A Little Mad

Chapter 17

Bailey helped Mercedes back into the safe house. A man that Mercedes knew by the name of Ash walked out of the kitchen confused.

"Bailey.... Jeremiah... Doctor..." 

Mercedes went limp to the floor and Bailey tried to pick her up.

"Where the fuck is Jerome Ash?!" 

Ash looked annoyed. 

"How the fuck should I know?! He left looking for her!" 

Bailey stood angry and aimed a gun at Ash. 

"Well, go fucking find him! Now!" 

Mercedes tried to speak as Bailey helped her back up.

"Jeremi... Doct..." 

Bailey rubbed her back. Carrying her up the stairs.

"We are going to Jerome's bedroom. You need to just sleep for a bit. You can tell us later." 

The front door slammed open as Jerome rushed in. His clothes were all dirty and bloody. Bailey could tell he had killed a few people. A stressed out and tired Ash followed behind him.

"Where is she?!" 

Bailey sighed. She had seen him look a mess before, but never a worried mess. 

"She's upstairs in your bed sleeping." 

Jerome headed towards the stairs when Bailey stopped him.

"Jerome, the poor girl is exhausted. Let her sleep. She can wait to see you." 

Jerome pulled away. 

"She can't sleep. She has to wake up. She's in danger Bailey! So is someone else. They said this person was close to Mercedes. She might know who it is." 

Bailey protested in vain. Jerome grabbed her arm.

"Bailey listen to me. She has waited eighteen years to be told something she has never known. She can't wait another minute. She is in danger Bailey. Exhausted or not. She has to wake up." 

Bailey grabbed Jerome's arm. He groaned. 

"At least clean up first. They scared her. Don't make it worse." 

Jerome glared. 

"They? What did she say to you when you found her?"

"She said something about Jeremiah and a doctor."

Jerome's eye glazed with darkness.

"Shit!" 

Bailey followed Jerome as he ran up the stairs to change clothes. He walked into his room to see Mercedes peacefully sleeping on his pillow. He knelt beside her and pulled her hair out of her face, revealing the cut on her cheek. Jerome ripped the blanket off her. Bailey grabbed the blanket.

"Jerome what are you doing?!" 

He began gently moving Mercedes around. 

"I'm checking to see what that vampire barbie doll did to her!" 

His eyes fell on her right arm. A small spot where a needle had been inserted became visible. Jerome turned to Bailey. 

"Did she seem drugged out? What the fuck did they do?!" 

Mercedes started to groan and shuffle. Her eyes fluttered open and Jerome smiled. 

"Hiya doll face. How are you feeling?" 

Mercedes set up and fell in Jerome's arms. Bailey watched as Jerome held the crying young woman on the floor. Jerome rubbed circles on her back and she cried into his shoulder. He set her up and wiped away her tears with his thumb. 

"I know it has been a long day and you are very tired, but I really need you to wake up. You have to see something. It can't wait. Here." 

Jerome helped her stand up. He picked her up bridal style and left the room. Bailey was not far behind. Mercedes laid her head against his chest. She was still very angry, but she was so glad to see him. Sitting her on the couch, Jerome grabbed the tape and headed towards the player.

"Jerome. If that's the second tape.. I'm not ready.." 

Jerome shook his head. 

"You don't have a choice doll face. You need to be ready."

Bailey and Ash stood to the side, waiting to see what was so important. 

Mercedes's dad appeared on the screen.