Between Stripes

F I F T E E N

Not a week later did the Maniax really get to play. And I was so excited for it.

The first group task was all under Jerome's command. It was pretty simple. I didn't have to do much. In fact my job was spectacularly artistic.

If spraying letters on hostages is artistic then I'm not just a figment of your imagination.

That was harsh of Little-Jerome. True but harsh.

Greenwood (good ol' lion head) and Aaron found themselves some hostages. Apparently they were all employees of the Gotham Gazette. Perfect for the headlines.

Jerome wanted us to write letters onto the hostages and throw them off the building. It'd draw all the attention to us, as if we didn't already have rumours flying around.

"Let's get M outta here!" Jerome called, he had sat himself on the ledge. I was stood only a few feet away from him.

Muffled sobs came from M as Aaron dragged him forward. He lifted the man onto the ledge.

"Go." Jerome called and Aaron rolled M over. His screams were distorted as he hurtled to the ground; he landed with a loud crunch.

"Keep it goin'." Jerome commanded and Aaron dragged A over. I was pretty sure that A had been knocked out due to its incapability to shut the hell up.

"Go." Jerome ordered. Aaron did what he'd done before. He rolled the body over the edge and it pelted towards the distant ground.

"Next."

Aaron lugged a large man (who was the letter N) towards the ledge and heaved him onto it. With only a slight push, he fell to the ground. A small pool of blood had formed around the letters.

"Perfect." Jerome said with a small smile. "Next."

Greenwood sniggered as he pushed the tall man who was the letter I. Aaron scooped him up and slammed him onto the ledge. He tossed him over without a second of hesitation.

Only three were left now. Aaron trudged to A and brought him to us.

"Let Georgy have a go, I bet she's dying to do it." Jerome ordered, I smiled and walked forward.

I peered at the man who laid on his back, his head rested on the concrete.

"Aaron dear, just spin him round a little. So that his head is dangling off the edge." I purred, jumping up next to Jerome. Aaron did as I asked.

"Now push him." I ordered and Aaron pushed him off with large momentum. A stream of giggles escaped my mouth as the poor man soared towards his death. This one landed with both a crunch and a splat. Brilliant.

"Mr X." Jerome turned round to face a bewildered man who was being guided over by Greenwood.

Aaron picked him up and dropped him onto the ledge. The man's head touched my leg ever so slightly. I frowned.

"Um, a little to the right." Jerome said, seeing my face. Aaron sighed and dragged the man to the right. Both Jerome and I smiled at this.

"Okay, that's the spot." Jerome grinned and Aaron pushed the man over. His muffled screams were by far the loudest. A small crowd of people had gathered outside the Gotham Gazette and were watching the entire thing.

As Mr X landed, screams rang out. That brought a menacing smile to Jerome's face and mine.

"Perfect." Jerome murmured, cocking his head a little.

"What shall we do with the, er, spare?" Dobbins asked nervously. My smile fell as I turned to see Greenwood holding the man between his dirty hands.

Jerome frowned and looked back at the man. He then looked back at the lettered people.

After a second he turned back, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Oh!" He swung round and plopped onto the rooftop. "I know."

I folded my legs and watched Jerome saunter to Greenwood.

"Pass the can, doll face." Jerome ordered, holding a hand out. I smiled and threw it to him. As he caught it, he popped the lid off.

He drew a line down the man's torso. Then he squirted a single dot onto the man's stomach.

"Aaron," he tossed the van onto the floor," would you kindly?"

A bright smile grew into Jerome's face as Aaron bounded over. He lifted the man above his head and walked back to the ledge.

Greenwood made his way towards the ledge, grinning. Dobbins bounced up and down, applauding excitedly. I grinned and watched the scene unfold.

Aaron hurtled the man over the edge; as he fell he yelled in panic.

We all peered at the sight below. The people laid out in the floor; blood messily flooded the floor.

"Maniax!" Jerome exclaimed and let out a short laugh. "Heh. Now that's a headline."

Jerome began to hysterically laugh. I slid off the ledge and landed on the ground with the sound of the gravel beneath my feet crunching. He slid an arm round my waist, still laughing. I couldn't help but smile.

It felt good to be home.

When we got back Galavan sat us all down at the large dinner table. Apparently he liked being organised. (Every villain had to be organised, right?)

"I just want to thank you all for putting on a fantastic show for Gotham." Galavan said, folding his hands together.

"Glad to be the director of it all." Jerome smirked. His fingers were intertwined with mine in a knot beneath the table. Our fist rested on his thigh.

"Yes Jerome. Anyway, the next thing we have in store is bound to keep us in the headlines." Galavan set his palms down on the table, leaning forward so that his face darkened ever so slightly.

"What's the plan, boss?" I asked, popping the p. Galavan smirked.

"Dear Georgia, this one may as well be the most fun. Especially for you." I grinned at his words, waiting eagerly for more. "It involves a few simple things."

Pause.

"My fantastic team called the Maniax."

Pause.

"A truck full of gasoline."

Pause.

"A school bus full of elderly citizens who want to go to bingo."

Pause.

"Or..."

Pause.

"A school bus full of youthful cheerleaders."

Pause.

"It's your choice, Jerome and Georgia. I don't care." Galavan said before walking out the room.

This was gonna be fun.