**A Cry for Help**

Prompt: Dc fanfiction Harley gets a panicked call from one of her psych patients saying he’s off his meds

Harley Quinn leaned back in her chair, a half-finished mug of coffee cooling on her desk, uncharacteristically thoughtful. The vibrant colors of her hair—pinks and blues—tumbled around her shoulders, and she absently twisted one of the strands as she reviewed case files. Life at Arkham Asylum had its routine, even amidst the chaos. That morning was supposed to be just another day of therapies and group sessions, but the sharp trill of her phone startled her from her reverie. “Hey, Doc!” came a shaky voice from the other end. It was Benny, one of her more troubled patients. “I… I don’t feel so good.” Harley’s heart raced. “Benny? What’s wrong?” She could hear the tremor in his voice and it stirred a sense of urgency deep within her. “I’m off my meds,” he gasped, panic layering each syllable. “I thought I could handle it! I wanted to see how I’d feel without them, and now… I just can’t… I’m seeing things!” She stood up instantly, pushing her chair back with a clatter. “Okay, okay, just breathe, Benny. Where are you?” “In my apartment… it's dark. I’m scared, Harley.” She bit her lip. He was alone, running through scary thoughts, and hadn’t he just told her a week ago how his medications helped stabilize his reality? “Listen to me, Benny. You need to focus, alright? Can you look around you? What do you see?” “A… a shadow. A big shadow, lurkin’ in the corner. It’s not real! I know it’s not! But it feels so real!” His voice cracked, and Harley could almost picture him shivering in the dark, his wide eyes darting around. “Benny, shadows can trick our minds, especially when we’re feeling vulnerable. You’re stronger than you think. Can you turn on a light?” “No! What if it comes to get me?” Her heart twisted at the thought of him feeling so helpless. “Listen to my voice, Benny. Take a deep breath. If you turn on the light, I’ll be right here. I promise the shadow can’t hurt you. It’s your mind playing tricks. It’s like a clown sneaking up on you, ya know? Not real, but scary all the same!” After a pause that stretched on like an eternity, she heard the soft click of a switch. Light flooded through the line, and Benny gasped, “Oh God, it’s not here anymore! I can’t see it!” “Good! See? You’re powerful. You’ve shined a light on that fear. Now, let’s keep talking,” she said, trying to keep her tone calm. “What else do you see?” “I… I see my couch. It’s covered in blankets. I thought I had thrown them out.” “Right, you should! It’s messy. Tell me what they look like?” “They’re… they're all pitiful! And the patterns—one is stripes, the other has birds on it! I should've gotten rid of them. They remind me of—” He inhaled sharply. “Can they—they come back, right? The memories?” Harley felt a pang of sorrow. “Benny, memories can be just like shadows. Some are comforting, and some might feel like they scratch at your insides. That’s normal. But right now, we’re facing a shadow that can’t touch you. That’s all it is.” “They hurt, Harley. They hurt a lot.” “Yeah, I get that, hon. But remember how far you’ve come? You're facing those shadows. All those times we faced the tough stuff—remember when we tackled your past?” “Yeah, I guess…” His voice softened a little; the crackle of terror fading gradually. “Right! You took a giant leap then, and you can do it again! But first, we gotta get you back on your meds.” “My doctor said I need to be strong… that one day I can handle it.” “Yeah, but strength doesn’t mean doing it alone. Sometimes, it means reaching out. You wanna be strong, right? So let’s find that strength together.” The warmth of her encouragement spilled through the phone, and she imagined his shoulders sagging just a bit in relief. “Okay. I’ll… I’ll try. But I feel so lost, Harley.” Harley leaned against her desk, steadying herself. She knew that feeling too well—the heavy weight of uncertainty pressing down. “Benny, when you feel lost, you look for a map. Right now, that map is your medication. It’ll guide you. Do you have any on hand?” “Um… yeah, I think so. But I don’t wanna go to the kitchen—I swear I heard something! What if it’s still lurking?” “Okay, I’ll keep you company. I’ll be your shadow!” she chimed, trying to infuse humor into the conversation. “I can be your very own safety blanket! I'm right here!” With a small, tentative laugh, Benny whispered, “You’re not scary, you know that?” “Whaaaat? Me? A clown with a hammer? How could I be anything but terrifying?” Another chuckle floated through the air, and Harley encouraged him, “C’mon! Let’s conquer that kitchen and your demons together! You got this!” After several reassuring moments, she heard the distinctive creak of a floorboard, the shuffle of nervous footsteps. “Fine… I’m doing it—going to the kitchen!” “Good! Just a couple of steps at a time. Light’s on, remember?” “Okay… okay…” His breath grew steadier, and in the small moments of that ordinary afternoon, Harley’s heart swelled. She was not just there to fix others; she could be a beacon of hope, a guide through the darkness. “Did you find your meds?” she prompted when he was silent for too long. “Yeah… I see them,” he muttered softly, relief swelling in his voice. “Great! Take it slow, alright? We’re not rushed. Just a sip of water, then onward!” “Okay… Thanks, Harley. I don’t know what I’d do without ya.” “You might just find out, Mister. But let’s not go there, ‘kay? You’re not alone, and I’m just a phone call away.” As Benny took a sip of water, she felt the tightness in her chest ease. Here was a reminder of why she had chosen this path. Helping others navigate the stormy seas of their minds wasn't just a job—it was a lifeline.