Terror In Gotham City

Chapter 13

*Accalia*

We reach Gotham in the dead of night, and I tell myself that there is no way I am going back to the penthouse with Jim and Barbara. So, instead, I tell Edward to take me to the circus. Frowning at my odd request, he doesn't voice his thoughts, but takes me there. Telling him to wait for me, I jump out of his car and run through the crowds of screaming people. The smell of sweat and candy makes my stomach turn, and I force myself to move faster. Everyone blurs as my feet move faster, crossing more distance.

Minutes later, I pull to an abrupt stop outside Jerome's trailer. Nothing has changed, except that Sheba is back in her cage, and half dead from not being fed for a week. I lift her out of the cage and set her on the ground, letting her go free. She's going to die in this circus if I don't let her go now, so it's best to save at least one other life from this hell. Turning my gaze back to the trailer, I let out a sigh before opening the door and walking in. I haven't been here in two weeks, and it's strange to see it again. "You'd be happy, ginger," I say, making my way to his bedroom. "The trailer is still clean two weeks later." Pulling two suitcases out from underneath the bed, I drop them onto the bed and turn to the wardrobe. Flinging open the doors, I pull out Jerome's clothes and fold them before stuffing most of them into one suitcase with minor difficulty. Putting the rest into the other one, I begin to pack his small amount of possessions on the small shelf in his room. Going into the bathroom, I take everything that belongs to him and drop it into the half-filled suitcase, fighting the tears threatening to fall. Before zipping the suitcase, I grab Jerome's pillow and shove it in too, not wanting to leave his favourite pillow behind in a trailer that someone else is eventually going to use. Slipping the almost empty bag off my back, I upend his bedside draw's contents into my bag. I'm not surprised to see several knives, or the box of condoms that don't appear to be open. Rolling my eyes, I drop the draw onto the bed, zip up the bag, sling it over my shoulder, grab the two suitcases, and leave the trailer I adored behind. Minutes later, I throw the two suitcases into the back of Edward's car and then climb into the front seat, putting my bag on the floor and putting my seat belt on. "Okay. We can go now."

Edward looks over at the suitcases. "What do you plan on doing with them?"

"Well, I was going to ask if I could stay with you for a while. I don't exactly feel like living with James right now."

"You're more than welcome to. I have a back room that I can convert into a bedroom for you."

"Thanks, Nygma."

"You should at least let Jim know where you are, and that we're back."

"I'll do that later."

"As long as you let him know." Driving away from the circus, I can't help but look back in mourning. That circus makes up the majority of my good childhood memories, and it feels strange seeing it fade into the distance. I can feel the happiness from the times Jerome and I spent running amuck bubbling inside me. There's a haunting thought in the back of my mind as I once again remember there being another child with the two of us, but I find myself pushing it to the back of my mind. Half an hour later, Edward and I walk into his apartment, four suitcases in tow - one Edward's, one mine, and two Jerome's. Sighing, I walk over to the window and stare down at the twinkling lights of Gotham as Edward begins to clean out the back room for me. I do attempt to help him, but he gives me a glare and I instantly back away with my hands raised in surrender. Glancing out over the city, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, unlocking it and letting my finger hover over Jim's contact. Shaking my head, I hit the call button and hold the phone to my ear, listening to the ringing.

"Hello?" Jim asks in a tired voice, yawning.

I chuckle. "Sorry, James. Did I wake you?"

"No. You're fine, Accalia. So, who is it this time? The last time you called me, someone was dead."