Psychotic Tendencies

Chapter 5

*skip to end of That's Entertainment episode*

Jeremiah shuffled over to the table, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. He felt the imaginative blood staining his hands. A guilt for the responsibility of his brother's insanity and a guilt for mourning the death of a remorseless killer. He turned from the table, looking around the walls he has stared at for years.

He spotted a purple box wrapped in a white bow, curious of its origin. He hesitated to approach the box, fearing it was another 'gift' sent by Jerome. He inched over to the box, inspecting a tag attached to the present. The present was from Wayne. Jeremiah smiled, surprised to receive a gift from Bruce.

He tore at the wrapping, uncovering a box covered in a striped design. He turned the cube over, wondering its purpose. He found a small golden latch, flicking it open. The head of a jester popped up and Jeremiah was struck with fear at the realization. He was about to drop the box, but a violet gas was released, filling his lungs. He tried to cough up the gaseous chemical, but it was no use. A laugher penetrated the walls of his mind, piercing his mental state.

A voice spoke to him. The voice of his brother.

Jerome's voice taunted, "Calm yourself and breathe it in brother. Give in to your madness,"

Jeremiah mentally protested, while displacing items in the room and shoving them to the floor. He crumpled to the floor, clutching his head and pulling at his hair.

"Give in and I'll tell you where Ecco is," negotiated Jerome.

Jeremiah considered his offer, letting the madness overtake him. He stood up, laughing with wild eyes.

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Jeremiah arrived at a run-down warehouse. He stepped up to the side door, opening it with an echoing creak. He entered the dim complex, searching for sign of Ecco. He walked throughout, coming across a room covered with blood. He stepped through the threshold, finding a chair with rope lying at its base. He bent down, picking up a glass capsule with remnants of a red-violet liquid.

"She's really stubborn, you know. I like her. You choose well brother,"

"Quiet," Jeremiah retorted, while standing to leave.

"She behaved very well," Jerome's voice interjected.

"I said quiet!" Jeremiah commanded.

Jeremiah exited the room, walking to an expansive section of the warehouse.

He moved throughout the expansive room, arriving to a desk with a key and a note with Jeremiah's name written on it.

Jeremiah lifted the note, reading it.

Jerome's voice began narrating, "Hello brother. Sorry for kidnapping Ecco without you're permission, but I wanted it to be a surprise. I had always wanted a partner in crime to join me in my fun. I thought it would be you and I, but I realized you had greater ambitions. I left Ecco locked up in the farthest cell to the right. The key to her cell is on the desk. Think of her as my gift to you. Have fun you two,"

Jeremiah picked up the key, walking to her cell. As he got closer, Jerome's laughter began to fade.

He approached the cell bars, hearing a soft giggling. He made out a figure in the corner, shrouded by darkness.

"Ecco," Jeremiah whispered in recognition.

The laughter ceased and the figure stood up, moving into the light shining through the bars.

Ecco stood in front of Jeremiah, grasping onto the bars, "Jeremiah?"

"It's okay Ecco. I'm here," he reassured, bringing a hand to her face.

She leaned into his touch, staring into his eyes.

Jeremiah gazed into her bright eyes, lost in their color.

"Are you going to get me out of here, or keep staring?" she teased.

Jeremiah blushed, pulling away to open her cell.

He turned the key, opening the cell.

Ecco walked through and Jeremiah spotted the carving on her thigh.

Jeremiah gestured to the marking, "Hm...I like it,"

The two then began to laugh madly, leaving the warehouse and out into the streets of Gotham.