A Little Mad

Chapter 2

As Mercedes and Ethan returned home from TaTyana's the next evening, their parents shut and locked the doors quickly. Both of the siblings confused and concerned stared at their parents slightly wide eyed. Their dad motioned for them to sit on the couch with them. 

"Watch this carefully. They about to play it again." 

Both the siblings watched the TV as the new anchor warned people what they were about to see again was graphic. A man who seemed to be a year or two older than Mercedes appeared on the screen. He has fiery red hair and bright green emerald eyes. His face was bloody, but you could see it scarred badly. His mouth seemed to be cut at the corners out into his cheeks giving him almost a permanent smile. Mercedes looked at her brother. He was in complete shock watching the screen. The man smiled and began to speak. 

"Hello again, Gotham City! I have escaped once again and I am here to bring you all the present you deserve."  The man moved slightly to the side of the screen revealing a couple tied up on the floor. Mercedes covered her mouth holding in a gasp. 

"This here is... well.. they are.. I never got their names, but it doesn't matter. No matter how hard I try, you Gotham just keep denying your true self. I am determined to change that." 

The man's voice was low and a little raspy. His smile was something Mercedes could not stop focusing on. The man leaned into the camera. 

"I'm coming for you." He turned to couple. "Sorry, but this is where the road ends." He pulled out a gun and shot the couple in the heads before they squirm more than once. 

Mercedes grabbed Ethan's hand after they both jumped. They watched as the man returned to the screen. 

"They were so annoying. Oh yeah and Miah," His voice deepened, "brother, I am definitely coming for you too. See you real soon Gotham." A laughter that could haunt the evilest of men's dreams rang through the speakers. 

Their mom shut off the TV looking at them sharply. Both of them were still too much in shock. 

"We were hoping you guys would get home soon. We spoke to TaTyana's parents and we all agree. We don't want you kids leaving the house until this maniac is caught. You missed it earlier, but his name is Jerome Valeska. He escaped from Arkham." 

Mercedes jumped up from the couch in complete horror. 

"A crazy person! A real crazy person! You moved us to a town where there is a psycho lunatic?! I love stuff like this in pop culture. You know I was always the weird emo goth girl among everyone else, but this is real!" 

Jerome smiled as he made his way to his safe house along with his still devoted followers. When he walked inside, he came face to face with a dark-haired woman sitting on his couch.  He smirked his famous smirk. 

" Bailey. How nice to see you as soon as I escaped." 

The woman's eyebrows slowly frowned. 

"You know I only work for you because the pay is good." 

Jerome knelt before her and smiled a wicked smile. He ran his knuckles down her cheek. 

"Is that the only reason?" 

The woman curled her nose in disgust. She set up higher causing Jerome to pull his hand away. She glared at him. 

"Gross! You know that was a one-time thing, and I was desperate for some attention that day. I mean you fuck decent, but don't flatter yourself circus act." 

Jerome stood up and playfully pouted. "Now is that anyway to talk to me. I just got back." 

The woman rolls her eyes. Jerome walks to his refrigerator pulling out a cold beer, opening it as the woman spoke. 

"Jeremiah has been preparing for your attack." 

Jerome chuckled from his chest, an eerie high-pitched laugh.  "I figured he would. Good ol' Miah. He never disappoints me." He took a long drink of his beer before peering at the woman who seemed unphased. 

"So what is your plan?" The woman looked unamused and in need of answers. Jerome Set his beer down and shook his head. 

"No idea yet," he chuckled, "But I know Miah has been itching for me to escape." 

"What took you so long? You already knew how to escape." 

Jerome smiled at the memories inside. "Well, I made a new friend Bails. Jervis Tech." 

The woman raised an eyebrow. "He was back in Arkham? I thought you two broke out with that scarecrow fucker the last time." 

Jerome sighed and smirked. "We did, but our friendship didn't last long after that. We worked together, but then we fell apart after I should have died on that damn roof top when I let go. Leave it to dying, being resurrected, trying to commit suicide and still not dying to make you think differently. This city can't keep me down. So might as well enjoy it." 

"My brother thinks his insanity will take him far. He should have died from that roof top fall." 

Jeremiah poured himself bourbon in his favorite glass sitting at his desk. The man sitting in the chair across from his desk set up straight. 

"We can deal with him Sir." 

Jeremiah looked up annoyed at the man, causing him to shrink a little in his chair. "I'm not worried about my idiot brother. I can take him out easily whenever I choose, but sometimes I think he is amusing. I am the smarter twin and therefore I will be the one victorious." 

The door to the room slowly opened, and a woman poked her head in. Jeremiah flickered his pale green eyes her way even more annoyed. 

"Ecco what do you want?" The woman swallowed her hard. 

"I..I Just came to check on things. It is getting late."

Jeremiah sighed with frustration. 

"I guess that will be all for today Mr. Barnes. Ecco will show you out. As always blindfolded. Thank you for your time." 

There was a pause until Ecco was just about to escort the man from the room. Jeremiah spoke with a smooth monotone voice. 

"Oh Mr. Barnes, please give my best wishes to your wife."