First I gotta thank some beautiful reviewers, some from last chapters and a couple others I didn't get for 8
princess- snow510: I don't even know where to even begin thanking you. Honestly, you are so kind, thank you so very much. I am beyond thrilled that you're enjoying this story, thank you for what you said about Molly too, hope you like this chapter as well
AmyWonderland92: Aw, thank you. And it was no problem mentioning you, you read and reviewed, it is the very least I can do. Unfortunately I don't have a twitter so I won't be able to follow you, but if I did, I definitely would! Also yeah, I read somewhere about Jerome being a proto-Joker and that freaked me out a bit, but I don't feel like they'll kill him. Please don't quote me on that! Anyways enjoy the chapter!
ForEver-A-DayDreamer: Why thank you very much, I'm really glad it's not giving off joker/harley vibes. Also you are too kind, thank you! Hope you like the chapter!
Lady Ravanna: Thank you! Yes, i'm really looking forward to pushing Molly, I know I don't want a stereotypical heroine out of her, I want her more complex, like an antihero I guess? Anyways, I definitely can see Jerome helping push that, although yes he liked Molly as the shy girl he met at that coffee shop, I feel like he knows that girl won't fit into this new world. Enjoy the chapter!
LionNekoAlexis: Never apologize for wanting dirty things, my dear friend. Yes, I have considered giving Molly and Jerome a very physical relationship, so we will have to see where the pieces fall and if that can fit in. Glad you're liking the story!
greenguru11: AWWWWWWWW thank you, I'm so happy you like it, putting a smile on anyone's face is all I can hope for
DarkFireAngel00: Yep, I really want to explore Molly's mentality more. Jerome actually never saw her without some form of wall up, I mean, at least not with the way she acted around Gordon and the Judge. She still around him a lot like how they first met, so there is something else there, whether it was all for show or its truly how she is... well only time will tell.
londonslonely: Ok literally every one of your reviews are so freaking sweet. Seriously, thank you so much! And of course I'm going to respond to you guys, you all take the time to read this story and review it, a response is the very least I can do to thank you all for being so amazing! Yes, I can agree since the moment Molly has met Jerome he always has been different, I just don't think Molly personally understands the weight of how blood thirsty he can get sometimes. I definitely think it will be more of an understanding for her though, possibly even a bit of a wake up call to that other side of her. She hasn't fully shown what she's capable of to him, so that's going to be fun to explore, especially with how this new life style might test their relationship with each other (or perhaps even push it closer together) and how she's going to react to it all. If you remember Molly definitely wanted to branch out and explore, she also wanted to go to college, however her father was simply too overbearing. So, there could still be a part of her who still wants that, anyhow now I'm rambling, glad you are enjoying this story!
kekejo99: Thank you, I'm happy you liked it! yes, I can could see molly being a little thrown off by Jerome's actions, but she's a smart girl, under the circumstances she might even expected it, who knows? Anyway, thank you for the review and please enjoy the chapter!
King rat on the streets in another life
They laugh, we don't think it's funny
"No, you can't use that!" I pulled the joker card off the second center pile, placing it off to the side.
"I thought you said the joker was a wild card!" Jerome asked
I was currently teaching him how to splay speed, which actually is a lot harder to do when you're sitting next to each other, especially when Dobkins the schizophrenic is next to you the entire time trying to play too.
"Ok, yes normally, but there's only one joker card in the deck, that's an unfair advantage" I explained. Jerome huffed and rolled his eyes, but agreed and placed a four on top of the three. The game continued on for a while, ending in myself winning for the third time, though Jerome was insisting he still didn't fully know how to play.
"Alright all or nothing" he began to shuffle the cards again and I couldn't help but laugh.
Silence fell over our group, all of us kind over returning to our own thing. Dobkins started swatting at the air, Greenwood, who was next to Jerome was picking at his teeth, and across from us lay the new girl, Barbara, stretched out between Richard and the bald guy, Aaron, currently having her nails painted.
