Mad Love

The Maniax!

Tabitha had shown me to my room and I was already settled in. The room was a modern size with a queen size bed with a white bedspread and a door that lead to my own bathroom. On the wall next to the bathroom, there were two doors with black swirl designs on the glass that the doors were made of. The doors lead to a balcony 2 stories high. In the closet close to the bed, there were clothes in my size and style already hung in it. Knock knock. I turned on my heel to see who it was. It was Barbara. "Theo called for you to join the boy's meeting." I smiled. "Thanks." She just stared at me with a smirk on her face. The silence lingered until she finally said "of course." And walked away. I rolled my eyes and headed to the meeting place in the building. I was greeted with Theo's bright smile. "Rose! Glad you could finally join us!" I smiled and took a seat next to the bald guy and Jerome at the table. Theo soon began talking again, but to all of us. "Today you will be making your first public appearance. It needs to be something big. Something people will fear and remember you for." I felt the energy at the table arise quickly with no hesitation. Theo raised an eyebrow. "Any idea what we are doing or how far we are going?" The cannibal raised his hand. "Robbing a bank?" Theo shook his head. "No! Something deeper and less expected!" The room was silent. "Come on guys! We are going to kidnap men and make a message with their bodies for the whole city to see!" I smiled. "How exactly are we going to have time for that?" Theo smiled. "Oh dear Rose. The men are already being taken and they will soon be in your hands. This is a project.  I want you to show me how you can get the message to Gotham. If you succeed, then you will not fail me. If you fail... we will talk about that if the time comes." Everyone stood up from the table. "Oh!" Theo started. "And one more thing. Keep the Arkham jumpsuits on. More of an effect that way."

Soon we had left the building and got into a black limo waiting for us outside. I was seated next to Jerome and across from the bald man. Jerome leaned into me when the limo started moving. "Nervous?" His hot breath tingled my neck and sent shivers down my spine. When I got the courage to lock my eyes with his, I noticed he was smirking. "Of course not." I giggled. "If anything, I'm getting excited." He smiled big and then leaned away. "Alright, listen up! We are going to the building in the middle of Gotham and going to the top. That's where most people are. We need red spray paint!" Jerome announced to everyone enthusiastically. Soon we pulled up to the back of the building and climbed the fire escape stairs. We made it to the top of the building with exhausted legs. To our surprise, the men were already there and tied up. Next to them, there was red spray paint in a grocery bag. We all gathered in a circle to discuss the mischievous plan. "We need a name. To be known as. That will be the message we give to Gotham. A name to remember with fear." The cannibal said evilly. Jerome chuckled. "The maniax. Spelled M A N I A X due to amount of people we have." I smiled. "Perfect!" The skinny guy grabbed the paint and began spraying it onto the screaming patients. Jerome hopped onto the ledge of the building and looked at the view. The bald guy carried the first person with the letter "M" marked on his jumpsuit to the ledge. Jerome directed him where to throw each person to make enough room for each letter on the ground below us. People began to run to the windows and into the streets to see what was going on. "Perfect. Next." Jerome said looking focused. "Mr. X." Jerome said enthusiastically. The bald man picked him up and laid him on the ledge. "Ah. A little to the right." Jerome directed. "Ah that's the spot." And with that, the man was flung off the building as if he weighed nothing. "Perfect." Jerome said with a smile. The skinny man began to speak uncertainly. "What are we gonna do with the spare?" Jerome whirled around on the edge of the building and looked at the extra man. "Oooh! I know." He said and hopped off of the edge. He walked over to the man and grabbed the spray paint. He sprayed an exclamation point on his shirt. "Aaron" He said to the bald man. "Would you kindly?" He then tossed the spray paint behind him. Aaron grabbed the man and threw him off of the building. "Maniax." He said amused while looking at what we had done. "Huh. Now that's a headline." Jerome said and began to laugh maniacally.