Prologue
Gotham city. 08:07 p.m.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
His laughter echoed in the small, dark room as he grinned widely. He looked at the couple in front of him and relished the fear he inspired in them. This feeling was the best he could feel. He took a long breath and exhaled. Then he went back to work.
"Where is she?" he shouted.
"I... I don't know," the man stammered.
"You don't know? We'll see about that."
"Don't... don't hurt us," the man begged, his face contorted in terror.
Without paying attention to the man's words, he pulled out a long, sharp knife and brandished it menacingly. He played the light on the metal, sending blinding rays into the eyes of his victims.
"I wouldn't tell you a hundred times. Where is my daughter?"
"I... I'm telling you that... we don't know."
"Really?"
He took a step towards the woman with a huge evil smile and placed the knife on her skin. The blood flowed slowly as euphoria took over him.
"Wait! I... I know her name."
"Yes?"
"It's... it's Isabelle Cliff."
"Perfect! It wasn't difficult after all, was it?!"
With that, he pulled out his gun and shot the couple in the head before leaving, his laughter echoing around him.
Chap. 1
The following day. 8:00 a.m.
"I can't believe it!" I exclaimed, sitting at a table outside the school.
With the newspaper in front of me, I looked at the front page: THE JOKER MURDERED A PEDIATRIC COUPLE. A picture of him was positioned underneath. He had a blood-red smile that contrasted with his pale skin and green hair. His eyes, sparkling with cruelty, were an impure blue. Tattoos were scattered here and there, sometimes hidden by a long purple coat.
"That does not surprise me of him," answered Clemence when she read in her turn the title.
"Yes, but..." I said, interrupted by the ringing of the bell.
I folded the newspaper and followed Clemence, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind, down the hallway to our chemistry class. Suddenly, I had a strange sensation and stopped, my hand resting on the edge of the door, and caught my breath. My vision momentarily blurred, taking me into the darkness. An incongruous image imprinted itself on my retina. Then I felt muscular arms supporting me, and I gradually came back to reality.
"Is everything all right?" said a voice behind me.
I turned and saw Remy, a young man with brown hair and almond green eyes, carrying me lightly. He smiled at me as I met his gaze and he pulled me up as if it were the most natural thing in the world to rescue damsels in distress.
"I'm okay," I replied, a little too sharply.
"You don't look like it, you're even paler than usual."
I went to sit down without paying him any attention, preoccupied by the vision I had had a few seconds earlier. I had caught a glimpse of two people, as if in a distant memory. Two people who I didn't trust and who symbolized, in my eyes, madness and fear: the Joker and his partner, Harley Quinn. My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the professor, and the room fell silent.
"Sir, I have a question before we start class," Remy suddenly said.
"Yes, go ahead, Remy, I'm listening," he replied.
"How can the Joker have such a white complexion?"
"As you probably know, it's not natural. The Joker, known for his legendary madness, fought his enemy Batman and lost. The police found him in acid with a brand new face: green hair, red lips and unprecedentedly white skin. Then, we are not sure how, he escaped and since then, the special forces are actively looking for him."
"So Harley Quinn was also dipped in acid?" asked someone in the back of the class.
"That's right, but it was the Joker's doing this time," said the teacher. "He wanted her to become like him."
"Well, she did, she's as crazy as he is," said a young man.
"That's because she's been brainwashed," said another.
"Yes, she wasn't like that before, she was a psychologist. Until the day she fell in love with the Joker," said another voice.
A debate ensued in the room, following theories about the origin of the two villains, each more far-fetched than the last. Words flew here and there, filling the room with different tones depending on who was saying them.
"Please calm down!" sighed the professor after a while, but no one paid him any attention.
As the commotion resounded around me, I opened the newspaper and looked at the picture on the front page. Details appeared, details I hadn't noticed before. Black streaks were poking through his green hair. Scars framed his body and his bulging muscles. Black circles appeared under his eyes, making them dark and mysterious, just like his owner: Mr. J.
Reading the article as quietly as possible, I couldn't figure out the motivation behind it. There was no logic in his actions. "People are not born bad, they become bad. The only thing is to know what made them evolve like that." I thought.
Before I knew it, the bell rang, startling me. After putting my things away, I left the room when a hand grabbed my wrist. I turned around, surprised, to find Remy carefully detailing the newspaper under my arm.
"I saw you reading it on the sly during the little debate," he said, pointing to it. "What do you know about him?"