Lucky her
I began to tap my fingers against the table quietly, trying to entertain myself while Jerome set up for the next game. As if on queue, Barbara sighed breaking the awkward silence
"Someone tell me a funny story" she looked around at the table waiting for someone to end the boredom. I began to think, wondering if I had anything to share. Richard slammed his hand down on the table, gathering all our attention, a proud grin on his face.
"I have a good one"
I shifted in my seat, getting comfortable for his story, the cards long forgotten. It was strange how natural this felt. Just like a group of friends, casually hanging out, like we weren't all prisoners.
Like you're all normal
"So when I was in college, I played for the varsity polo team" Richard began. I heard the sound of the gated door being opened, but I didn't pay much attention to it, as I was trying to listen to Richard's story
"and I had a string of ponies…" his story was cut short by the new inmate who had just entered
"Greetings!" we all turned our attention towards the new face. He was a large man, with an odd haircut to match his equally odd tone
"I am Zaardon, the soul reaper!" he spoke with his arms casted out to the side, his voice bellowing throughout the room. I blinked a couple times, staring at him, sure he was crazy, but this was Arkham, so is everyone here.
"So I had these ponies" Richard began telling his story again, completely disregarding the other guy.
Everyone's crazy
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push those thoughts away, though it wasn't working. I took a couple deep breaths, finally calming myself. Opening my eyes, I tried to bring myself back into Richard's story, though to be completely honest I was lost.
"And the maître d says 'you can't bring them in here!'"
"Hear me slaves!"
I snapped my head towards the new guy, his face red with rage.
Did he really just call us slaves?
"Surrender your souls to my mercy," he climbed up onto the table screaming at us "or I swear by the master I shall feast on your pain! I shall gorge on your torment! I shall crush you like a bug" he started laughing but it started coming out as coughing instead. He began to shake and wheeze, his knees buckling underneath him. He convulsed until finally he collapsed onto the table is mouth opened wide.
We stared at him as his body lay still on the table, was he dead, or did he just pass out? It only got more confusing as a light blue smoke began pouring out of his mouth. I quickly stood up, everyone else seeming to have the same idea. The smoke was starting to fill up the room, making it harder to breath. I tried to cover my mouth, but it was no use, the smoke had already started to take effect.
I reached out trying to find something to hold onto. My hand found it's way to Jerome's sleeve, gripping hard. I tried to look at him, but my vision was too blurred. He stumbled, trying to grab onto me as well, however he only ended up falling onto the table, eyes closed.
I took a step forward trying to run, but I couldn't focus, the room was spinning and it was getting harder to keep my eyes open. I felt myself fall forward blacking out before I even hit the floor.
"Now, Ms. Jefferson, are you sure there isn't anything at all you'd like to keep" Lydia followed Nathan around, workers all around her were clearing out her late ex-husbands home. The estate was large, and Garrett had liked to collect art, so they had barely made a dent.
"Everything out, I got all I wanted in the divorce" they stepped past a man carrying a large vase, entering the study
"What about anything that belongs to you daughter, wouldn't you like anything to remember her by?" he asked, taking note of everything in the room
"She's not dead, Nathan, she's just not here anymore" she placed a kind hand on the man's shoulder "you know you really don't have to be helping me do this"
Nathan brushed her off, letting her know it wasn't a big deal. He walked around the desk, picking up random items, before setting them back down and making more notes. "Lydia, we've been friends since high school, this is the least I can do"
"I know, I just feel like a burden" she sat down on the edge of the desk, setting her purse down next to her
"How's Derek?" she asked and the man in front of her visibly brightened. He started to answer her, but was cut off by the sound of a phone ringing. Lydia opened up her purse, fishing her phone out. She check the id, recognizing it instantly.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this" she shot the man an apologetic look. She slid off the desk and hurried out the door, putting her phone to her ear.
"What happened?" she said in a hushed tone, looking around the hallway to see if she was alone
"Hello to you too, I'm doing well, thank you for asking" Dr. Nara spoke up from the other end
"Cut the crap, Annie. Why are you calling" Lydia could hear her let out a sigh through the phone.
