I let the tears fall as soon as I heard the door click and his footsteps fade. He was disgusting. I mean sure, his voice wasn't but his words were. In fact his voice was quite...luring. I don't know why he keeps me here though-- locked up like some animal; a trophy.

I am not merchandise. I am not a trophy. I am not an animal. I am not an item. I am a fucking human and I will not live like this. I've lived throughout my entire childhood caged up and controlled. My father never abused me, I was his favorite but that never stopped him from hitting my mother and siblings. Watching my mother helpless to my father, knowing I couldn't and didn't do anything to truly stop it till I got older paralyzed me. I lived in fear. I had let it control me.

Fear can do some nasty stuff to a person if you let it control you...fear changes you. I didn't get nasty like my siblings, instead I became closed off and stubborn. I also became highly and dangerously protective over someone like my mom.

My siblings went off the bad end. They turned to prostitution, drugs, abusive relationships and other crimes to indulge themselves into. They completely disconnected from me; they hated me. I was 'daddy's favorite'. I never understood exactly why I was his favorite but I honestly didn't want to know.

Right after I turned 18 I took my mom and helped her escape my father. I took her under my care and worked three jobs just to keep the money rolling and our profiles low. I had to really pick up the pace when my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 20. The cancer developed into something more complex and spread; she died four years later leaving me handicapped and frozen.

I had put all my time and energy into protecting her, worrying about her, keeping her safe. And then when she was gone I felt utterly lost. My mom was gone, I had no one.

I didn't have a lot of friends, didn't really have the opportunity but she wasn't just my mom. She was my best friend. I and her had a bond most mother and daughters never had an opportunity of developing. We had been through hell together and together learned to conquer it and live without fear controlling us.

I decided to distract myself and try out college after my mother died but I didn't have quite enough money to attend. I was still paying off many of my mom's chemo treatments and doctor's bills. So instead I settled for working at a local karate dojo and becoming the instructors assistant. His name was Sammi Lee and he was a great friend to my mother and I. He was the first to accept and take us in when my mother was still alive; he taught us how to defend ourselves and guided us through our tough times. He introduced to us on how to conquer fear.

"Don't let fear control you...clear your mind." I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. The words seemed silly and basic but they were helpful to me and were true. I focused on steadying my breathing and carefully replayed the events in my head slowly looking for reasons not to be afraid. Within minutes I had a list ready:

1. He doesn't hit me.

2. I have LOTS of food and access to the bathroom...wait no I don't. Shit I have to pee...

3. I have an expensive bed!

4. I haven't been tortured or raped.

5. His voice is sexy.

6. Ignore Five it's irrelevant...along with Six

7. I almost killed him.

I exhaled deeply content with my small but positive list. The worst thing he's done so far was take my freedom. And what do Americans do? Fight for their freedom and that's just what I'm going to do.

What a patriotic moment, I should be Captain America.

I smiled to myself a little bit and felt my body relax and cool down. That's it, fight the fear; conquer it and you won't lose yourself, I thought to myself. I remained up against the wall for several more minutes before I pushed off it and began to pick up the scattered food that I'd thrown. That's when I felt my bladder tighten and knew it was time to go.

I cursed myself as I began pounding on the door. "I HAVE TO PEE!" I yelled that for what seemed like minutes when in reality it was only seconds.

A soft knock came from the door followed by a light chuckle. Joker. I took a step away from the door and bit down on my lip; fear was beginning to sit at the pit of my stomach. "What's the magic word?" His soft silky voice teased.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. "Please." I said quietly, barely loud enough for him to hear.

After a moment the locked clicked and he opened it. "Well that isn't what I had in mind but that will do. The magic word is actually Hocus-Pocus." He shrugged before stepping aside and having one of his men take me from room.

Before I could stop myself I snorted. "That's dumb." I quickly replaced the small smile with a scowl though and tensed as the man's hands gripped my wrists.

I was too late though, he'd already seen my falter and grinned back at me. It wasn't too terrible though; the grin had actually a touch of genuine amusement and happiness. The change in behavior (or in this case, a grin) caught me off guard and my scowl washed away.

"It's nice to hear your laugh doll. You have a beautiful smile." He drawled out in that special way he speaks. "Even when it doesn't quite reach your eyes." He mumbled, his eyes lazily falling over me. I shuddered and tried not to sway beneath his charming words and voice. I was disgusted to feel the heat rise to my cheeks as he'd said that. I wanted to punch myself for blushing.

"That wasn't a laugh." I argued, lifting my chin.

"We'll get there." He said with a nonchalant shrug as he snapped his fingers cueing that the man could usher me out to the bathroom.

I pulled against the man's tight grip before giving up and letting him push me from the room. Instead I put my focus onto Joker and glared. "We won't get anywhere. I hate you." I hissed not caring about how childish I sounded.

His smile became taunting and wicked again as he leaned into my ear while I passed. "If you hate me so much, why are you blushing baby?"

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Hello darlings! Did any of you notice the slight Marvel/DC crossover? Haha I'm so sinful! ;)

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I know this chapter may have seemed a bit drab or boring but it was necessary and important for you readers. This chapter gives you an opportunity to understand Elizabeth and why the way she is.

Anyway, thanks you for reading!

- stay crazy, xoxo