenly changed.

“That son of a bitch!” The Detective spat and raised his gun again, this time pointing it away from Batman and toward the station.

All the other officers reacted the same way. Shouts of anger and fear came from all directions, and the Batman turned to discover the source.

The Joker was striding towards them, his arms swinging by his side. He bowed to all the officers as he passed them, and not one of them fired his weapon. Batman assumed they were too stunned!

Finally, Stephens came to his senses.

“Freeze!” He shrieked. “Did you hear me, you little shit? Stay where you are.”

The Joker paused. He ignored Stephens completely; his eyes were locked onto Batman’s.

“He walks out of here untouched.” Batman growled.

“What?” Stephens snapped in disbelief. “After what he’s done today? We should shoot the asshole right where he’s standing. We’d be doing the world a favor.”

“We probably would.” Batman agreed. “But not today. He goes free.”

Bruce and the Joker regarded each other.

The Joker smirked.

“Send Gordon my love, won’t you?” The Joker mocked.

Stephens drew in a deep breath and Bruce could sense many of the officers around him were desperate to open fire.

“Steady,” Stephens hissed. It was as if some other power was forcing the word out of his mouth. But the men did as he ordered.

Just as Batman began to wonder what the Joker had done with his own team, a car roared into view, parking up right beside them. The Joker made straight for it, a skip once more in his step. He opened the car door and paused before getting inside. He gave the Batman one last salute and threw something toward him. Batman watched the object land a few feet from where he stood. He and Stephens both gazed down at the small item.

As fast as it had appeared, the car was gone.

Batman walked towards the dropped gift, knowing that all the cops were again staring at him in stunned horror. Had he really just let the Joker escape? They couldn’t understand it. Neither did they like it. Batman couldn’t blame them.

Stephens hurried up behind him. Batman gave him a warning look, which Stephens took notice of and stopped.

“You say you’re not his ally? How could you just let him go?”

Batman frowned. The Joker had left behind one of his calling cards.

“Answer me!” Stephens yelled.

Batman grabbed Stephens and pulled him close.

“I made a deal! His freedom for Gordon’s. I had no choice. I won’t lose my honor fighting him! I can’t.”

He pushed Stephens away, glared at the man, and then turned the card over in his hand.

Seeing the words in front of him, he froze.

Recovering quickly, Batman began to shout; “MOVE IT! GET DOWN! GET...”

Those were the only words he was able to get out before the police department exploded in a huge ball of fire. The blast was deafening. Many of the cops fell to the ground, others ran for their lives, but they were all caught in the blast. Batman grabbed at Stephens and knocked him over, trying to protect him from the flames. A few other cops were lucky and had the same idea, diving for cover.

As the sound of the explosion died away and all that could be heard was the noise of the flames as Gordon’s department burnt, Batman gazed around himself, coughing from the smoke.

Most of the cops and passersby had survived; he could see only a few fatalities.

It appeared they had all been very lucky – or the Joker had merely wanted to pass on a message.

Still clutching the calling card in his hand, Batman glanced down at it again. He shuddered again as he read the words.

“Was anyone in there?” Stephens asked, interrupting Bruce’s thoughts. He was still crouched down beside Batman, covered in ash and his clothes were tinged and burnt.

“The Joker’s own gang. He didn’t need them anymore.” Batman answered, grimly.

“Why would he...?”

Batman shrugged. “To keep me guessing. And it’s the start of a trail.”

Stephens frowned. “What trail?”

“One that will lead me to the Joker. And one way or another, this is going to end. No more.”

Batman threw the card to Stephens and he caught it.

“Look after Gordon,” Batman told him.

Before waiting for the man to reply, he was gone.

Stephens stared at the empty space for a moment, then glanced back toward his burning workplace. He shook his head, trying to clear his confused mind.

Now what?

He looked down at the Joker card in his hand and when he read the words, he shivered.

“Welcome to Round Three.”

TBC