Gotham: Jemma's Diary (v1)

Chapter Twenty Four - Somewhere Safe

I sulked, walking slowly up the driveway with my hands shoved into my coat pockets as I arrived at Wayne Manor.

The sky was a peachy tone with a slight breeze in the air and I found myself having difficulty ridding the thought that my brother may still be alive.

I just kept playing his laugh over and over again in my head, driving me insane.

Bruce welcomed me with a tight hug, something that was estranged to me, as he offered some cooling beverages and snacks.

I politely declined, sitting down on the same couch I'd sat on only a month or so beforehand.

"How've you been, Jemma?" Bruce asked, smiling at me with a kind look on his face as his butler - Alfred, was that his name?, kept a close eye on us from the corner of the room.

"I've been doing good," I replied honestly, taking a sip from the iced tea he'd offered, "I've never really had a steady life - living in a circus and all, but... I think I may finally be finding my path. Who I truly am."

Bruce gave a short smile before his expression turned, splurting out, "Jerome is alive."

I almost spat out the tea, my eyes fully widened in shock at what he'd just said. That's mad. Is he having me on for a joke? I wondered.

"Or so I've been told." He continued, taking a quick glance to Alfred.

With my breathing slightly heavier, I was eager to know more, "Since when?! Who told you?!"

"I understand your concern, Jemma, but I can't tell you that." Bruce responded, "We were told this only because there's thought that Jerome may be coming after me... again." 

I couldn't stop shaking my head. He was wrong, he must've been. Jerome was dead, end of.

"I don't know who's told you this, Bruce," I muttered, my eyes staring off blankly in the distance, "But it's a lie. My brother's dead."

"Jemma." He said, his voice firm as he placed a hand on top of mine. I slowly diverted my attention to his as he spoke, "I don't know if it's true, yet. But you need to accept the fact that it may be, and if so, Jerome will be coming for us."

My mind was a complete state - a mess of emotions. I felt sadness, I felt anger, I felt excitement... I was just so puzzled!

I nodded in response to Bruce, leaning into him for comfort as I murmured, "Could I stay here for a while? Just a few days, incase he turns up?"

I'd figured, if Bruce was right - if Jerome was coming for him, what's my best chance of seeing my brother again? Being at Wayne Manor.

I watched as Bruce and Alfred shared a look, before reluctantly agreeing. 

Hugging Bruce, I thanked him and Alfred for their kindness.

That night, I was sitting in the lush spare bed in the rather large guest bedroom, listening to the wind howling outside as I attempted to calm my mind.

I sent a short text to Victor, letting him know where I was and that I was safe, etc. before switching the bedside lamp off and laying down into the bed.

And then, suddenly, I heard a window smash somewhere in the mansion.