"Are you spying on me now?" I replied, puzzled. "Otherwise, no, nothing that we already know."
"But you have learned something, haven't you? I can see it in your eyes," he objected, a little desperate.
"First, there is nothing in my look. Secondly, yes, I saw some details and..."
"Which ones?" Remy asked suddenly.
"Did you ever notice the black streaks behind the green ones?"
"Black like your hair?"
"Because there are different blacks?!" I said, irritated.
"Never mind. No, I hadn't noticed. Anything else?"
"He has scars too," I explained.
"That's normal for a psychopath!"
"If you don't want to listen to me, that's your problem. But I don't want your childish comments," I said, walking away.
"Wait! Please, Isabelle!"
I pretended I hadn't heard him and left without asking for help. As I walked away, a voice crept into my head, echoing over and over like a call. Two words were repeated over and over. Two words I knew perfectly well. My name: Isabelle Cliff.
Chap. 2
Same day. End of classes. 6:00 p.m.
"I'm going crazy! I hear voices now!" I said, addressing Clemence.
"No, it happens to everyone, don't worry," she reassured me. "I even heard Superman tell me once that I was going to pass my math exam, and I did it even though I hate it."
"Stop making fun of me, it's not funny!"
"So stop being paranoid over nothing," she replied.
Then, she went to join her boyfriend, Jordan, a brown-haired man with hazel eyes, and settled at his table, in the shade of an oak tree. I joined them by rethinking the words of this strange voice as well as the words of Clemence. She was right, after all, I had to be a little paranoid.
"Shall I take you home, neighbor?" said Jordan, cutting my thoughts short.
"No thanks, I'm going to walk a bit," I answered with a smile.
"Okay, see you tomorrow then!"
"I'll call you tonight," Clemence whispered to me before following the young man to his car.
"No worries," I said while picking up my bag.
Then, I left too, making my daily route. As I walked quietly in front of the school, headphones in my ears, I emptied my surroundings and let myself be lulled by the music that was echoing in my head. I was disturbed in my comfort by Jason, Jordan's twin, who was accompanied by his best friend, Remy.
"Hey, Isabelle! Have you seen my brother, by any chance?"
"He left with Clemence," I answered, stopping my favorite song.
"And he took the car?"
I nodded, preferring gesture to words.
"I'm going to kill him!" he cried. "Well, Remy, I guess you'll have to take me home."
"Indeed," nodded the interested.
"Well thank you Isabelle. See you later!"
"Goodbye boys!" I said as I went on my way.
As I watched the two young men go their separate ways, I noticed something. The Fried twins, whom I had known since I was a child, looked very similar physically, but their behavior was the opposite of each other. Jordan was a history buff who was concerned about his future while Jason loved to make fun of his brother and sports, especially basketball, was the only thing they had in common. Jason was captain of the school team and had been dating Lily, a cheerleader, for over a year. She wasn't one of those shallow girls and was down to earth. She was a very nice person though, I didn't know her very well, being a year younger than us.
As for Remy, he was on the basketball team as co-captain. He was good in class and always managed to get good grades. He and Jason were the sportsmen everyone loved. Unfortunately, he was also swimming in the high school team, just like me. It wasn't that I didn't like him, but every time I saw him he would find a way to make me angry. However, sometimes we had good times too. Memories of chasing each other down the hallways of the school, having water and shaving cream fights, and dares came flooding back. There was one in particular, however, that I cherished.
It was one night at swim practice when a water polo match was breaking out and Remy was having fun drowning and splashing me while guarding his team's goal. I stayed close to him so I could score against him and win the game. Then one of our classmates asked us if we were siblings. We burst out laughing so hard that we were half sunk. However, it was the first time we had laughed together. His laughter had been a melody to my ears. A melody that I have never forgotten.
Without realizing it, I took the wrong street and noticed with surprise that it led to a dead end. Turning around, I saw silhouettes at the entrance of the passage. I continued without paying attention to them. However, I did not know that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. They were blocking my way and coming dangerously close to me. Panic took over my body and my heart began to beat wildly. They were draped in dark clothes and hoods, so I could not examine their faces. One of them pulled a knife from her pocket and a cry of shock escaped my throat. Then I started to run, going as fast as I could. Thanks to my daily jog, I managed to lose them by only a few seconds. Until I bumped into a tall man with a pale face.
"Where are you going, my little one?" he asked me with a big smile.
