“I
won't do it. This whole thing is crazy and unbelievable.” I stand
up from the couch, and away from the book.
“So
you're just going to run away, Oliver?” Emily sighs and runs her
fingers through her dark green hair. “He'll follow you to the end
of the road, to the edge, and throw you off... Now is not the time to
run. Or else it will only get worse.”
I
look down at the book one more time. The smile of the Joker spirit
taunts and intimidates me. My fists clench together. My head rings
with that dreaded familiar voice. “She lies. Leave before she
fetches her minions to dispose of you.” My eyes widen with shock.
“What
is it, Oliver?” Emily asks. The long and scraggly fingers of fear
are wrapped around her words. I turn away from the image.
“Nothing.
I'm leaving. Thanks for everything. Maybe I'll see you around.” I
speak quickly and collect myself. The steps happen without my
prompting. My hand wraps around the doorknob.
“Oliver,
wait! Don't go just yet. I know some people that might be able to
help. They're more versed in the realm of spirit than I am. They
might have a solution.” The door opens to my manipulated will. I
turn to look at Emily for one final glance. A grin overtakes my face
as I wave her goodbye. Terror occupies her face.
I
don't look back as I make my way out of the apartment building. The
day is bright and welcoming. People walk past me as if they can't see
me. I make silly faces to some. A crowd passes by, and I blend myself
into it.
“Are
you the Joker?” I ask the intruding voice in my head once I find
sanctuary from other people. The woods around me show little care for
my existence. The path I took here is impossible to find. Emily
doesn't know about this place.
A
laughter rings in my ears. “Of course not!” The voice happily
exclaims. “That would be Emily! Oh that devilish spirit has
possessed her and is using her to destroy you! That spellbook is
nothing but the scribblings of a madman! Do not worry about it,
however! We have taken the proper steps to assure that she is
powerless to harm you!”
I
sit down on a collapsed log. “You don't sound like the same spirit
as I had known in my room. Explain.” The interrogation begins.
“I
am not the same! I had been passing by the apartment when I sensed
the Joker's presence! I believe he went from you to her! There is
little we can do for her now!” The cheery tone that the spirit uses
when he speaks is unsettling, although more attractive than the
aggressive amusement of the Joker.
“Okay,
so where do we go from here?”
The
laughter appears once more, only to fade before the spirit speaks.
“To a confessional, where you know who is the priest. Concealing
your temptations will not aid you. Go, and tell her the truth. The
whole truth.”
I
bite my lip. “Okay. I will.”
-Zero
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