Chapter 21
I change out of my work clothes for the day, having just finished up work. The other girls are all doing the same, exchanging their glitter and sequins for tight shirts and fishnets. Not much of a transition, in my opinion. I sense their judgemental stares as I put on a simple lavender dress with puffed sleeves. I smile as I slip into brown flats, if they don't like the Baby Doll look, then tough.
There's a sudden commotion from outside, the girls and I rush to the door to see what's the fuss. Gilzean and another one of Fish's men are walking down the hall, with someone else in tow,
"C'mon Raoul, this'll be over before you know it." Gilzean assures him sarcastically, dragging him along the ground.
"So he's the one stealing money from Fish." one of the girls realizes.
The girls glance around among themselves, trying to figure out which one of us snitched on him but no one gives themselves away.
We all scurry to the window facing the rainy alley out back. There, Gilzean gets out a metal baseball bat from behind a garbage can. Holding it with both hands, he takes a practice swing in the air,
"So Raoul, buddy ol' pal...where's Fish's money?"
"I don't have it!" Raoul declares, "There's been a mistake!"
Gilzean presses the end of the bat against Morgan's forehead, "Oh really?" winding up, he smacks Raoul's stomach with the bat, causing him to fall to the ground, "Then what were you doing in Fish's office the other night?"
"N-nothing, I swear."
He cracks him with the bat again, sending a shout of pain from Morgan. Gilzean hands the bat to the other man, who hits him two more times, both on the head. Blood begins dispelling from his head, and he starts sobbing quietly. Just then, Fish appears with Oswald, holding an umbrella for her. She slowly approaches the broken Morgan, her expression stern, and disappointed,
"I still care for you deeply, but I don't believe you still care for me anymore."
"I c...c-care about you!" he pleads.
"Then where's my money?"
"I'll get it, I'll get it, I'll get it."
I shake my head, while yes, getting hit with a metal baseball bat hurts like hell, just a few swings shouldn't have made him snap so quickly. What kind of people has Amanda been hiring?
My attention turns slightly as I notice Oswald's expression. He seems entranced by the action taking place, so much so that his umbrella is no longer covering Fish,
"Boy!" she snaps.
"Sorry." he apologizes meekly.
She points a stern finger at him, "If you let this hair go frizzy, you will be."
So this is how she's been treating Oswald. I admit, I haven't been able to see much of them interacting, since they're usually out on business while I'm performing onstage.
Lazlo comes around to the alley, "Ma'am, Detective Bullock is here."
She glares at Morgan, "Keep him warm."
Gilzean nods, "Yes, ma'am."
She gives Lazlo her coat before stepping back into the club. A detective? So the police are questioning her, probably about the Wayne murders no doubt, since it happened not too far from here.
"Hey, Oswald? You want a turn?" Gilzean asks, offering the bat to him.
"...may I?"
"Knock yourself out, kid."
Oswald takes the bat from him, "Thank you, ."
He starts by tentatively shoving the bat at Morgan, who is already in terrible pain, moans in protest. Oswald chuckles at this, before lightly swinging at Morgan. He grunts as the bat hits him, and Oswald laughs in a low, malicious tone. Morgan looks up at Oswald, silently pleading for him not to continue. Gilzean is about to step in to take the bat when Oswald smacks Morgan again, harder this time. Now having lost his reservations, he doesn't hesitate to hit him again, attacking him repeatedly, his blows escalating in force until he's wildly beating him uncontrollably, a wide smile plastered across his face.
"Oswald, whoa." Gilzean finally stops him.
"Yeah, take it easy, Penguin." the other man joins in.
"You know I don't like to be called that." he reminds, his voice harsh but still intimidated.
"Ooh, scary." the other man mocks.
The girls begin backing away from the window as one of the detectives comes in to talk to them. Ana bumps my arm and I lean in as she whispers,
"I thought that guy was creepy to begin with, but this is serious. You better reconsider your relationship with him, that's a domestic abuse case waiting to happen."
It's hard to not agree. I've never seen Oswald this violent, who knew he was capable of this, but now looking back on it, the signs were always there from the start, was I just too blind to see them?
Tonight, the night is quiet, except for the whistling of a chilly autumn wind that breaks through the many cracks and crevices in the walls. Having just returned home from work, I sit alone in the living room, listening to the radio, where two broadcasters are discussing the circumstances of the Wayne murders,
"I think that this murder was just a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The Theatre District is a dangerous place at night, and the Waynes are easily recognizable faces." one of the broadcasters reason.
"I don't know John, while the police have yet to release any information, what are the chances that someone would just 'accidentally' kill the Waynes?"
