"For my mother looks over me!"
It was the most obnoxious sound I had ever heard, belted out by two annoying people. I admit my brother knows how to sing, and I appreciated his voice... when I was fully awake. But I was trying to sleep in. Recently, I've had this thing where I am still very exhausted, no matter how much sleep I get. To make it worse, they clanged the silverware together, singing even louder as if to spite me.
I lifted my head off the warm pillow, blinking tiredly, "What the hell?" Huffing, I placed the fluffy cushion over my head in an attempt to block the sound.
It didn't work.
"And again!" Edward exclaimed happily.
"No," I whined, pressing the pillow further onto my head, but it wasn't enough. "Not again."
"The fire had gone out,
Wet snow from above
But nothing will warm me more
Then my, my mother's love!"
An annoyed yell was released into the mattress. There had been no choice but to wake up, so I waddled into the bathroom and did my necessities before heading to the kitchen. I was so exhausted I could care less if Mister Cobblepot was our sick guest. With the racket they'd been making, it seemed like the flightless bird was feeling better, and someone had to take the blame for ruining my morning.
Once at the entrance, I crossed my arms, waiting to be acknowledged... that wasn't going to happen. Edward and Penguin sat at the table laughing while they had breakfast, or perhaps it was lunch? They were having Chinese food and wine. I couldn't help but smile. I had never seen my brother happy with anyone other than me... or Kristen.
"Nice of you, gentlemen, to wake me up for breakfast." I joked, chuckling, making the loudness stop and their heads turn to me.
My sibling beamed, laughing sheepishly. "Oops. We got carried away. Good morning, Ree. Mind having breakfast with us?"
I grinned, muttering a 'good morning' before glancing at Penguin, who seemed to have seen a ghost or something — eyes opened wide, lips agape. "Morning, Mister Oswald." I reached for the wine, but a chopstick swatted at my hand, and my brother gave me a warning look. "Ouch."
"I know — I know you," Oswald exclaimed, his finger pointed somewhat accusatorily at me. My mouth pursed, self-conscious because I knew exactly what he was alluding to. His eyebrows knit together, eyeing me carefully. "You. You were the girl on the news... Valeska's girlfriend."
My lungs felt as if they had constricted - I couldn't breathe. The palpitating muscle in my chest ached upon hearing that name. The wound hadn't even started to heal yet. It was difficult not to miss Jerome and his antics. It was likely too soon to say, but he was the love of my life. He had an atmosphere that exposed you to the most fucked up euphoria; it was beautiful. Just when I had begun getting used to it, warming up to the good and bad parts, he was snatched from my grasp.
Edward's eyes connected with mine, displaying worry — this subject wasn't the most delightful to talk about. He pursed his lips, looking at the other man like he wanted to ask him not to bring that up.
"How do you know her?" Blue eyes now narrowed curiously, interrogating Edward. I arched an eyebrow and leaned against the doorframe. "Do you go around picking up serial killers?"
My sibling pursed his lips, "Well, Reese is my little sister."
Oswald's eyes widened, his lips parted in incredulity. He looked between the two of us before nodding as if reaching an understanding, "Oh, I see. It's hereditary."
My eyes narrowed as he commented on our psyches but disregarded it and grabbed a plate from the top cabinets near the sink. I sat at the table, slipping some food into the porcelain. A stare weighed on me - Oswald's, and I knew exactly what he was looking at. My wounds. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me uncomfortable and self-conscious. I lacked pride in them. It was the grotesque physical imprint of the harshest reality, one I loathed to see every day.
It truly bothered that he wasn't unsubtle with his interest - Edward could tell, too. Just as he went to vocalize his thoughts, I beat him to it. "What?" I asked, in a voice too sharp for my liking, but I was actually irritated.
Stupidly, I assumed Penguin would let it rest and say 'nothing'. Instead, my question presented him with an opportunity to ease his curiosity, "Who did that?"
Edward seemed worried, but I knew he wanted to know too. It's understandable - I hadn't told him because I was scared. I didn't want him to look into it. Galavan was capable of killing loved ones to hurt you. He'd done it already and wasn't going to do it again. I could tell Ed wanted to ask whenever we spoke about my injuries but never brought himself to do it. Plus, I said I didn't want to talk about it. But his eyes never lied - He wanted to know desperately.
