Between Stripes

T H I R T Y F O U R

Once I'd been released from the leather belts which binded me with the cold metal table I got a good look of my surroundings. By the look of it, I was in a run-down factory. Machines of all sorts lined the walls and towered high. Here and there, there would be a person tinkering with part of a machine.

Jerome pulled me along behind him as he lead me somwhere. We came to a stop in front of a elevator which looked pretty high-tech and new. Stepping inside, Jerome still kept hold of my hand. It looked like a romantic and kind gesture but the steely grip said otherwise. He knew what I was like, he knew I would happily run off at the first chance.

"J," I coughed, feeling a weird sensation in my gut as I said the nickname which I'd always called him, "I was just wondering, where are we going?"

He looked down at me and a smirk glazed his bright lips. The old twisted glint shone bright in his eyes.

"I'm showing you our suite, the grand master bedroom." He purred. I tried to rebel against the sickening feeling which was building up. It was debatable whether the feeling was abstract or not considering the amount of pills I'd taken on an empty stomach recently.

"J, I'm hungry."

"I'll get someone to get you a snack. What do you- Oh we're at our level now." His voice brightened as the dark metallic doors slide open. Jerome walked ahead, me trailing behind like before.

As we walked, I discovered that we weren't in a run-down factory at all. The walls were high and dark; the floor was dark wood. Light hung from the ceiling every few metres. He clearly had a weak aesthetic going on, unlike previous homes. Everything was simply dark and plain. Shadows seemed to follow you though. It was eery but nothing I couldn't handle.

At the end of the long corridor there was a pair of doors, two freaks guarding them. As we came closer they opened the doors simultaneously and Jerome lead me inside.

"Don't mind them, simple lackeys who don't have enough brains to do much else."

His voice was distant as I found myself dazed by the room. In the centre was a huge black, four-poster bed, it was beyond king size. Two bedside tables, which were decorated with small lights, were at each side. Dark red curtains covered windows; small rays of light peeked through the tiny gaps. The floor was the same wood as the corridor and a large red, plush carpet covered the majority of it. The wall furthest away, on the right, was covered from ceiling to floor with built-in wardrobes. On the wall to the left a large painting hung above a handsome chest of drawers and to the left of that was a door which probably lead to the bathroom. I had to do a double-take at the painting, it was nothing other than Gotham surrounded by flames.

"This is our home now. Not much, obviously but really I don't spend much time here." Jerome dropped my hand before walking to the wardrobes. "Obviously now you're back that'll change." He smirked and flung a door open, shrugging out his jacket and hanging it up.

I smiled but inside I was biting back a stream of insults. He was sickening. The sight of him made my hands itch. I just wanted to clamp them round his neck and squeeze. Squeeze till his face goes purple and he finally leaves me alone.

"Have I got any clothes I can change into?" I asked, glancing down at myself. I was still wearing Maureen's daughter's stuff. Old faded pajama pants and a too big grey jumper.

"Obviously." Jerome replied.

"And whereabouts are they? I'm not exactly psychic-"

"Don't be rude." He said poisonously as he turned round to face me. "Find them yourself. I'm going out."

And with that he finally left me alone.

Homeboy's changed just a little.

Too snappy if you ask me.

Yeah, one second he was lovey-dovey and the next he was being an ass.

Confusing.

I agreed with the voices. Jerome was different.

Shrugging the thoughts out my head I began to search for clothes. I soon found them; they were mostly black, how I liked them. Some were far from my taste though. Red leather jacket? No thanks.

I was happy with a pair of ripped black jeans, a ripped black crop top and a worn-out leather jacket which was also - surprise surprise - black. At the bottom of the wardrobe I found shoes arranged neatly in lines. I settled with black trainers.

Once I'd gotten changed I left the bedroom in search of the weapons room. Jerome hadn't pointed it out to me, so I was left alone to wander.

It wasn't hard to find as there wasn't many rooms on the particular level I happened to be on. It'd been to the left of the elevator, where we hadn't walked, it was the only room that side of it.

Pushing the heavy door open, my heart soared. This I could get used to.

From ceiling to floor, two opposing walls were covered in various weapons. Blades gleamed; guns shone dully; whips curled; bats dangled. The wall which wasn't occupied by weapons was simply a giant mirror with a small wooden bar which, I supposed, you'd hold for balance like in ballet studios.

Now why didn't you react like this when you saw Jerome, sweetie?

I ignored the voice and headed towards the gleaming blades, in particular the dozens of knives. The short blades on them were ever so pretty: some were colourful and metallic, some were matte black, some were simply stainless steel, a few were pure gold (handle and all) and they were all mine. 

The jacket, thankfully, had seemingly endless pockets and hoops for me to slide the blades into. (My guess it was a custom-made hunter's jacket.) I picked up a handful, including the single deadly switchblade and the various metallic blades because they were undoubtedly mesmerizing. To my surprise, there was a chunky bottle opener, the length of my hand. I picked it up to find that it was a multi-tool; I slid the many small weapons, which were previously inside of it, out. Seemingly endless blades. Perfect to strap to my belt.

Once I was content, I made my way to the elevator and pressed Level 0. Watch out Gotham, Georgia Fishwick is having a spree.

A.N.

I apologise again for the slow update but I'd written myself into a corner but now I'm out! And so is Gotham Season 4, Episode 1! Not sure about you guys but I fell in love with poor poor Jonathon Crane? Okay sorry if that was a spoiler but I CANNY HELP IT HE IS ADORABLE! Yeah I like the freaks *cough Jerome *cough*...

See ya'll soon my little scarecrows!