The first broadcaster laughs, "Ah, c'mon man, you're being paranoid, who'd want to kill the Waynes? Look how much they've done for Gotham, not to mention the killer left their son, Bruce Wayne alive. If this was a real hit, why leave alive the singular heir to the Wayne fortune?"
I sigh, turning off the radio. I could think of a lot of reasons why a hitman and his employers would want to keep the kid alive. They could use him as a puppet so they could control Wayne Enterprises from behind the shadows. Poor kid, I wasn't that much younger when I lost my parents…
I open up my apartment door to get some fresh air, but just as I walk into the hallway I spot the manager smoking what appears to be an illicit substance. The air is thick and dense from the scent, it's clearly the cheap stuff. I retreat back into my apartment, slamming the door behind me to make sure the scent doesn't get into the room.
I'm about to slump onto the couch in defeat when I hear the window in my room creak. I look over through the open doorway to my room. I could get some fresh air on the fire escape, perfect! I rush over to the window and open it up. The minute I do, the nighttime breeze whips my hair, and I feel the rush of the wind from the air pressure changing as I step outside.
Looking out into the Gotham skyline, I lean against the fire escape as the familiar noises of the city echo in the distance. I close my eyes, letting the wind blow against my face, enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet. Perhaps though, this is only the quiet before the storm…
"I had a feeling you'd be here." I jolt my head to the side and see Oswald ascending the steps from the previous floor, his shiny, pointy black dress shoes barely making a sound.
I smile, while of course I still haven't forgiven him for what he did, I only have to deal with him for a few more days, the least I can do is put some effort into it.
"I've made arrangements to meet with two officers from Major Crimes tomorrow morning. If they don't go after Fish, at the very least I'll have earned their trust." he informs me, leaning against the fire escape, folding his hands together.
"Major Crimes? I know they're the Waynes, but shouldn't that be Homicide's job?" I reason.
Oswald shakes his head, "Yes, but Major Crimes is looking to take it off of Homicide's hands, and my information should be just what they need to get that competitive edge."
"I see." I admit aloud.
The stars are strangely bright tonight. A clear sky illuminates the dark city that seems to stretch into infinity. Oswald slowly scoots closer to me until he bumps my shoulder,
"Oh...sorry." he apologizes, shirking back.
I smile weakly, "It's fine."
A gust of wind blows through as we stand by each other in relative silence.
"I...I didn't mean to hurt you." he confesses, gripping the railing with his veiny knuckles.
"...I know." although honestly, I don't.
He looks up at the quiet night sky, his expressive light green eyes gazing towards the stars, "When...when someone comes along, and shows you a whole new world of possibilities, one of kindness and compassion, friendship...it just...it consumes you." he reaches his hand across the space between us and presses it on top of mine,
"Would you please, allow me this one indulgence?"
I twist my lips, now I feel bad for wanting to kill this man. I know I shouldn't, not after what happened but, I truly understand what he's talking about. It's rare anyone ever extends a willing hand of friendship, unconditional and honest.
From under his hand, my own hand reaches up and intertwines with his, "Yes." I whisper softly.
He holds my chin with his other hand, before gently pulling me toward him. Our lips connect, and we kiss. My hands move to his shoulders, wrapping my arms around him. He slowly pulls his arms around my waist, and I allow myself to enjoy every moment, for it may be the last I ever have.
The kiss ends, and we lean our heads in, foreheads against one another's, our noses touching.
"I love you." Oswald murmurs, his words almost inaudible.
"I love you too." I reply instinctively, not even thinking about it.
No, no, no, I don't love him. What I'm feeling...is just infatuation. Besides, as I saw earlier tonight, Oswald is a dangerous man, the last thing I want to do is have feelings toward him. What is it about him that I find so attractive anyhow? Perhaps it was because he's so dangerous, danger has always been a close companion of mine. Or...maybe like him, I'm so starved for companionship that it would lead me to make these rash, irresponsible decisions. Of which is true, I do not know.
"Oswald Kabelput! Where are you, my boy?!" Mrs. Cobblepot's raspy voice calls out.
He looks down at the apartment below, before looking up to face me, "Goodnight...goodnight," he kisses me on the forehead, "sleep well, and when you dream, dream of me."
He rushes down the fire escape and ducks back into his apartment. I smile, stepping into my apartment, and closing the window, "Tonight…"
Author's Note:
The Cowgirl Bookworm: Thank you very much. I agree Oswald and his mother have a traditional European motif going on, and not to mention Oswald's origin in the Arkham games is that his family was rich until their company was bankrupted by the Waynes
Fuchsia Grasshopper: Yeah, hopefully now that we're into the events of the pilot his personality matches up with that of the show's. And oh...Christmas story :D I was thinking of making a Christmas chapter for this story once I catch up to the episode, but by the time it'll probably be way past Christmas
Thanks! :)