Then, big hands grabbed my arms and imprisoned me. I struggled as hard as I could. I only managed to push one of my assailants away, hitting him in the nose. Blood poured from his wound and he cleaned himself with the sleeve of his jacket. The pale man cautiously stepped forward and with a nonchalant gesture, brought a wet glove that reeked of alcohol to my face. My eyesight began to fail and my limbs to stiffen. Then I fell into an endless sleep.
Chap. 3
The following day. 3:48 p.m.
As sleep washed over my body, I gradually regained consciousness and opened my eyelids. I stretched my numb limbs until I noticed where I was. Indeed, this room did not look like my bedroom and I was not sleeping on my bed. This one was twice as big and had sheets as white as snow. They smelled fresh with the scent of flowers. The room had only a few pieces of furniture including a couch with clothes on it and a mirror. Pushing back my covers, I let out a cry of surprise. My skin had grown pale and I now had two tattoos. The one on my left wrist said "Be Brave" and I had another one on my hip, still on the same side, where the inscription "Rotten to the core" was drawn. I stood up and walked to the mirror to assess the incident. How could this have happened?
When I arrived at my reflection, I didn't recognize myself. It was as if my body had changed. I had the same figure as before, but there were definite changes. My hair, previously black, was tinged with purple at the tips; my mouth had turned pink; and my blue eyes had a silvery, unreal look.
Dressed only in my underwear, I picked up the things left on the sofa and found that they were my size. There were black pants with holes in them, a bra hanging behind them with an interlacing of threads, a leather coat and Vans, all in the same dark shade. The contrast between the white and black made my skin and tattoos stand out, as well as the purple highlights.
Once dressed, I took my courage and opened the only door of the room. Following a maze of corridors, I finally arrived at the living room, where a person I could see from behind was standing. However, I recognized him easily. There was no mistaking his identity. His green hair was enough of a clue.
"I see you're awake," the person said.
"Ho... how do you know?"
"You're not particularly discreet."
These words made me the effect of a slap and memories on what had happened to me resurfaced in my head. I saw that man making me inhale his poison and then, the black hole. A fear came over me.
"What did you do to me?" I asked in a voice that I wanted to be calm and controlled.
"Oh nothing in particular, to tell the truth. Just a few changes, that's all."
"That's all?" I exclaimed in a small, thin voice. "I have tattoos on my skin and purple hair."
"Just like me."
"So that's it! You want me to look like you. Why?" I said, regaining my composure.
"There is a logical reason," he evaded.
"What reason?"
"I'm your father!"
"Do you think you're in a Star Wars remake or something?"
"Don't believe me if you want to, but it's the truth."
"And why should I believe you? You're the Joker after all!" I retorted.
"I see my reputation has preceded me," he said. "HAHAHAHAHA!"
His laughter echoed under my flesh, unlocking a horde of distant memories. I had heard that laughter somewhere before while a young blonde woman held me in her arms. However, there was something special about her hair. Hints of blue and red pierced her platinum color. I shivered as I identified her.
"If you're my dad, is my mom Harley Quinn?" I asked.
"Yes, it is. So you believe me?"
"I never said that! Why now?"
"Why what?"
"Why tell me now if it's the truth? Were you too busy killing people?"
"HAHAHAHA! I like your sense of humor, kid. But, truth be told, your mother had kept me from you."
"One wonders why! You're a serial killer! And don't call me 'kid'."
"First, you don't know me. Secondly, I do what I want and if I feel like calling you 'kid' I will, it's my right after all, being your father and all. Third, be careful what you say, I'm not really merciful with people who bug me but I'm making an exception for you, just today. Don't forget who I am."
"You don't know who I am, either," I stressed in a whisper.
"And that's very unfortunate indeed! As soon as I heard you existed, I started looking for you."
"Really?" I said unintentionally.
"Yes," he said, articulating carefully.
He exuded a certain irresistible charm and incredible confidence. I felt like I was safe with him. I know it sounds crazy considering who he is, but nevertheless, he made me feel good.
Coming to my senses, I took my eyes off his electric blue one and turned away from him. Strange similarities were appearing between us. The black hair, the blue eyes and my sharp sarcasm. No matter how much I convinced myself that he was telling a pack of lies, deep down I thought otherwise.
Reaching the front door, I stepped out of the house and plunged into the boulevard, dazzled for a few moments by the sunlight, without him coming to stop me or worse deliberately killing me. "Maybe I was wrong about him? "I thought to myself as I walked along the streets.
