Chapter Text
You don't try to get up when the door opens, focusing on the pain in your ribs instead to try and quell the sense of uncontrollable panic.
In the beginning, you would rush the door every time it opened, trying to escape. It didn't matter how badly you were injured already; you'd fight your way out and make it through as many of Joker's men as you could. One time you'd even gotten out into the next corridor. It was always only a matter of time though. You were beaten. Every single time.
Now? You were pretty sure he left the door unlocked sometimes. Another test. There was always another test. You did your best to pass them these days. It wasn't worth the consequences if you didn't. You'd learned that the hard way. There was no escaping the consequences.
There's a pause. He's waiting for you to look up. He doesn't need to tell you anymore, his conditioning setting your nerves on edge. Look up.
You meet the bright green eyes of the Joker, and he smiles wide. A chuckle rumbles deep in his chest setting off tremors in yours. You didn't know what he was going to do, but you knew you weren't going to wait long to find out. There was no predicting the mad clown's moves. You'd learned that the hard way too.
A henchmen's clomping footsteps grow louder against the stone floor, only one. Unperturbed, Joker keeps his eyes on you. A reaction then; He wants to see your reaction. It must be something big, or he would just watch the monitor from the camera in the corner of your cell.
You would think after all this time, that surely, he must have elicited every response possible from you by now. But time after time he proved you wrong. Each time worse than the one before.
He moves slightly to allow the goon into the doorway which is when you realise that it’s Big Paulie. He is carrying something. You can only catch a glimpse of it in your peripheral vision at first, unable to be the first to look away - he didn't like it when you did that. A short nod of his approval sends relief shooting through your spine and he glances pointedly to his lackey.
Paulie throws it - a body, you quickly realise - into your cell with a thud. It's been years, but you would recognise the green and red of the unconscious lump anywhere. It's a Robin.
Panic. Panic and fear and anger rip through your mind making you flinch violently. You whimper, recoiling away from the body to push yourself tight against the wall, raw emotion taking over.
The sight of the suit alone made you want to be sick, an unwelcome reminder of everything that had landed you in your current predicament. The nausea boiling over into rage at the thought of the man responsible for ruining your life. Batman.
The fucking Bat had let another Robin get taken, like cannon fodder for his sick and twisted game with the Joker. This poor bastard kid didn't stand a chance.
And the Joker dumping his prize at your feet like it meant something - of course it meant something, everything he did meant something - a test. Another test. Oh God. What was he going to make you do?
Nausea curdled in the pit of your stomach. He had put you through some unspeakable, unimaginable things in the past, but something told you this was going to be the worst ordeal yet. Were you meant to kill him? No, Joker would want to do that for himself. It would probably be a kindness if you did kill him, but did he deserve kindness? He worked with the Bat. He was your replacement. He didn’t deserve shit. But why did he put him in with you? There were other cells, you’d seen them before. Mr J must be expecting something to happen. But what?
Joker began to cackle, no doubt amused by your turmoil. It takes another moment before you can tear your eyes away from the Kevlar. You look up at him and there must be something in your expression that amuses him because he laughs even harder at you. He turns away from you to leave, having had his fill.
"Mr J - Sir?" The honorific slips out. A nervous tick. You hate how pathetic your voice sounds but you needed some kind of hint; a clue or instruction so you knew how to pass this impossible test. Mr J – Sir, why is he here? What do I do?”
Joker doesn't turn back, ignoring your pleading as he walks away. His laughter ringing in your ears as they exit, leaving you alone with an unconscious body and your swirling thoughts.