We entered The Cage apprehensively. My friends were brave enough to come with me but hesitant enough that they stood behind me. But as I looked on the ground where the streetlights created shadows, I saw that Aasim's shadow was standing closer to mine.

I squinted so that I could see more clearly into the darkness. Silhouettes emerged and started to surround us, pushing us into the middle without even having to touch us.

"This was a bad idea." Aasim muttered under his breath.

"No no no no no. This was an amazing idea," a familiar menacing voice spoke. A laugh erupted from him then he came face to face with me.

"How about a magic trick?" The Joker jeered.

"Yes," Zeth replied as the rest of us said no. We all looked at him bewildered. However, Zeth only shrugged.

"Hey! I said do you want to see a magic trick?" The Joker repeated. He didn't wait for an answer again before sacks were placed over our heads and we became unconscious.

I woke up slumped on a chair, isolated in a small, empty room. Well it was barren except for the man with the palest face I've ever seen with a creepy grin and scheming green eyes above it.

" You know, I live for these moments with you Jackie."

I snorted. "I don't. You have tormented me psychologically. You ha-"

"How's your mum doing?"

"What?"

"Jocelyn Napier," my mum's name rolled off of his tongue.

"She's... how is that any of your business?"

"Well Jackie you are my business now and that means everything about you is my business and you know what that means? You can... no. You will help me in my business."

"Where are my friends?"

"Aww isn't that sweet? You have lapdogs following you around loyally. I do too. We're similar, you and I."

I scanned The Joker's face in disgust and he seemed to read my mind. He waved a finger around his face, gesturing to it.

"Maybe we're not the same in looks but we're similar in here." He pointed to his head, obviously referring to his mind. I narrowed my eyes.

"They're not my lapdogs so don't ever call them that."

"They all need something. That's why they followed you to The Cage. Everybody in this world is all about self-interest. Me me me, it's a me world Jackie!" As he spitted these words in my face, his head shook absurdly with a crazed look in his eyes.

"To them, you're just a freak, like me! They need you right now, but when they don't, they'll cast you out, like a leper!" I cringed as white foam filled his mouth and dripped down The Joker's lips, a vein popped in his neck revoltingly. He ran his tongue around his lips blood painted lips distastefully. 

"I run a business here. I expect you to be apart of my business as well as your friends. Now..." The Joker sneered.

"Let's talk business." 

*****

Short chapter. Do you guys prefer short chapters by the way or are the long ones fine?

Did anyone notice some of the famous lines from The Joker?