Chap. 4
Same day. 7:22 p.m.
When I returned home, I found chaos. The police were stationed at the entrance to my house and in front of the Fried's house. The avenue was turned upside down because of my disappearance. They were in for a shock when they saw me, first because I had returned, but also because of my transformation. My parents would have a fit when they saw my tattoos, and I couldn't hide them because of my bra, which showed everything.
Once inside the villa, I heard voices in the kitchen and slowly approached it. When my parents saw me, they looked relieved, angry, and surprised. The policeman they were talking to turned around and put his notebook away.
"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff, since you have found your daughter, you no longer need our services. She must have run away or fallen asleep at a friend's house. And since she didn't make it past the forty-eight hour mark, there's nothing we can do for you, sorry."
With that, he left and a few minutes later the police cars left the street. My parents, who had turned their attention away from me, looked at me condescendingly.
"Where have you been, young lady? You owe us some explanations," my mother said in a loud voice. "And no lies. And what's with the tattoos anyway? You better have a good explanation!"
"Mom," I said hoarsely. "I have to ask you a question."
"Is this really necessary?"
"Yes," I whispered. Then speaking louder: "Am I adopted?"
"What?" my mother hiccupped with a look of astonishment mixed with fear.
"It's time to tell her the truth, Iris," announced my father, who hadn't said a word. "I think she's already on to something."
"So it's true?!" I suddenly exclaimed. "I am not your daughter."
"Yes, you are our daughter. We have raised you and loved you as our daughter," he explained.
These words made my heart swell with joy but too many lies were hidden behind his words. Why lie to me if they loved me?
"Who are my parents?" I asked point-blank.
"No, don't ask us that," said my mother, who had blinked.
"It's the Joker, right, and Harley Quinn?"
"Yes," my father whispered. "We found you on our doorstep one night with a note. It said you were their daughter, but your real mother couldn't handle the responsibility. So she left you here for us to take care of. We had always wanted a child and despite your biological parents, we accepted you."
"Why did you hide it from me?"
"Why?" my mother repeated. "They are monsters who kill in cold blood. We didn't want that for you."
"And that justifies all your lies?"
"It was to protect you," she shouted.
"Protect me from what? From them? They won't hurt me. He didn't hurt me," I replied.
"What? Did you see him?" said my mother, stunned.
"That's not the point," I said, taking refuge in my room.
I had made my decision. I blocked the door of my room with a chair and rummaged through my things looking for things to take with me. However, I didn't want to remember that life. A life of lies and hatred towards people who didn't deserve it. So I left through the window without looking back, with a light heart.
As I walked around the garden, bending down in front of the windows, I noticed that a gray metal car was parked in front of my driveway. When I read the license plate, I knew who I was dealing with. I walked over to the car and opened the door.
"Hello," said the Joker. "Do you need a ride?"
"Yes, thank you," I replied, taking my seat on the passenger side.
Then he started the car and I was pressed up against my seat back. We were driving so fast that my heart started to race. I grabbed the handle, but it didn't make me feel better. We slalomed between the other vehicles with ease. Nevertheless, I couldn't hold back my cries of distress.
"No, but..." I began, but my words were lost in my throat.
"You have to trust me," he said. "And have a little fun. HAHAHAHAHA!"
He didn't stop until we reached the house I had left a few hours earlier. We were greeted by a beautiful woman who looked exactly like me. Harley Quinn. My mother. I looked exactly like her, physically, except for my dark hair, my eyes that I got from my father and my height. I was a head taller than her when she wasn't wearing her heels.
"Welcome home, my dear," she said in her soft voice. "Follow me, I'll show you your room."
I followed her through a maze of corridors to discover the room I had woken up in today. It was simple, a sign of a new beginning. And I was ready to start my new life.
Chap. 5
Same day. 7:58 p.m.
"Isabelle! Isabelle open this door!" shouted Mrs. Cliff, knocking at her daughter's door.
"Gerard, come and help me!" she said in despair.
When her husband joined her, he broke down the door to discover a broken chair and an empty room. They understood the moment they saw the window still open. Iris Cliff's heart broke when she discovered that her daughter was gone. She had raised her after all and loved her with all her being. But she was aware of the wrong choice she had made.
"What do we do now?" her husband asked.
"We do what we should have done earlier," she answered.
"Which is?"
"Revealing the truth," she said with a sigh.
