A Little Mad

Chapter 9

Mercedes changed in the bathroom into some pajamas Bailey allowed her to borrow. Taking a deep breath, she sighed knowing what she was about to ask. Half of her was scared and the other half was super ready. Walking out of the bathroom, Mercedes noticed Jerome was in nothing but pajama pants. He turned around hearing her. Mercedes stared at his perfectly carved frame. Jerome smiled.

"What is it doll face?" He noticed her eyeing his body and his own curiosity to see her body was building. Mercedes was pulled from her gaze and she shook her head.

"Nothing." Mercedes watched his smile. She couldn't help but believe what she told TaTyana. She found him attractive. Jerome motioned to his bed.

"Bed's all yours doll face." Jerome watched as she climbed in and covered up with his warm blankets. Jerome turned to leave.  "Well, see you in the morning." Jerome walked out the door and Mercedes sighed, taking a deep breath. She  projected her voice.

"Jerome?!" A few moments later, Jerome walked back through the door.

"Yes? Need anything?" 

Mercedes set up and cleared  her throat. Small tears filled her eyes. Jerome tilted his head raising an eyebrow. Mercedes wiped her tears as more formed.

"It's just.... I... Look, I'm scared and I really don't want to be in here alone... Could you please sleep in here with me...? Please. I really don't want to be alone." 

Jerome stood shocked that she asked him such a question. Mercedes moved all the way by the wall.

"I'll stay on this side..... I would just feel much better with another person in here and you are the only one still awake."

"Oh... Well, I guess I could do that."

"Thank you." Mercedes rolled over facing the wall without another word. Jerome laid in the bed flat on his back occasionally glancing at Mercedes who didn't budge. Jerome finally closed his eyes only to have them open an hour later. A small frame was tugging at him getting closer. He watched as best as he could as Mercedes laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arm around him in her sleep. He suddenly felt a just of warm energy running through his body. Not wanting to wake her, he slowly wrapped his arms around her.  He didn't understand why his entire world suddenly became about protecting her.

Police were swarming the entire house looking for any evidence of who could have killed the Hellemans. Outside TaTyana and her family hurried from their cars to an officer standing by the driveway. TaTyana grabbed her attention.

"Excuse me officer. I'm their daughter's best friend. What happened? Is Mercedes okay?" 

TaTyana eyes glowed with concern and the officer saw how scared the young woman was. The officer sighed and reluctantly spoke.

"So her name is Mercedes..." The officer turned her attention to another nearby officer. "Put out an Amber Alert for a Mercedes Helleman with her description." 

TaTyana's eyes widen. "What are you saying?!" The officer returned her attention to the young woamn. 

"I'm so sorry... We don't know if your friend is okay... She's missing.." The officer looked away feeling the sadness of the family standing next to her as they hugged crying. The officer cleared her throat and TaTyana looked her way. 

"I hate to bring this up, but... Since your friend is missing and her family is dead..." 

TaTyana cut off the officer. "If you are suggesting that Mercedes had anything to do with the death of her family, because of the situation I understand that you have to explore every option. However, I have to tell you that I know without a doubt that Mercedes would never hurt her family. Especially her brother. He was her entire world." 

TaTyana wiped a tear as the officer nodded. "Well, thank you anyway Ma'am." The officer turned her attention to the parents. "Please give us your number so we can inform you if anything come up about her." 

Jeremiah stared at the folder of information his private investigator was able to track down on such short notice. He opened the folder and looked over the pictures. He smiled at the name he saw. 

"Mercedes Helleman.. Well my dear.. You are truly beautiful." 

He scrunched his nose in disgust remembering his twin, who he wished would just die, had this girl. He searched through her information, finding she moved to Gotham from Tennessee. He found out what school she went to and who her best friend was. He learned more from this folder than anyone should have known without even really getting a proper conversation with her. He paused when he found her birth certificate. He smiled wickedly. 

"Oh my.. That is something very interesting..."  

Ecco stood outside the study door, listening hard. She clenched her fists, angry at his sudden interest for this girl that he had never shown her.