FREAKS || Jerome Valeska¹

34 || Hold My Tongue

The first few days were chaotic. 

The day after Edward was assigned, there was a huge parade. After that, they did community work like feeding the homeless and gifting schools new buses. I was amazed at how welcoming citizens were to Oswald - they were giving him a chance. I was proud of Edward for escalating to that great position. He went from being a forensic scientist to a Chief of Staff in our city government.

It's evident Butch disliked that Edward was Chief of Staff. It was written all over his face at every event we attended. His boss had Ed right beside him 24/7, leaving him to rot. It was funny to see how much he hated us.

Currently, we're outside of Gotham's Courthouse. Oswald was presenting a beautiful statue he had gotten made of his mother - Gertrude. She looked like a kind and humble person, possibly the best mother. If he had to honor her like this, then she must've been incredible.

"My mother was the daughter of immigrants. A humble cook." Photographers snapped pictures of him and the statue, and the press held out microphones and video recorders. "We did not have much, but when she was by my side, I felt loved. Protected."

Edward was standing between Butch and I. He objected to me being close because of what he had done to me. I'm still severely bruised, and anesthesia had to be injected every couple of hours - That was the only reason why I'm even here.

"As promised, I have rid Gotham of its villainous monsters." Oswald continued, causing some to let out quiet cheers. "With my mother as my witness, I vow to you from this day forward, every man, woman, and child in our great city will be safe!"

I grinned, clapping along with everyone else. As I was doing so, my gaze fell on a black truck at the bottom of the stairs. At first, I believed it was another news broadcast truck or something like it, but then people in red ski masks and goggles emerged from it. My eyes widened in terror, and before I could point them out, shots were fired into the air. Everyone screamed frantically.

My brother's arms took hold of me. He urged me to crouch and shielded me. I covered my ears, trying to block out the loudness. Ed and I got up to our feet hesitantly when they paused, only to be met with six men walking up the stairs. We froze.

"No one is safe." One of the men called out as they approached the mayor, "Not from us."

Butch grabbed his gun and pointed it.

"Drop it." The same man - I assume the leader - ordered, pointing his machine gun. Butch clicked the weapon, ignoring him. "Put it down." Upon feeling threatened, Butch lowered it. As soon as he did, the leader raised his - It was pointed at the statue's neck.

"No," I whispered, wanting to stop him, but Ed held me by his side.

Bullets started getting fired. Each shot chipped chunks of stone from Gertude's throat. My eyes were wide, not believing this. A man carrying a sledgehammer raised it in the air, and it seemed like everyone went in slow motion. A breath got stuck in my throat as the weapon impacted the back of the stone's head, causing it to detach. It flew forward, roughly bouncing along the stairs. Everyone was in utter shock at the disrespectful action.

"You will pay for this!" Oswald spat, "Dearly!"

"Now, now, Mister Mayor. Don't go losing your head." The leader mocked as he lit a red can, tossing it at the statue. It exploded, gas suddenly enveloping everyone nearby. I coughed from the potent smoke and swung my hands around, trying to clear my way. The group of assholes left but not without bidding a 'have a nice day'.