Between Stripes

T W O

Why on earth couldn't I get that cheeto-haired maniac out my mind? I'd somehow developed a new voice alongside Up and Down, it was Jerome. And I'd known him two days. Talked and sat with him for four hours. Weird, right? How quick you can find friendship!

Kill him.

Use him for you're own benefit then, kill him.

Don't kill me. You're too obsessed with me to kill me.

You sure about that buddy?

We are not obsessed with you!

The conversations were like that. They were amusing. Nearly as amusing as talking to Joey who didn't seem to mind me.

He was polite and made funny jokes. Sometimes he even told me about life outside Arkham. It was nice of him, maybe a little against the rules but it was nice of him.

"Hey Joey," I muttered.

"Hey Georgia."

"You got any clue who that Jerome guy really is?"

Thinking about me still, gorgeous?

"I heard he's worse than yourself, if you don't mind me saying."

"Nah I don't mind Joey. I'm pretty aware how messed up I am."

"Apparently he nearly convinced detective Gordon that he was innocent. But nothing gets by Jim Gordon."

"Why bother lying? It's effort."

"Exactly my thought Fishwick."

"Just wanna say thanks Joey. You're nice to me even though I'm messed up."

"It's easier to be friends, better way to work."

"Awh shucks, we're friends."

"Suppose we are Georgia. Now get back to listening to your voices, you've told me that they don't like me. Don't want no more hate, do I?" He laughed a bit. I laughed too. Quite a while back I'd told him about the voices, just to be honest.

He should die too.

I agree.

Me too.

We're all in agreement that stupid Joey the guard should die?

No. Joey shouldn't die. That was true. He was a good guy that managed to deal with my madness. Maybe he had to be a bit harsh sometimes but that was his job.

So you admit he's using you? For his job. He's not actually friends with you.

Admittedly the voices were getting to me. They'd kept on talking about poor Joey as if he was as bad as me.

He's worse.

No he wasn't. The voices needed to shut up. It wasn't too long till lunch anyway, she could do something in peace for once. Somehow they became quiet when she was around Jerome and Aaron. Weird.

"You ready kiddo?" Joey asked. I leapt up and stood a little away from the door as Joey unlocked it.

"You know the drill." He said with a sigh. I held my hands out and he put there cuffs on.

"Did I forget to say happy birthday?" Joey said with a grin and took three cookies from his pocket.

"You did! Oh my gosh! Are they-" I'd gotten way too excited way too quick.

"One for you, Aaron and Jerome. But be careful, nobody else can see them." Joey warned as he shut the door. He handed me the cookies and I held them to my chest.