The next day, posters were put up all over town.
Chap. 6
The following day. 7:30 a.m.
As I woke up to start a new day of classes, I found myself daydreaming about the life I wanted. A noise at my door interrupted me and I turned to my mother.
"Good morning, did you sleep well? she asked.
"Yes, I did, thank you."
"Here is a bag for your school. You'll find writing materials and notebooks in it," she said, handing me a black bag.
"Oh, thanks. Does this mean that the Joker has accepted my proposal?"
"Yes, but your father is very worried."
"Why?" I asked.
"I don't really know. Your breakfast is waiting for you."
A few minutes later, I was dressed as I had been yesterday, with no other clothes to wear, and I began to eat cakes while my mother worked in the kitchen. Then the Joker joined us and snatched a cake from the beautiful woman.
"Do you want me to drive you to school?"
"No, I'm fine."
"You can drive, right?"
"Yes, I just got my license. I turned 16 about... "
"Five months ago," my mother interrupted. "You're my daughter, it's not something you forget."
"Then I can leave you one of my cars," said my father, putting a key on the table.
"Thank you," I said with a smile.
When I finished eating, I took the keys and went out with my backpack. The car was waiting for me in front of the garage. Once I was settled in, I started the car and realized that it was a super easy car to drive. I arrived at the school in barely five minutes.
When I got out of the car, all eyes were on me. It must have been the effect of the car like in 17 again when Zac Efron gets out of his sedan and the girls turn around on him with fried whiting eyes. However, the faces of the people were either fearful or angry.
I continued on my way without paying attention to them. Then I was stopped in my tracks by a poster showing me with the Joker and Harley Quinn. It was an old photo of me, one of the few that could be found on the internet. Wide-eyed, I wondered how this could have happened.
"You monster," someone spat behind my back.
"What?" I said.
"You're a freak," he repeated. "Given the parents you have, it's normal."
Then, I was something that surprised me as much as the boy in front of me. I jumped on him and threw a fist in his face. Unfortunately, he avoided it and I was hit in the stomach. My breathing stopped and I didn't feel the next blow until it hit me in the temple. I tried to fight back, but my eyes blurred and I couldn't see. Then I found myself on the floor, writhing in pain, as laughter echoed around me. The boy was about to kick me when someone stopped him.
"Hey, that's enough!"
"Are you defending her?"
"No, but if it's really her parents, you'll be dead. Like all of you!" retorted the stranger.
At his words, everyone dispersed except him. He helped me to get up and took me to the infirmary where there was no one. He began to treat me, rummaging through the drawers, and took some ice which he placed against my aching head.
"Why did you help me, Remy?" I asked, cutting short the silence.
"Is that true?" he said, evading my question.
"Yes, they are my real parents," I answered.
"Changing parents doesn't change a person, that's why I'm helping you," he explained, after a long silence.
"What do you have against them?"
"Against Harley Quinn, nothing. Except maybe the fact that she follows the Joker like a shadow. And against him, a lot. He killed my father."
"Oh, I didn't know that. I thought David was your father."
"Everybody thinks so. My mother remarried before I knew the twins and therefore before I knew you."
"Oh I'm sorry," I said.
"Don't be, it's not your fault. Anyway, you're going to have a nasty bruise on your right cheek."
"I guess I deserved that."
"No, you didn't. He came after you. But promise me something."
"Yes?" I said, intrigued.
"Don't forget who they are, even if they are your biological parents."
"I promise."
Our eyes met and he smiled gently at me. He must have felt sorry for me with my pale complexion and bruised face. He moved his hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and watched me carefully. Escaping his uncomfortable gaze, I asked him:
"Do you think they will be able to change for me?"
"I don't know, Isabelle. But they have changed you a little."
"What do you mean? Earlier, you said the opposite," I replied.
"Yes, morally speaking. But physically, you have changed. What did they do to you?"
"Nothing very serious," I evaded.
"Yes, but you can never take them off again, can you?"
"I don't know, Remy."
We stared at each other until I looked away. There was a special glint in his eye that troubled me deeply. I couldn't find the words to describe it. And it frustrated me to no end.
"Do you want me to take you home? Besides, you have the look of a biker."
"Uh... is that a compliment? Actually, I don't really have a home anymore, I said with a sad look. Besides, I prefer the car to the bike, but thanks for the offer," I added.
"Okay, you decide. Yes, it was a compliment, at least for me," he said with a smile.
