Gotham: Jemma's Diary (v1)

Chapter Twenty Five - Real Friends Stab You In The Front

As I wandered aimlessly through the darkness of the Manor, I felt an itch that I couldn't scratch under my skin.

Was Jerome really alive?! Was he here? In Wayne Manor?

I didn't know what to expect as I found my way towards the study.
I slowly peeped my head round the corner of the door, looking around the dimly lit room.

It appeared empty.

So, cautiously, I took a few steps in. Eyeing my surroundings as I did so.

"What are you doing here?" I heard a girl ask, jumping at me from out of the blue.

My eyes widened, "Selina?!"

With Selina closing in on me, I could feel her eyes digging into my core like daggers.

"Don't make me ask again." She warned, circling me in the middle of the study.

"Selina, please-" I started, only to be cut off by her launching for me.

She pinned me against the floor, her weight moving to my neck as she grasped me with her claws.
"You're not supposed to be here. What, you think just because your brother attempted to kill Bruce, you can too? Wrong."

I shook my head, glaring up at her as I spoke back through harsh breaths, "Bruce... is... my friend."

"Selina, what are you doing?!"

We were caught off guard by Bruce shouting, storming in the room with Alfred by his side.

Alfred pulled Selina off of me, and Bruce helped me up, asking if I was alright.

I nodded slightly, "I'm fine." My hand went to my newly bruised neck as I spoke through a sorely dry throat.

"She's trying to kill you!" Selina shouted, "Don't you see? Her brother couldn't end you so she's here to finish the job!"

"Selina, that's just wrong." I muttered, watching her from a distance as anxiety crept up on me.

What was she thinking?! I thought we were friends. Maybe Bruce is really my only friend... I couldn't let her turn him against me with her mind tricks.

"No one gives a damn about your brother, Jemma!" She said once all was quiet.

"Selina, that's enough." Bruce responded, standing up for me as he confronted Selina.

Selina chuckled, ignoring Bruce completely as she moved past him to get to me.
"You know I almost shot Jerome once?" She exclaimed, edging me on as her tone lowered, "He was in pain. A lot... and I almost had him. Ha, I pulled the trigger. And if I could do it again... I would." She whispered, not an inch away from my face.

"Selina-" Bruce scolds, the tension building in the air as we glared into each other's eyes.

I nodded, without blinking as I replied under my breath, "Now you've done it."

Within a second I had thrown all my body weight into giving her a good right hook as my tightened fist came into contact with her jaw.

She was quick to get back up and throw one back.

It wasn't long before our little brawl were separated by Bruce and Alfred, telling us both to stop.

But I wasn't ready to stop.
She'd offended me. She'd offended my brother.
And she had to pay.

"Jemma!" An unrecognised voice called from out of the blue as everyone turned to face who was walking towards us.

"Victor?!" I exclaimed with shock as Alfred let his grip on me loosen, "What are you doing here?"

"Your brother wants you." He replied, his pace fast as he hurried towards me, complete seriousness in his eyes.

"Jeremiah?" I questioned. Although I was unsure why I would question that.

But, to my surprise, Victor shook his head no.

And after that, I rushed to leave with him. I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to Bruce.