Between Stripes

F O U R T Y T W O

Jerome Valeska was in love.

Around me, he was the sweetest guy going. He treat me like his queen. Most of the time he wouldn't leave my side. Days were spent like regular couples. Movies. Snacks. Each other. Sometimes though, he had to go and get the 'bad guys'. Those times were hard. She returned during those times. They were undeniably the worst.

But J wasn't ever gone for too long, when he got back she disappeared and he'd make it up to me for being gone. He always did.

Always.

One time, he took a lot longer than usual to come back from being out and I found myself trying to battle with her. She took control for a little while. When I returned there was an array of weapons surrounding me. I was sat in our bed and the silk, jade sheets were pushed away while the firearms and blades twinkled in front of me.

"He doesn't want you, no wonder why he's never here anymore." she hissed, trying to snatch a pretty curved dagger which sat to my left.

"He does. He's just busy." I tried to say but my voice was a hoarse whisper.

"No he doesn't. He's got somebody new, that's where he is all the time. Who would even want you? A boring, plain Jayne like you. Nobody." She snickered and went for a golden pistol. It had my initials imprinted on the side. A gift Jerome had gotten me not too long ago.

"You're-you're lying." I tried again but my voice was weak and tears were steadily streaming from my eyes. I found my hand rising, shakily. The cold gun was rising to my temple.

"Oh but I'm not Georgia. I wouldn't dare lie to you." The smirk was clear in her voice, I can practically see the tilt of the corners of her mouth. I could feel her crazed gaze. I could hear her light tone which was so fake it was almost real.

The cool metal kissed the side of my head. It sent a shiver through me.

"I just want you to leave me alone." I choked, the lump on my throat was growing and it was getting harder to breathe.

"You know what to do Georgia, it's ever so simple." Her words were no longer taunting. "Come on. It will only hurt for a split second. Everything will be fine."

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

In.

Click.

"You're so silly Georgia, you think he'd leave a loaded gun maround? He doesn't trust you. I'm honestly not surprised. Have you seen yourself recently Georgia? Christ. What a mess."

She was almost tangible. She was hovering over my shoulder. Her hot breath hit my ear and wrapped itself round my neck like two hands.

Suddenly I was choking.

Gasping for air.

My nails scratched at my neck. Eager to get her hot grip away from me.

I was drowning.

Forget choking. Nothing was lodged inside. Not that I knew. No.

I was drowning.

Spluttering for air to teach my lungs.

Her grip didn't leave me though. I writhed under it. My fingers left my throat and began to claw at the sheets. Trying to get out of whatever I was drowning in.

Soon I slid from the silk covered bed. I was on the floor. My hands searched for something, anything that would help.

Crawling was almost as hard as breathing. I lugged myself the few metres from the bed to the window. Shuffling. Scraping.

The grip round my neck only seemed to tighten as I came closer to the window.

"Come on Georgia. Just stop trying now. It's silly."

With one hand round my neck, I slapped the other against the cool metal handle which was the obstacle between me and the fresh air.

All my strength, I squeezed. Squeezed and squeezed.

Until everything went black.