These words warmed my heart. He had reacted as I had wished, that is, without an ounce of pity or compassion in his words. Impelled by an impulse, I embraced him, putting my arms around his neck. He tightened his arms on my waist as we let ourselves be carried away in our embrace.
Chap. 7
Same day. 8:19 a.m.
While Remy went to class, I took refuge in the car I had been lent. Once I was settled in the seat, I collapsed inwardly and pounded the steering wheel, letting off as much steam as I had to spare.
I had never wanted this to happen, to be rejected and judged based on my family. I had never felt such an emptiness in my heart, an emptiness that made me sad and unhappy. An emptiness that prevented me from having any hope. Because my world had just shaken. To change. To take a turn for which I was not prepared. And I didn't know what to do.
Chap. 8
Two days later. 7:48 a.m.
I arrived at the school, more confident and self-assured than when I had left two days earlier. As the students looked at me with fear or anger, I raised my head with a look of defiance in my eyes, walking quietly on my way and ignoring the petty comments of some. When I finally reached the door of my classroom, my classmates hurriedly threw their bags on the chairs, so that I wouldn't come and sit next to them. But I didn't really care. I didn't need them or their charity. I sat in the back, alone, but with a huge smile that made the people in front of me shiver. I instilled fear in the people around me, and I went to use it to my advantage.
Then, my friends entered in their turn and my smile tightened. When I met Clemence's eyes, my confidence collapsed. She looked at me with disgust and contempt, as well as Jordan and Jason. Only Remy had some compassion and kindness in his eyes, but there was also pity in his attitude. And I didn't want his pity at all. Especially not from him who had been so comforting the other day. I didn't want to be seen as a poor, fragile, helpless little thing. This made me feel even angrier and more confident.
Suddenly he came over to me and sat down at the next table.
"You shouldn't sit there!" I warned him.
"So what? I do what I want," he said.
"Okay, you'll see what happens to you!"
Then the bell rang and the class began. Mathematics has always been my favorite subject, but that day my outlook had changed. When I raised my hand, I was never questioned. The teacher would stare at me with a strange look on his face and then pretend I didn't exist. My ego took a hit. And my fury at this horrible, evil world only increased.
Chap. 9
Same day. 4:00 p.m.
After isolating myself, or at least trying to, reality caught up with me. And here I was in the middle of a fight. Of course, it was my pride that pushed me to accept this challenge. Unfortunately, I was getting beaten up pretty bad and I wasn't very proud of it.
The boy I was fighting, a tough guy by the way, was throwing his punches without me seeing them or being able to dodge them. And soon I was on the ground, grimacing with pain, blood running down my face. It wasn't a pretty sight, I might add. As I groaned, I could vaguely hear the cries of victory around me.
"You monster!" someone in the crowd shouted. "You're a nobody."
Then it dispersed, leaving me alone to face my misfortune.
"Come on!" said a male voice that I knew very well.
Remy lifted me up and helped me walk to his motorcycle.
"Will you be able to stay on it?" he asked me gently.
I nodded, unable to say a word, because the taste of bile in my mouth was so awful. It took us only a few minutes to get to his house. Then he began to treat me with precise and gentle gestures. He disinfected my wounds, applied a healing balm to my bruises and closed my cuts with bandages.
"Why are you doing all this? While the others turn their backs on me?"
"I already told you," he said, concentrating on my wounds.
"Not clearly," I replied.
"Listen Isabelle," he said, plunging his gaze into mine, suddenly very serious. "People don't notice what I see inside of you: a loving, patient, caring girl who always wants to help when someone needs it, but I also see a strong, courageous, fearless person who faces her problems head on. And changing your clothes or your family is not going to change who you are. So why would I turn my back on you? Why would I turn my back on someone as great as you? Especially because... I like you, Isabelle."
At these words, I blushed and lowered my head. However, he raised it by catching my chin with a delicate gesture and put back a rebellious lock of hair behind my ear.
"You know, I love it when you blush," he whispered.
And he kissed me. When his lips met mine, the emptiness I had felt disappeared and my body ignited. The kiss, at first soft and tender, intensified and became more and more fiery and passionate.
Chap. 10
5 days later. 10:00 a.m.
It had been a week since people had been putting me down, but I had been living on cloud nine since Remy had kissed me. I tried to be as discreet as possible when I went to school and also to talk to my parents, all four of them. I understood why my adoptive parents had acted the way they had, to protect me. However, I had a hard time with the fact that my real parents were runaways. Besides, I didn't see them often, since the police were watching my every move.
