The scariest type of monsters are the ones that seem human and familiar.

His monster held a knife, a crowbar, and a smile.

Assuredly, the most fearsome weapon he wielded was that minefield of a smile.

With every wound he inflicted on the boy, his smile became more deranged, and his laughter more demented.

The boy -Jason- had come to realize this every time the metal made contact with his skin. With every bone that snapped and every cry he made, he became aware of how true that fact really was.

It was only when the crowbar came crashing down on his head that the thought of him dying crossed his mind. It was only when black spots began to fill his sight, did he really begin to fear for his life.

The maniacal laughter sounded loudly throughout the warehouse, planting itself forever inside Jason's brain. He glanced up at his torturer through the shattered lens of his mask, watching that grin grow impossibly wider.

"So, our little birdie is awake after all! I thought you had gone to sleep on me!"

He trembled as the cool steel was pressed against his face, forcing him to look up at his captor.

"Let me tell you a little secret. This is going to hurt you a lot more than it does me."

He let out another burst of chaotic laughter as he brought the weapon down on Jason one, two, three, four times. He stopped only once to gather his breath, cackling with glee as he did.

Jason's breath came harder when the first rib broke. He cried out when the second and third crumbled, and he feared a punctured lung when he felt the fourth shatter.

The Joker knelt down into Jason's line of sight and poked him on the cheek.

"I'm going to ask you a very important question, so make sure you pay attention. I don't want to repeat myself!" He giggled as he stood up and dropped the crowbar. The clang of the metal echoing loudly as it hit the floor.

He grabbed Jason by his cape and dragged him to one of the warehouses support beams, a smeared path of blood following him. He leaned Robin up against it and Jason moaned when his ribs were jostled.

"Good, you're still awake. Now, pay attention! I want to hear your answer after!"

The Joker walked away and retrieved his crowbar, shaking it a few times to get rid of the blood.

"Tell me, what hurts more? A?" The Joker hit the side of Jason's face with the end of the crowbar, "Or B?" He swung the metal again, this time hitting the opposite cheek. Jason rolled his head with the blows, trying to lessen the damage. "Forehand?" he hit Jason again, "Or backhand?" Jason slumped forward and spit blood onto the floor, wheezing.

"Now-now-now, look at the mess you've made. Didn't Batman ever teach you any manners?" The Joker giggled when Jason fell onto his side, too pained to continue holding himself up.

The Joker stared down at Robin for a moment, face uncharacteristically blank. "I'll be back in a minute Birdboy, don't go anywhere!"

Jason watched as the Joker skipped away out of his line of sight.

This wasn't how it was supposed to end. Robin wasn't supposed to die. Jason inhaled sharply as he rolled onto his side. Where was Batman? Where was Bruce?

He clenched his teeth and forced his arms underneath his legs, bringing them to his chest, ignoring the cuffs for now. The weight of his body shifting onto his knees almost made him scream. He bit his tongue, drawing blood. He had to escape, he needed to get out.

Jason's slow crawling was stopped by a swift kick to his stomach. He cried out as he collapsed and felt another kick find its way to his body.

"Leaving so soon?" The Joker asked, voice rising and falling in pitch as he spoke. "We were just getting started!" Jason squeezed his eyes shut when the Joker's putrid breath wafted into his nose.

"How dare you try to leave early. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" He knelt down closer to Jason, grinning widely.

"F-f"

"What was that Birdy? You're going to have to speak louder than that!"

"F-fuck y-you!" Jason managed to gasp out, spitting onto Joker's face.

The Joker's wide grin transformed into a deep frown. He stood up and rained blows down on Jason's already broken body.

"How," he grunted, kicking Jason's body, "rude," he kicked him again, "I think it's about time I leave. What do you say?"

Joker reached down and grabbed Jason by the hair, causing him to cry out.

"Listen! Oh, how the little bird sings!" He threw Jason into the middle of the warehouse.

Jason rolled onto his back, his eyes glazed over and his breath came out weakly. Was this how it ended? Was this really how he was going to die? His mind wandered to Dick. Jason was supposed to meet him for ice-cream when he got back from space. How would Dick handle his death? How would Bruce?

Jason heard a few beeps sound out from behind him and he craned his neck to look. He couldn't see much because the Joker's body was once again blocking his sight.

"W-wha" Jason tried to form words but his body wasn't listening to him anymore. Everything was getting fuzzy.

The Joker turned around at Jason's weak sound, looking at him pitifully.

"Well kiddo, I gotta go. It's been fun though, right?" He paused, waiting for Robin's reply, getting nothing but a weak groan. "Well, maybe a smidge more fun for me than you. I'm just guessing since you're being awfully quiet." He walked away from Jason and headed towards the door, opening it and stepping out.

"Anyway, be a good boy, finish your homework, and be in bed by nine. And, hey, please tell the big man I said..."hello". The Joker started to laugh hysterically at this and slammed the door closed, leaving Jason alone to his thoughts.

The crazed laughter could still be heard faintly through the closed door as the Joker left. Jason released a breath he didn't know he was holding. His relief, however, was short-lived as he heard a rhythmic beeping from behind him once more.

He rolled onto his stomach and looked behind him. It was a bomb. The Joker had left him with a bomb. Jason squinted his eyes, trying to read the timer.

00:28

Jason scrambled to his knees and hurriedly crawled towards the door. Leaving yet another trail of blood behind him.

00:15

He reached the door and stretched his arms up to the knob, ignoring the sharp pain the movement brought.

He twisted the knob. Nothing. He twisted it again. It was locked. He'd been locked in. He let out a frustrated cry.

Jason turned and leaned his back against the door. He blinked rapidly a few times, getting rid of the wetness that had begun to gather. He wouldn't cry. He would not cry.

00:05

Jason sucked in a few deep breaths. Batman wasn't going to make it.

00:04

He wasn't going to meet Dick for ice-cream.

00:03

He was going to die, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was going to die alone.

00:02

Jason closed his eyes and breathed out once more.

00:01

Sorry, Bruce...

00:00

 
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Hey everyone! This is a little thing I wrote a few weeks ago. What do you think?

It was originally meant to be a One-shot but, if you like it enough, I'll add more chapters! So be sure to leave a review!

Is it bad that I wrote this while listening to Christmas music? Probably

Well till next time,

Rachel