Gotham: Jerome's Story

Chapter Two

The snake slowly slivered its way through the campsite - flickering her tongue as she did. The group followed her almost-camouflaged scales past other caravans as Jim believed in her lead.

Sheba had brought the group to a cheap hay wagon where she heaved her body onto bales of hay and slivered under a large white sheet which covered the most of the wagon.

Jerome held his hands together as Jim got closer to the white sheet before flinging it to one side.

"Oh my God." Lee trembled at the sight of the mangled body. It was Lila - blood covering her face and neck as Sheba moved over her.

A painful cry could be heard as Jerome fell to his knees - hurt in his eyes as he stared at the dead body; his dead Mother.

As Jim watched the Ringmaster, he noticed something in his eyes. "You knew?" He questioned, stepping closer, "You knew she was here?"

"No." The Ringmaster firmly replied, glaring down at his feet.

"Look at me." Jim muttered, clenching his jaw as his eyes burned into the Ringmaster.

Coming clean, the Ringmaster took a breath and admitted "She was like that when we found her."

Lee moved over to Jerome, putting her hands on his shoulders as she attempted to comfort him in his apparent heartbroken state.