"Hi," Remy said, placing a kiss on my lips. "Still in the clouds?"
"No, I'm just thinking," I answered.
"You're thinking too much, I can see the cogs in your brain turning over. You need to relax."
"But how can I do that with all that's going on?"
"I have some ideas," he said with a mischievous smile.
"Very funny!" I teased him.
"But you need to laugh, since, you know, the girls aren't here anymore," he said with a sad look.
"I don't want your pity, Remy, not right now. Yes, my friends have let me down, but I don't want you to do the same. I want to be seen as a normal person, not a monster because my parents are bad people."
"Hey, hey, I'm here," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "And I would never leave you alone."
"Thank you," I said with a small smile.
"Let's go to class," he said as the bell rang.
I was still sitting in the back so I wouldn't see the angry faces of my classmates, and also because the teachers never questioned me. Yes, my life had changed dramatically since I was in the headlines. And believe me, it was getting worse and worse.
Chap. 11
The following day. 3:55 p.m.
Sitting in class and waiting for the bell to ring, I watched the clock, which took pleasure in tormenting me. Five minutes later, even though for me it was more like fifteen minutes, the bell rang. I rushed out of the room so that I wouldn't have to face my classmates. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to do so as on other days and I had to stop in front of a group of boys.
"So you want to run away? You coward," said the taller boy.
"Yes, are you afraid of us or what?" said the one on his right.
"No, I'm just tired of it," I replied, annoyed.
"Oh, just like that, she gets angry."
"She has a name!" I shouted, burning with rage.
"Oh yes, all I know is that you are the Joker's daughter!" said the last one who spoke, spitting in my face.
And the fight resumed. I took blows from everywhere and tried to fight back, but I only made things worse. I ended up on the ground with blood running down my nose. I heard footsteps approaching and cowered in fear of more blows.
"Hey, are you okay? Can you move?" Remy asked.
"I think so. You shouldn't have seen that!"
"And you shouldn't have gotten angry!"
"I can't believe it! Did you see how they treated me?"
"Yes, but you provoked them," he said.
"Is this a joke?"
"No, I mean, Isabelle, look at what you did. You should never have done..."
"Get out of my way!"
"What's that?"
"Get out, it's clear! I don't want to see you anymore!"
"Very well," he said furiously.
And he left, far from me.
Chap. 12
The following day. 3:55 p.m.
Arriving at my birth parents' house, I looked for them through the huge house that was theirs.
"Hello," I shouted to make myself heard.
"Oh hey," my mother said, getting out of the car. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," I answered curtly. "Where's my dad?"
"Uh... how can I put this... he's working."
"What does that mean? That he's killing someone?"
"Well, let's say it's possible."
"I don't believe it," I exclaimed, "I can't believe it. I can't go on like this. You can't kill as you please. My comrades are right to be suspicious of me and of you at the same time. You are murderers!"
And I left like a fury towards the exit. Unfortunately, I ran into my father who was coming back, his shirt full of blood. So I did the only rational thing at the time, I slapped him with all my strength. He was shocked and caught off guard.
"You should be in jail!" I shouted before walking away, without turning around to see their faces.
Chap. 13
3 days later. 9:30 a.m.
I hadn't been to school for several days. My parents understood when they saw my face swollen and my ribs broken. So, I took the opportunity to mope around in my bed watching movies and TV shows. Then I heard the doorbell ring.
"I'm going, my darling," said my adoptive mother from downstairs.
It was a good thing, I was too lazy to get up. To tell the truth, I just got up to eat and pee, otherwise I stayed under my blanket.
"Isabelle, it's for you!" I heard my mother shout, bringing me out of my thoughts.
It was very strange. I hadn't had any visitors for several days. Thinking it was my other parents, I went downstairs and was taken aback by the vision I had. Remy was standing in the doorway of my house.
"Uh... hi," he said in a small voice.
"Hi," I replied curtly.
"I wanted to apologize for the other day."
"And it took you three days?"
"I was a little upset that you rejected me like that and was avoiding me by not going to school," he explained, embarrassed. "But then I realized my mistake. I should never have done that."
"No, you shouldn't have!"
"And I hope you can forgive me, even if it's years away. I've earned it, after all!"
