A Little Mad

Chapter 33

Mercedes woke with a frightened start. The room was pitch black expect for the alarm clock light. The clock read three thirty in the morning. Her eyes scanned the dark room until they landed on a corner. She froze, sensing someone was standing there. 

"I know someone's there... Who are you...?"

She felt her words sounded too much like the girl in a horror movie, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. Slowly the figure stepped out of the shadows and was shown by the small pale moon light. Doctor Strange gave her a wicked smile. Mercedes stood up for the bed and backed all the way against the wall.

"You... What are you doing here... What do you want...?

She was scared, but frozen to the spot. She was afraid to stay, but also afraid of what would happen if she were to run. Pulling what little courage she could find, she picked up the cup on the side table and threw it at him. Doctor Strange disappeared. 

"You know something happened to him."

His voice caused her to shoot her head towards the dresser. She shook her head.

"You're not real... I'm seeing things.."

"You know if you don't go look for him, he will die. I know it too. You know your powers, but you will never be strong enough. You cannot do this. Jerome will die if you don't go and find him." 

Mercedes shook her head and closed her eyes. His voice rang loudly through her ears.

"He will die! He doesn't even care about you! You will fail! Find him!"

Tears streamed down her face as she covered her ears and screamed. 

"Get away from me! Go away!"

When she finally opened her eyes, the room was still dark, and she was alone. Even though she knew it wasn't real, she still believed that something could be wrong. She felt she needed to go find him. She was not about to let him die if she could help it. She checked all the rooms and both TaTyana and Bailey were sleeping soundly, except Bailey had a bed guest. Ash wasn't always there, but when he was, he was up Bailey's ass. No matter how much Bailey said she couldn't stand him, she would have sex with him and let him follow her around. Mercedes knew a small part of Bailey liked Ash and she thought the two were adorable. She was glad that her screaming had woken no one up. She went back into Jerome's bedroom and rummaged through his dresser until she found a M1911 pistol with two full magazines. {The M1911, also known as the Colt Government or "Government", is a single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, recoil-operated pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. It served as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1986. } She knew Jerome wouldn't like her touching any of his small hidden guns that weren't in his locked tight armory room, but he wasn't there to stop her. Mercedes was still learning her powers, and she didn't have time for them to act up and get her killed. She took a deep breath and headed towards the front door. She knew that there are many dangers just outside that door in this city. She shook the thought and remembered why she was going. She sighed and stepped out of the front door. 

An hour had passed by, and Mercedes was roaming the streets of cold Gotham alone. Pistol in her pocket ready to fire. A foot step sounded through the air behind her and froze. She turned around slowly to see a man that looked like he could have been one of Jerome's followers, but she didn't recognize him at all. He spoke slowly.

"So.. What.. are you.. doing out here.. all alone..?"

Mercedes backed away. More men who dressed similar emerged from the surrounding shadows. Mercedes pulled out the pistol and aimed it. They met her with laughter. 

"Do you even know how to use that?" 

Without thinking Mercedes pulled the trigger and began to run. She could have the shouting and running behind her. She was entirely frightened, but a small part of her knew she could stand up to them. Still, her body stayed in flight mode. She started to feel like a coward. Her feet were carrying her as fast as they would allow her to go. She couldn't stop to catch her breath because the men behind her hadn't given up yet. She ran for what felt like more than two miles. She rounded a corner only to bump into someone. Without a first glance she aimed the pistol, but slowly lowered it after she realized who it was. The man gave her a charming smile.

"Mercedes... what are you doing out here.. and alone..?" 

Mercedes could hear the same men still running behind her. She wrapped her arms around the muscular left arm of Jeremiah. 

"I don't know... but I would really like to get out of here..." 

The men rounded the corner a few moments later and Mercedes hid behind Jeremiah still holding onto his arm. She wasn't looking for Jeremiah, but she was a little relieved that she ran into him. One of the men huffed.

"We saw her first Valeska! She's ours!"

Jeremiah let out a maniacal laugh that sounded so similar to Jerome's; it gave Mercedes comfort.

"Why don't you short brain celled idiots run along? I can take care of the young lady from here."

One man stepped forward.

"No way Jeremiah! You don't run all of us!"

Jeremiah sighed. 

"Don't make my men have to kill you. Just do what I say and leave with what little dignity and respect you still have." 

The group of men groaned and turned around slowly to leave. Until they stopped. They turned around and ran their direction. Gun shots rang through the air. Jeremiah swiftly pulled Mercedes into the alley they were next to. She was placed carefully behind him. She buried her head into his back, still holding his arm as the gun fire kept going. Everything fell silent. 

"All clear boss!" 

Jeremiah turned to face Mercedes, and she buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around him. 

"Thank you Jeremiah..." 

She pulled away and gave him a relieved smile. He grabbed her hand.

"Come on. Let's get out of here."