FREAKS || Jerome Valeska¹

40 || Two Different Worlds

My fingers glided over the rough pages of the Gotham Gazette newspaper. A tiny, tearful smile contorted on my mouth as I stared at Jerome Valeska's grinning semblance. Even after a year, he could evoke emotions in the pit of my stomach. But the cold spot inside my chest refused to warm back down; I missed him too much and yearned to see his face again. To kiss him. Wishing that was asking so much from the universe.

I suppose I'll have to live with this pain until my last breath because I know I'll love him even then.

"Reese!" My bedroom door swung open aggressively, and I scrambled off my bed, startled, to meet my brother. He was incredibly furious about something.

I walked toward him, worried about his behavior. "Ed, what's wrong?" He only got like this when he got pissed, like throwing-flames-pissed. It has been a constant emotion since Isabella passed away, so I assume whatever this was about had to do with her, too.

He looked at me, seeming as if he was about to explode or start punching everything. "Oswald's in love with me," he responded, his voice coming out as more of a growl. My mouth gaped, slightly surprised — I didn't think he would tell Ed now. I closed my lips, not knowing what to say to him. My brother narrowed his eyes. "You knew?"

"Um -"

"Reese."

With a sigh, my head nodded. "Yeah, I knew."

"How could you hide this from me?" He accused.

My eyes widened, "Uh, because it wasn't my place to tell you, that's why." I crossed my arms over my chest, shaking my head in disbelief. He gave me a blank stare. "Why does that anger you that much? He's only human. Just tell him you don't feel the same."

"Because Oswald might've killed Isabella."

If my eyes weren't wide enough already, this did the trick. I shook my head again. "Ed, what in the world are you talking about? No." I denied quickly. It couldn't be Oswald; he would never harm Ed. "Where did you -?"

"Barbara Kean came." He responded. As soon as he said that, my eyes rolled back with annoyance at his absurd source. Despite my attitude, Edward kept talking. "She said Oswald had to be responsible for Isabella's murder because he loves me. He killed her out of jealousy.

I cocked my head. "Wait, so did Oswald tell you himself that he loves you or -?" This made him tense. My eyes narrowed with accusation. "Ed, what did you do?"

"I put double meaning to my words to fool him; I told him I wanted to be more than just business partners... and he bit."

My lips parted in utter disbelief. "Why on Earth would you do that? You just broke his heart!"

"Whoever killed Isabella broke mine first!" He countered defensively. "I owe it to her to find out the truth."

Sighing, I sat back on the bed. Anything could be true. I had to be open to the idea, but I didn't want to believe this to be true. Our gazes connected. "Okay, how do you know this is not just some sick game Barbara is playing?" His eyebrows conjoined, making me huff and rub my temple. "We chopped her best friend's hand off... if you don't remember. She could've figured out Oswald loved you and is now using you as a way to hurt him."

"Yes, true -" He nodded, proceeding to shake his head vigorously, "but I highly doubt it. Ree, think about it: He's been pressuring me to forget her even before she died." It pained him to talk about this because Oswald was his friend. But I guess he was right on that. Oswald became clingier after Isabella died, but I always attributed it to his raging feelings. "He's lacked sympathy toward my loss, forgets her name, and acts like it's no big deal. Maybe he's felt that way because... he killed her."