Between Stripes

E L E V E N

That goddamn woman didn't waste her time. After her little buddy died, she knocked moi and Jerome out. Well, at least I think she did. Things were a little fuzzy in all honesty.

When I woke, things were a little foggy. My vision was blurred and all I saw was white. Then, things focused.

I was restricted somehow and stood upright, facing several large windows. Looking down, I saw that huge straps held me tight against whatever I was positioned on. Strange statues were placed in front of the windows. Other fancy objects cluttered small coffee tables which rested between the statues.

To my left, a brown haired man stood bound to the metal stand like myself. He was nervously looking round the room. Without a second glance I knew he was schizophrenic. Some of the voices can make people quake.

To my right was my beloved green-eyed baby. Jerome himself. A grin creeped on to my face.

"Jerome." I hissed, trying to get his attention. I wondered if he knew what the heck was going on.

"Hmm yes, doll face?" He turned slightly to see me. His grin matched mine. Manic.

"What's goin' on?" I asked. He shrugged as a man entered the room.

The man was tall and carried himself with pride. His pace was slow; his loud footsteps drew attention.

"What the hell is this place?" Someone growled to my right.

"Ain't Arkham, anyhow." Jerome said, his voice sounding sly." Things are looking up."

I couldn't help but let out a small snicker. Hearing the sound, Jerome turned to look at me. He winked before smirking.

"Welcome everyone." The man said, his voice interrupting our conversation.

"My name is Theo Galavan." He said, eyeing us all up as he walked past. The woman from Arkham walked by his side.

"This is my sister Tabitha." He gestured to her and came to a halt a few feet away from us all.

"Oh, my god, look at that." Someone murmured.

"Yeah, I gotta get my hands on that." Someone else said. Galavan shook his head, smiling. He raised a palm to quieten everyone.

"I understand, you're feeling confused, scared, a little groggy, but please relax." His voice was lighthearted but beneath it, I knew he was hiding a powerful man.

"Today, is the first day of a wonderful future for all of you." As he spoke, he walked past us. Making eye contact with each individual.

He came to a halt in front of me. Our eyes locked as the words escaped his lips, "if you want it."

I felt my eyebrows knit together.

"Who are you?" A woman's voice, a few feet to the left, rang out. Galavan let out a low chuckle and stepped towards her.

"Well, now the question is, who are you?" He sighed a little as he asked her the same question. He turned away from her.

"The world," he took a few paces towards Jerome, "sees criminal lunatics."

"I see brilliance." He locked eyes with Jerome. Undoubtedly, the ginger's heart would be racing at the compliment.

"I see charisma." He took a step towards me.

"And power." Our eyes locked on the second word. A silent agreement took place. He knew I liked power. Power over life especially. "I see power."

Out the corner of my eye, I could see Jerome glare at Galavan with a look of pure distaste in his eyes.

"Yes." Jerome hissed. A smirk slid onto his face. "Exactly my man."

Galavan turned back towards Jerome.

"Oh,that is so spooky." Jerome stifled a small laugh. "That is me to a T."

"These other bozos," Jerome jerked his head to the right, "oh, I don't know, but - you're singing my song."

His signature, insane, smirk glazed across his lips. He tilted his head forward a little - probably to add the drama.

"Quiet, Jerome." A firm voice from the far right rang out. "Keep talking."

Galavan smirked deviously and took slow strides past us again.

"Imagine a brilliant group of outlaws, like yourselves, each selected for their unique ability, all working together as a team." He paused.

"Imagine the synergy."

Step.

"Imagine the impact."

Step.

"Gotham would tremble before you." He locked eyes with someone.

"Well," the woman's voice from earlier broke the growing tension. "That sounds fabulous, but I'm not a brilliant outlaw."

She'd caught Galavan's attention. He paced towards her.

"I just have," she paused to think,"issues."

"You have ferocity and beauty and desire and that's enough." Galavan was getting close to her now. He took a final step before raised a hand and hooking a finger beneath her chin. She took in a sharp breath.

"Come with me, Barbra." His eyes locked with hers, "whatever you want in the world, it's yours."

Damn. The sexual tension was killing me.

"Theo?" The loud, firm voice from earlier sliced through that tension. Galavan looked in the direction.

"That's your name, right Theo? You're getting way ahead of yourself, here. First of all, keep yours hands off her. Second, this whole magic team," he said the words mockingly, "I gotta pass."

Galavan let go of Barbra and took his slow, tension filled, steps to the voice.

"I don't take orders." He said and Tabitha shook her head a little. My eyebrows found each other again.

"Good luck with everything, though. It's an intriguing concept."

Galavan shook his head slowly. "This is very disappointing."

"Oh. Fair play." He swallowed, "you want a reward for busting us out of Arkham. I am grateful. How does a million bucks sound? Pretty good, huh? I can get it for you today, as soon as I hit the street."

My fellow patient from Arkham's tone became slightly mocking. I sensed that Galavan noticed that too.

"Money's not the concern." Galavan finally said. "Oh, I had such high hopes for you."

Now it was his turn to be mocking.

"I didn't anticipate sexual jealousy. That always poisons the well." He took a step back before saying, "you have to go."

A man (who I hadn't noticed earlier) emerged from beside Tabitha. He walked behind the man and untied him. The man stepped forward.

"Tabitha will see you out." Galavan stated before standing next to the window.

The man began to walk away before Tabitha stepped forward. Something was clutched in her hand.

"Miss Kean is coming with me." The man stated, taking a step towards the woman.

"Oh, she doesn't want to go where you're going." Galavan said smugly. Tabitha whipped her hand back before letting it spring forward. Then, I saw the whip.

It found itself wrapped around the man's neck. With each pull, it became tighter.

Within mere seconds he was on the floor. Tabitha bounded towards him, pouncing on him. She whipped out a knife and began to slash at his throat. Blood sprinkled our jumpsuits.

Jerome let out a hearty laugh. Something twitched inside my head and I was letting out a stream of giggles only moments later.

"Anyone else want to leave?" Galavan asked as he turned round. A single eyebrow was raised.

Jerome and I snickered loudly as Galavan strode to stand in front of us all.

"Good to hear."