"We have a situation"
Lydia's blood froze. A couple workers passed her, each one carrying some random artifact found throughout the house. She forced a smile at them, waiting until they reached the end of the hallway before speaking again.
"Define situation"
"There's been a break in at Arkham, seven inmates were taken"
Any ounce of positive emotions that were in Lydia Jefferson's body crumbled at that very moment. She leaned back against the wall for support, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm her nerves.
"Molly was one of them"
She covered her mouth, trying to regulate her breathing. Her vision was blurry and there was a weight on her chest she couldn't quite push off. Her phone buzzed, indicating that another call was coming in. She pulled her phone away from her ear, the id only increasing her nerves.
"Annie, I have to go" she hung up on the psychiatrist then answered the other call.
"Hello?" she tried to settle her voice, putting on a brave face. She pretended to be clueless, but deep down she knew exactly what this phone call was about.
"Lydia this is Jim Gordon from GCPD, I'm calling in regard of your daughter, Molly"
Black.
Everything was black.
I moved my body around, but it was constricted, as if I was strapped to something. Whatever it was, it was holding me up, but my head was dropped, straining my neck. My head was throbbing, when I passed out I must've fallen on it, and I could feel a bump forming.
Two bruises in one day, must be a new record
I rolled my neck a few times, trying to soothe it. It gave out several cracks and I groaned, both in pain and relief. Someone next to me groaned as well, followed by a few others. At least I wasn't alone. Bright light flooded my vision when I opened my eyes, I squinted, trying to adjust. I looked around trying to figure out where I was. On my left was Jerome, and on my other side was Schizo, in fact the entire table was here. All of us were strapped to what appeared to be rolling carts for boxes.
"What the hell is this place" Greenwood spoke up.
I continued looking around. We had to have been in a tower of sorts, and from the looks of outside the large windows, still in Gotham. One side of the room there was a desk, two men stood in front of it dressed in all black holding big guns. Next to them stood a man and woman by a spiral staircase. The other stood another pair of men in all black with guns, guarding the only exit.
"It ain't Arkham anyhow," Jerome looked at Greenwood with excitement "things are looking up."
I fought my restraints, but it was no use, I was trapped. My eyes darted across the room over and over again, I was determined to find out exactly what the hell was going on.
"Welcome, everyone" the man by the staircase greeted "my name is Theo Galavan"
He made his way in front of us, giving me a better look at him He was older, wore a dark suit and his hair was gelled and styled. He presented himself with an aura of confidence and power, making everyone know that he was a man of respect.
"this is my sister, Tabitha" he gestured to the girl he was next to, a young woman dressed in leather with a high ponytail.
Greenwood was the first to speak up, everyone else following, demanding to know where we were. I kept quiet, watching the man before us. He held up a hand, silencing everyone.
"I understand you might be confused, scared, a little groggy…please, relax." He made his way down the line, looking each of us over "Today is the first day of a wonderful future for all of you. If you want"
"Who are you?" Barbara piped up from the end of the line. Her and Galavan made eye contact. He stopped in his tracks, looking almost amused at her words.
"Well now the question is, who are you?" he began walking again, slower this time. "The world sees criminal lunatics, I see brilliance" he stopped in front of me, checking me up and down. Our gazes locked and he offered me a smirk, but I simply just stared. He stalked towards the end of the line, speaking lowly as he did
"I see charisma, and power" This time he stopped in front of Barbara, gazing down at her with interest "I see power"
"Yes! Exactly, my man!" Jerome spoke up his whole demeanor changed to that of a kid in a candy store. "That is so spooky, that is me to a T. These other bozos, I don't know" he mumbled on, jerking his head towards the others .
"but you're singing my song" he added with a grin. I shushed him giving him a look as if to say shut up. Richard felt the same way as he shouted towards the red head from the other end of the line.
"Quiet, Jerome!" he nodded at Galavan, urging him to continue "keep talking"
Galavan smirked, looking down the line yet again. He was testing us, for what I couldn't tell, but he was still testing.