I hesitated slightly, rethinking. It was as if my tongue was tied, and the words didn't want to come out. Partially because fury burned in my veins whenever I thought of Theo, the other part was afraid and wondered how reliable the stranger in my home was. Maybe he was an acquaintance of that asshole, and he'd tell him I was alive as soon as he left. For some reason, my gut inclined to reveal his name.
"Theo Galavan." Finally, I revealed, immediately feeling resentment bubble in my belly. They seemed stunned at what I had said; my brother's expression twisted with anger. "He broke me out of Arkham and made me work for him. After the Gala, he and Tabitha did this." What surprised me was that Oswald looked so upset, as if his name had triggered a distressing memory.
Edward scoffed. "Too bad Galavan is in prison because I would've -"
"Theo's in prison?" My eyes widened, my body straightening, astonished at what he had just said. "Are you serious?"
A nod was replied, "He was taken to Blackgate not long ago."
My mouth fell agape, lips curling up at the thought of Theo not getting what he had wanted. It enraged me that he was still alive. I couldn't get revenge. "I wish he wasn't — Blackgate is a treat for him. How am I supposed to express my anger if I can't ever confront him?" I began digging into the noodles and chicken.
Penguin's annoyed expression dissipated and broke into a slight grin. He looked at my brother. "What happened to that gentleman you had tied up earlier?" He questioned curiously.
My eyebrows conjoined in confusion, eyes turning to Edward - Then it hit me. "You kidnapped someone?"
"Galavan's lackey," Edward confirmed, a proud smile spreading across his face. My jaw dropped, amazed. He had kidnapped someone.
"Is it Mister Leonard? He was arrogant and annoying and such an idiot."
I perked up slightly upon hearing her talk but giggled in agreement. He was an asshole, giving the Maniax dirty looks as if his boss was better than us. I wasn't rich but was more educated than the Galavans and their lackeys. Everyone in our group, except Jerome, ate and spoke like pigs - Especially Greenwood.
"Why do you ask?" My sibling questioned, smirking as he innocently placed his wrists under his chin. The blue-eyed man sent him a look, and Edward immediately knew. He turned around to glance at the small walk-in closet.
They stood and made their way toward the room.
Curiously, I followed and couldn't help but laugh when I saw who was in it. There was no longer tiredness but this wave of raging adrenaline. "Well, look who we have here, guys. Mister Leonard." The man was tied to a chair, a dirty sack over his head. I could recognize him by the attire he wore. At the sound of my voice, his entire body shook with fear - He remembered me. I chuckled and looked at our guest. "What are we to do with him?"
The black-haired man grinned evilly. "My mother always said a party is not a party without entertainment." The man on the chair whined in what sounded almost like a question but was muffled through a gag.
Excited, I approached the man, holding the chair by the back, making him jump. He yelled to plead, but I went behind him and rested my chin on his shoulder. "Well, Mister Penguin, your mother was a wise woman. Isn't that right, Leo?" He breathed heavily. I smirked, grabbed the chair by the seat, and began to roll the seat out of the small closet. He screamed for his dear life, but none of us would listen.
Edward shut the door behind me while I teased and mocked the man who would suffer a terrible demise. I mentally asked Jim for forgiveness because I have to admit, it felt incredible to hurt again. Oswald seemed to enjoy it as much as we did, so maybe we could all be good friends.
- ¤ -
Nope.
No.
No.
No.
Fuck no.
Penguin and I cannot be friends - I dislike him. He needs to leave my quiet, peaceful abode and let me be. Ed had only been gone for a few minutes, but the gangster was already getting on my nerves. First, he made me fix the toilet to his liking because it was 'slow', then the shower head was 'useless', and now he's causing disarray, about to break all the cabinets.
"Where's the spicy mustard?" He questioned as he destroyed the kitchen, then turned toward the couch where I was watching the television. "Have you seen the spicy mustard?"
I ignored him.
Trying to grab my attention, a large damp towel was tossed and landed on my face, "How do you guys survive without spicy mustard?" He turned back to look through the cabinets.
"Ew!" I groaned and yanked the towel (which we used to clean the kitchen) off my face. I silently walked to the house phone and dialed Edward. "God damnit."
He responded, sounding aggravated, "Yes?"
"Eddie?" I frantically questioned. This prompted Penguin to glance at me.
"Are you alright?" His voice now sounded worried.
"Help me." This caused the blue-eyed man to narrow them at me. Mine widened and turned away, actually scared of him. "I think Penguin is possessed... He is acting like a madman and glaring at me. Call the church." I whispered dramatically. Suddenly, the phone was yanked from my hold, making me glare. "Hey!" I sneered.
