Simply & Sanely - Jeremiah Valeska

Chapter 4

You felt like a mouse inside Jeremiah's maze. Trapped within those thick cement walls, you had no other choice than to follow him. Every turn he did seemed randomly, but he moved so quickly, without any hesitation that you knew Jeremiah mastered the maze's structure - with all its paths, hide-outs and exits. Your eyes let go of his back to look up.

Security cameras on every corner captured your movement, their digital eyes seemingly staring at you.

They...-

Your thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Security cameras! Like those outside of the strip-club... Shit, what if the police views the material and discovers you? You were the last person who saw those bastards alive, turning you therefore into a precious witness. What would you tell them? The truth? A lie?

One thing was for sure: the decision was not yours to make, but Jeremiah's. Your life was now in the palm of his hands, like a chessman he held you tight, playing his little game with you whose rules only Jeremiah knew.

Said man stopped in front of a metal door. His speedy fingers pressed some buttons on the key lock, making the door shift aside as if by magic. Jeremiah reached his arm out towards the room, gesturing you to go in first.

You entered the room with an unpleasant feeling. You were greeted by countless monitors, stacked on top of each other which showed the maze's paths. Two table lamps were the only source of light; one was placed on the huge desk in the middle to illuminate Jeremiah's work - papers with notes and sketches, you spotted a map of Gotham City in between them.

„Is this your office?", you asked into the silence, watching Jeremiah as he grabbed the edge of the table to lean over his work. His posture caused his jacket to tense at the back, but he didn't mind. His thoughts were already consumed by his designs and notes.

"Mh-hm", he just hummed. You took the cue from his taciturnity and busied yourself by examining his office some more. Your eyes spotted the little side table with alcohol on it and a sudden craving overwhelmed you.

„Go ahead, help yourself. You are in much need for a drink I am sure." Jeremiah fumbled with his hand casually while he was occupied studying his papers. You didn't waist a second thought and poured yourself a drink.

"Ecco", Jeremiah then spoke into the room without raising his eyes. You frowned and almost dropped your glass when you spotted a woman standing on the opposite site. "Get our guest something...", he briefly overlooked your figure, "... more acceptable to wear. Please." You lowered your gaze, you were still wearing his coat with your short black dress underneath it.

The blonde woman nodded and headed out of the room. The door behind her closed, leaving you and the black-haired man alone this time.

You listened to her fainting footsteps before you took a greedy sip of the golden liquor. The unfamiliar burn made you cough immediately, bringing tears to your eyes, but you took another sip. And another one. Your nerves finally started to calm and for the first time since this whole incident you felt somewhat good.

"What do you want from me, Mr. Valeska?", you found the courage to ask, but you knew it was the alcohol speaking.

"Jeremiah. Please" , he insisted and you hesitated.

"... Jeremiah", you corrected yourself. It felt wrong addressing this criminal with his first name, it created an inappropriate intimacy. And what's more - he seemed to enjoy your uneasiness judging by his victorious smirk.

"Well, my dear. What I want from you...", he left the table to leisurely walk towards you. "... is of great value nowadays. So important but at the same time so hard to find..."