"Imagine, a group of outlaws like yourselves, each selected for your unique ability, all working together as a team. Imagine the synergy. Imagine the impact" He paced past us again, I was making my neck her even more following this guy back and forth. "Gotham would tremble before you"
Barbara smirked at the man, tilting her head to the side. "Well, that sounds fabulous, but I'm not a brilliant outlaw. I just have…" she trailed of trying to find the right words to say.
"Issues" I finished for her. We shared a glance, and there was sudden mutual understanding for each other, a common respect.
"Issues" she smiled at me and nodded.
"You have ferocity" Galavan offered, stalking back to our end of the line
"and beauty" he added while looking at me. He stood in front of Barbara again, captivating her stare "and desire, and that's enough"
He lifted her chin, keeping her gaze on him "Come with me, Barbara. Whatever you want in the world, it's yours" He looked back at me "whatever you want."
"Theo? That's your name, right? Theo?" Richard called, snapping us out of our daze. Galavan looked over at the older gentlemen, brows furrowed.
"You're getting way ahead of yourself, here. First of all, keep you hands off her" Richard nodded towards Barbara "Second, this whole 'magic team'? I gotta pass. I don't take orders. Good luck on everything, though. It's an intriguing concept."
The moment those words left his mouth, I knew Richard had made a mistake. Sure, I had no idea who this Theo Galavan guy is, but he definitely didn't appear to be someone taken lightly.
"This is very disappointing" Galavan said quietly, even just standing there he looked intimidating.
Richard rolled his eyes and scoffed, as if he understood what he was getting at. "Fair play. You want a reward for busting us out of Arkham. I am grateful." Galavan's face remained stoic
His poker face might beat Detective Gordon's
"How's a million bucks sound? Pretty good, huh? I can get it for you today, soon as I hit the streets" Richard offered. Nothing about Galavan looked like he was buying in on it.
"Money's not the concern. I didn't anticipate sexual jealousy. That always poisons the well. Oh…I had such high hopes for you." He turned and faced the men in front of the desk and his sister "You have to go. Tabitha will see you out"
His sister walked behind Richard, unstrapping him. Once Richard was free he dusted himself off, walking to Barbara.
"Ms. Kean is coming with me" he stopped and glanced at me, giving me a look of mock sympathy "Sorry, Molly, but you father and I were friends"
If I wasn't strapped up right now, I'd so be flipping you off
"Oh, she doesn't want to go where you're going" I heard a whip crack. Turning my head I saw that Tabitha had pulled one out. She cracked the whip again, this time it wrapping around Richard's neck. She yanked him towards her, him crashing to the ground hard. Once he was down she straddled him, pulling a knife out her belt and stabbing him multiple times, blood splattering everywhere.
I couldn't bring myself to look away, Jerome was laughing next to me, but I don't know if I was feeling the same way about this he was. In fact I couldn't tell how I was feeling. I wasn't disgusted, or horrified, not even remorseful. I felt…
Intrigued
"Anyone else want to leave?" Galavan asked. I shook my head, still staring at Richard's body.
"Good"
You don't believe in god
I don't believe in luck
They don't believe in us
But I believe we're the enemy!
Ok, I totally lied about the new chapter on wednesday and stayed up till 4 am writing this. I just couldn't leave it with that last chapter, I'm sorry. Alright, so Molly and the rest of the gang are out and about to run rapid across Gotham...or is she? Time to see if Molly really is like the others. Again I am absolutely blown away by you guys, seriously can't tell you how much I love you! Seriously, the amount of feedback I'm getting is fabulous! Also, I don't know if any of you are interested but, on spotify right now is the I guess the "official" Black Diamond playlist! What I mean by that, is basically its just a collection of songs that helped inspire to write this story, so check it out if you want, some of them were used in chapters! (username still is alphabadwolf)
One final question: do you think Molly is going to join in with the chaos, or will she be reluctant?
Don't forget to review!
Til next time xx
-Kit
Song: DESTROYA - My Chemical Romance