The short man rested the phone over his ear. "Ed —" he called, walking back into the kitchen, pulling the refrigerator door open, and rummaging through leftovers and condiments. "Where is the spicy mustard? You better not have finished it... Ah." One of the glass jars was taken — literally, the first one — a giant smile plastered on his face. "Never mind!" The call was hung up.
Please, let there be some peace.
I sighed, "Hey, what are you making?"
"Hot Dog."
"Hot Doggie!" I gasped, smiling, "Can you make me one? Please."
"No."
My eyebrows conjoined, "What? Why?" Is he serious? After everything I did for him?
"What exactly did you do, Ree?"
"... I unclogged the fucking toilet. I think that merits a hot dog."
I crossed my arms across over my chest, upset. Oswald overlooked me and continued making his snack. I huffed and plopped myself back on the sofa.
He paused, "Where's the ketchup?"
Freezing, I shut my eyes, sighing - Here we go again.
- ¤ -
Reese watched as the bulky man carried a knocked-out Jim Gordon into the loft. It bewildered and intrigued her — she had no clue what Oswald had been up to while he was gone. Her eyebrow arched, staring as the raven-haired man entered right behind Gabe. "Why the hell is James in my home... and knocked out?"
The gangster wobbled closer, "He is going to tell us where Theo Galavan is."
She perked, this time interested. Penguin confided in her and told her about what happened to his mother... she was enraged. Another loved one lost to those two. Theo was a heartless monster who needed to be put down immediately.
Gabe placed the injured detective on Ed's bed - Not so gently.
The girl frowned, noticing how harmed he was. "What happened to him?" She examined, concerned. It didn't mean to come out like that, but Reese couldn't bring herself to hate the detective for some reason. She'd defied his morals and betrayed his friendship but could still spare him. He treated her like an actual person, not a freak. Even when she was on the brink of quitting that night at the Gala, he tried to persuade her - He had hope for Reese.
Oswald stared, humming, "Let's see, well, he was beaten by Theo's henchmen." She rolled her eyes; at this point, there was no surprise. "Gabe killed them, and I tried to slap the answers out of Jim." The raven-haired gangster stated calmly, but her brown eyes had widened.
They narrowed, not comprehending the audacity and how the detective was still breathing. "Let me get this straight: Jim was in pain, you saved him and gave him relief... then you caused more pain?"
Oswald's lips puckered. He shrugged as if pondering what was wrong with it, "Yeah."
"The man was dying, and you hit him?" Reese scoffed but was waved off. She walked toward the bathroom and took the first aid kit before returning to Jim and disinfecting his wounds. Sometime during this, Edward arrived and was equally confused, eyes asking for an explanation - It was given to him.
When she finished patching up Jim, he still wasn't awake and would continue to be passed out until tomorrow. Gabe had left the loft, and the remaining men had decided to sleep. She wanted to sleep; her body was feeling the weight of midnight. Oswald had taken her room without consent. It annoyed Reese that she couldn't do anything because Ed kept reminding her he was the guest.
Also... Oswald was a complete drama queen.
Edward was lying on the longer sofa, making her sigh — The most comfortable one. She would have to sleep on the smallest one, and her muscles would ache in the morning.
Reese squirmed in the tiny space; it hurt to lay on the armrests. Just as she was about to surrender to sleep, someone nudged a foot against hers. It startled her momentarily, but she opened her eyes unwillingly. Despite his exhaustion wearing him down, he managed to pat the spot beside him, knowing that she was uncomfortable.
She pouted, not wanting to get up, but eventually, she shuffled toward him sleepily. She lay beside him, still cocooned in a blanket, and her cozy figure was embraced. Many would find it strange to be so close with their siblings; they didn't see it that way. Edward had been the source of comfort she relied on while growing up. They'd been through a lot together, relied on each other, but respected their boundaries and space.
"Night, night, Reese," Edward muttered under his breath.
She let her eyes close under the warmth of the blanket. "Night, night, Ed." The man laid his head behind hers and closed his eyes, ready to succumb to sleep. She yawned, "Stop... You ate all spicy mustard... Ozzie." Reese mumbled under her breath with delusion from the fatigue. "Hot doggie."
A little snort escaped Edward. He patted her shoulder and pressed a tender peck on his little sister's head before succumbing to sleep, too.
Published: 04/27/24