"I'll... I'll think about it," I said sincerely.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. "Oh, and also, I don't suppose you've seen today's front page?"
"No, I'm avoiding looking at newspapers right now," I said.
"I think you'll want to look at this one," he said, putting a newspaper on a shelf next to him. "Have a nice day!"
And he left, leaving me wondering. I walked over to the shelf, undecided. My mother, who had left us alone, came back and took the newspaper in her hands. She read the first page carefully and then let out an exclamation of surprise.
"What?" I said, worried.
"You should see for yourself!"
Great! I was way ahead. I took the paper from her hands and read the article. I was speechless, shocked by what I read. I couldn't believe it. It changed everything! Contrary to what I thought, they cared about me.
See for yourself, the title says it all: THE JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN SURRENDERED FOR "THEIR DAUGHTER".
If you too are shocked, ask yourself how I must be feeling right now. Well, I'll tell you: a mishmash of feelings that I couldn't quite sort out. I almost collapsed, but my mother held me up at the last minute, keeping me from falling. Everything had changed. After that, it remains to be seen if it was for the good or the opposite!
Chap. 14
The following day. 7:42 a.m.
As soon as I arrived at the school, a horde of teenagers rushed towards me, cheering as if I were a hero. Which I was not! I was somewhat shocked. This was so unexpected! The day before, they stayed the furthest away from me and now they were cheering for me. Didn't anyone think it was weird?
"I don't believe it! How did you do that?" a girl said.
"Did what?" I asked, not knowing what she was talking about.
"Stop kidding us! We want to know everything!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Of this!" Another one said, showing me yesterday's newspaper.
"Oh, I don't know."
"Stop being so modest, we admire you, you know, for having the courage to fight against your parents!"
"Uh... "
Fortunately, Remy intervened and I didn't have to finish my sentence. He chased the crowd around me, receiving grunts in return.
"Thank you," I said with a smile.
"You're welcome. So you read the paper I gave you?"
"Yes, you know me. I'm so curious!"
"Yes, you are. People have changed since yesterday. They don't see you as the bad guy anymore."
"Yeah, it's about time!"
"Yes, it is. They've finally realized it! It took them a long time. I'm sorry for everything you've been through."
"You don't have to apologize for that," I said sincerely.
"I know, but I wanted to do it anyway. I can't imagine what it must have been like."
"Yeah, don't try."
"I hope that now everything will be better!"
"Oh, me too. You have no idea how much!"
"Between us too, I mean," he admitted, a little embarrassed.
"Oh... I hope so too," I admitted.
"Nothing will ever be the same again," Remy said in a small voice.
"No, but maybe that's a good thing!"
Chap. 15
Same day. 5:03 p.m.
I heard the gate ring before I saw it open. The room was large and well guarded. There must have been at least 10 guards in the room and twice as many in front of the door, as well as cameras everywhere. Well heard, even more in the whole building and outside. Well, they weren't kidding around here. Then I saw them approaching, in faded orange jumpsuits but still looking a little crazy. I was beginning to like that look, which didn't scare me like it did others.
"Hi," I said in a voice that was hoarse with emotion.
"Hey," my mother replied. "How are you doing?"
"Better, thanks."
Then I turned to my father. He still had the mark of my hand. I felt quite uncomfortable looking at him.
"I'm sorry I got carried away," I said. "And for the slap too."
"It feels good to get one from so many," he laughed.
"I'm so glad you're here," my mom said.
"Me too. I wanted to thank you for what you did for me," I said.
"Your father was a little reluctant, but I managed to convince him."
"But you know, we'll never stay here very long," he warned me.
"I know that."
"And you also know that we can't stay in the area once we're free."
"Yes, I know," I repeated, sadly.
"It's to protect you. Have your friends finally understood that you are not like us?"
"Yes. They see me as a bit of a hero. It's really weird."
"Enjoy it! You deserve it!" my dad said. "It was nice to meet you."
"You too," I said, fighting back tears. "Goodbye!"
"Goodbye," my mother said. "We're sorry we're not the ideal parents."
"You have nothing to reproach you," I reassured them.
Then I left, with tears in my eyes, knowing I would never see them again. I knew it was for the best, but I couldn't get used to the idea. After all, they were my real parents and what they had done for me showed how much they cared. The only good thing was that I was going to have some semblance of a normal life again. Yes, I would keep my tattoos and my porcelain skin for life. But at least I would have something of the Joker and Harley Quinn left: a memory for life.
END.
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