"Troubles rarely ever come one by one. . . They come by twos instead."

She stood in line at the bank. . . she was bored. She knew what was coming in a few short moments. A bank robbery and no matter how much she wished different it seemed like she would be getting caught in the middle of it. She would have to watch her reactions. Wouldn't want them to think she was going to be a problem.

She was second in line when the first gunshots were fired. She followed the victims example and got down following the shouted orders. She noted the familiar dress of the joker. His mask completely opposite from the Glasgow smile etched on his face beneath the mask.

He came around remaining silent and handing each of them grenades. He came to her and just handed her one. He gave her a searching look before moving on without pulling out the pin. She sighed in relief not really wanting to have to throw the RPG.

She didn't like explosives much. Though she knew the joker did this more out of wariness for her throwing it at him. And she would without hesitation if he pissed her off enough. As of now he still held her respect. Small though it was she didn't need to make an enemy of him.

When he killed the final robber and then the bus driver she commended him logically for his cunning. Emotionally she was disgusted by the lack of value he put on life. He then was called attention to the bank manager. He stuck a smoke bomb in his mouth though the man didn't realize it.

"I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you. . ." he pulled off the mask revealing the glasgow smile. His war paint and his dark as death eyes. "Stranger."

He had a flare for dramatics and putting on a show. He had a knack for terrifying people after of coarse they knew what he was capable of. He wasn't narcissistic or psychotic. He was an anarchist at heart and a man with brains beyond the criminal world and within it. He was the worst or best of monsters depending on how you looked at it.

Before the sirens pulled in she tossed her RPG aside and walked out. So much for the bank today. She rode her bike back home. She was going to start training again. Her earlier fight with the joker was proof she had let herself slip.

She would have plenty of time to pick up her precious human package later. For now she prepared herself. Something was coming. Something was beginning now. She needed to be prepared. Better to get your umbrella ready before the storm unleashed its fury.

'The clouds have gathered all that's left is for it to begin rolling across the city.' she reasoned while she ran.

**************★**************

Alisa was bouncing up and down with excitement as she waited for the illegal liquor to be unloaded. The mobsters exchanged cash for the liquor and marijuana. She had seen this many times in her life. It wasn't surprising and she realized it was just another day.

Eli was supposed to be here after the mobsters left. No one in the city needed to know her criminal connections. Though everyone in the family didn't agree with her lifestyle no one wanted trouble brought to her doorstep.

When she saw Eli's short casual clad frame walk around the ally ways mouth she jumped out of the truck and ran to her. She collided with her mother,  for all intents and purposes, Eli's arms wrapped around her snuggly.

"You have grown so much little bit. How was the ride?" she asked kneeling down before her.

"Pretty good the boys were nice enough." she shrugged.

Eli wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked to the truck. Grabbing Alisa's bags and the chest of her special delivery of moonshine.Soon Eli promised that she could meet Corcoran. She couldn't wait.

*****************************

It was good having the little figure beside her once more. She was happier than she had been in a while. Though Alisa needed to dress down a little more. The narrows they ambled through were no place for fine dressed folk.

"So hows school work going?" she asked as they walked.

"Good im ahead of everyone in my studies. Can I go to an actual school now?" She asked

"No not yet lets see how things are when you get to middle school and high school." she answered the routine question.

"Alright. . . I don't want to be homeschooled for the rest of my life." she said

"You wont be forever." she lied.

Her family had learned it wasn't good to put kids in school. They needed schooling but not the social situation the school systems offered. It was best to keep them home furthur their studies and train them. They didn't need to be social when they would take up the criminal activity of the family buisnesses.

"Here it is. Corkys pub." she announced entering the place.

She noted the people in the bar. She needed to know what each was capable of. She didn't need any surprises when Alisa was near. She had to be kept safe. Until she was old enough to see to her own safety.

*************★***************

He watched the pair amble into the pub. He buttoned up the green vest and fingered the purple coat in his hands. He knew the woman. He knew of the girl. Her sandy blonde  locks were curly and light. Her smile beaming.

She was beautiful. Just like he had been years ago. Just like her mother had been. Before the world burned around him. He noted a couple off mob goons following the pair too. He slung on the coat and walked down the stairs.

Corcrans bar used to be a speak easy in the 1930s. A stairway and upper room was hidden and the purfect place for his planning. Soon he wouldn't need to hide anymore.Soon he would show the world what anarchy truly was. He watched through the peep holes as the gone sat against the wall as Eli and his. . . her daughter ate some of Corcrans stew.

The two seemed unaware of themselves being etched though he kept his eyes glued to the pair regardless. His thumb fingering the blade of his favorite knife. The only sign of his nervousness. His eyes were focused and watchful.

*************★***************

She sipped her moonshine lovingly. Noting the Celtic knot design on the lid. The same knot design she had tattooed on the skin of her hand. The symbol of her family. Unity, freedom, and cycles of life and death. Her family. Her symbol.

Hairs raised upon her skin gooseflesh raised. Instincts told her she was being watched and not only from the mob goons sitting in the shadows behind her. She patted Alisa on the back hugging her close.

"Go to the room behind corkys bar. Lock the doors and take this. Men have followed us and I must take care of it. Hide and don't be found." She murmured in Appalachian Gaelic.

"yes." she gripped the small knife and hopped down.

She twirled as if looking for a man to fuck that night. Gazing at the crowd. She settled on the pair crooning her finger at them. Challenging them to come to her. Gazing straight into their eyes.

They rushed her and the blood bath commenced. She sliced and slashed digging her blade in deep. They had guns but it wasn't so hard to avoid them and disarm them. When she was walked away from them blood pooled benneath the bodies. She knew these guys were from the local mob.

They were coming after her. the only criminal she had dealings with in this city had been this morning. She prayed he wasn't stupid enough to steal from the mob and get her involved not after Alisa just came. She sat back down and nodded for corky to get the girl.

She mulled over the enigma known as the joker. He wasn't stupid he knew what he was doing. He was the type of criminal to send a message and get attention. He didn't care for money. He would be one of the criminals smart enough to steal from the mob. Alisa sat down beside her.

"Corky I need to ask you something serious." she said to the Irishman.

"What is that " he asked.

"Would the joker steal from the mob and be dumb enough to get me involved?" she asked raising an eye row in question.

"Aye he would. He cares little for others. He.  . ." she held up a hand.

"Spread the word any mobster coming after me and mine will suffer like their predecessors did. I personally see to it that this city is burned to the ground. Oh and tell Jester I'm looking for him." she rose grasping the little girls hand. She called over her shoulder. "He owes me another coffee pot."