Hostage

The Big Show

Hello everyone, sorry about the really long wait. Thankfully I am on holiday and can write again. So here we are, at the climax of our story. Thanks everyone who reads, comments and votes. You keep inspiring me to write.

Finally Theo announces a new large plan. I'm relieved because unknown to them, this will be Jerome's final show. I don't even absorb much about the plan besides taking over a magic show; my mind is too busy running through lists: places, people, survival tips, inventory. Soon we will leave and we need to have an idea of what we're going to do. Theo, Jerome and Barbra are the main role players in the plan. I'm supposed to stay home under the watch of Helzinger, which would usually be fine. But I feel uneasy about Jerome leaving with those two. I don't think Theo plans to let him live for long. Jerome still doesn't quite believe me and tries to repeatedly assure me that everything is fine. He's so confident of their good standing, that he believes he'll be able to explain to Theo we're going to leave and calmly walk out the door without a fuss. I know better and so I'm on edge.

My mind is restless the whole day, worried for Jerome's safety whilst still contemplating how we're going to escape and how we're going to live afterwards. I know I need to tell my family that I'm okay, but how will I do that without them locking Jerome up and putting me in permanent therapy. Life no longer makes sense, and I've had time to make peace with that, but they won't understand. They'll try put me in therapy. They'll think I've gone crazy. But I know somehow that I'm doing the right thing. I'm helping Jerome and in a way helping Gotham. I know this is the right choice, but how do I convince my family of that. I try not to dwell on each issue for too long, otherwise I start to panic and feel like I'm suffocating. I try to take things one at a time.

Late afternoon, it's time for them to go. "Bye Doll, I'll see you later," Jerome grins as he kisses me. "Tonight should be a very big night for The Maniax," Theo says smugly, "I'm sure everyone will be surprised." I don't like the way he said everyone, or the way he looked at Jerome. As soon as the door clicks shut I know I have to get there somehow. Firstly, I will have to get Helzinger to allow me to leave somehow.

I pace around Jerome and I's room, thinking. Suddenly, an idea dawns on me. Jerome's sleeping pills. Bought before I was here, when the nightmares wouldn't allow him a full nights sleep. If I feed Helzinger enough, he'll be out and I can leave...
I crush up a sizable amount of pills and mix them throughly into his dinner, disguised to look the same as the powdered cheese on the spaghetti I'm serving. Thankfully, he's not the most observant and eats his dinner quickly without a hint of suspicion. And why should he be suspicious, I've been nothing but the perfect hostage. I haven't tried to escape or fight them. I've been a model of good behavior.

Despite the large amount of pills I crushed Helzinger is still awake. I suppose he's so huge, he needs much more to be put under. I deliberately held back, because I didn't want to kill him despite the wrongs he's committed. Now I will have to give him more. I prepare a cup of tea and hope this extra dose will be enough. It's late, and I'm growing more and more anxious. Thankfully, I see Helzinger's eyes start to droop. Soon he's fast asleep and as fast as a can I gather the keys out of Helzinger's pocket and the spare set of car keys hiding inside a box. I have been observant while I've been here and it's finally paid off.
This is the first time I'm going to be outside for about two months. It's a surreal feeling but I can't dwell on the freedom when I have a job to do. I run frantically around the parking lot until I hear the unlock of doors from all my frenzied clicking of the remote buttons. I hop in the nondescript black car and am on my way. I made Jerome tell me every detail of where they would be and how to get there. He seemed surprised I was inquisitive for once, but indulged me. Now I had all the information I needed to get the the theatre. As I park the car, in a no stopping zone, I briefly contemplate if stealing a car and parking illegally matters if it's a criminal's car and I'm trying to save someone.

The building its locked. There are police officers outside. But I'm getting in there somehow. After circling the building,  I find a door on the side of the theatre in an alleyway. It's also locked, but a few kicks fix that. I don't recognize this Wren. I do not break and enter, I do not steal cars and yet here I am. It's just a gut feeling that I have to get inside spurring me on, but they say to trust your gut. I run through a maze of corridors and backstage areas until I'm at the edge of the stage, behind the curtains.

I stop, my breath coming in gasps, and allow a second of relief because Jerome is standing on the stage. He's okay, he's fine. And the relief evaporates, replaced by terror as Theo gets up from the floor and starts towards Jerome. Jerome hasn't noticed and he doesn't see Theo has something at his side. A glint of silver, it's a knife. I don't hear what they're saying, my ears don't register anything except my blood rushing through my body. I just see him getting closer, much too close, and so I run; not bothering to think of consequences or reactions. I just run. Theo brings back his arm and strikes forward with the knife, right where to Jerome's neck would have been. Except I've shoved my arm in the way. The blade sinks into the soft flesh beyond my armpit, and then I register the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life. My nerves are screaming, I am screaming. The world is a red-tinged blur of high-pitched noise and blood. My blood. It's flowing out of me and the sight makes me feel sick. Theo stands transfixed and begins to back away as the police close in on the stage. Jerome drops to my side, applying pressure to my arm, I fight to stop screaming. "You, h-have t-to go J-Jerome," I manage to sob out. "They'll lock you away, g-go!" The tears are streaming down my face. "No, I'm not leaving you Wren," he says continuing to hold me. "Go!" it comes out as a shriek, my pain distorting my voice. "Please, help her," Jerome begs the police, and I see his own eyes appear wet.
Suddenly Jim is dropping to my side too. "Jim..." I whisper as I lose consciousness.