PLEASE KEEP COMMENTING YOUR REACTIONS TO THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING THE CHAPTER AND JUST THE CHAPTER IN GENERAL
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"Whatever you expect as ransom, I'll double it."
Jane watched amusedly as the mayor and other important people of Gotham City were handcuffed to the stolen vane. If only they knew what would happen to them.
The mayor's voice had calmed down a little as he spoke to Jerome. "I have access to the police pension fund."
Jerome nodded his head, pretending to think about it. "Wow, that could be a lot of money."
"That's really tempting, Mister Mayor," Jane commented. She leaned against the van with her arms crossed. "But, we're good."
But the Mayor was not stopping. He was pulled further into the van and started begging to more of the criminals. "Bridget, isn't it? I can get you safe passage from the city, money, a new home..."
"It was people like you that locked me up in Strange's lab, and thanks to that, there is no Bridget anymore."
With no help there, he turned to the next person: Jervis Tetch. "I can get you a pardon, son. All will be forgiven. Just stop this lunatic."
"Lunatic is a little harsh. I prefer visionary."
Jane then was the next to make eye contact with the pleading Mayor. "I can get you out of this city. Far from everyone here where no one could get to you. You could live a nice, free life."
Jane pretended to think about it, twisting a strand of red hair around her pointer finger. She slowly inched closer to the man. "That's a real great offer, Mister Mayor. And if I was the same person I was a year ago, I would've accepted it." She looked him straight in the eye. "I tried telling you all how I didn't belong there and now look what I turned into. I would rather see this city burn."
The Mayor was looking like his patience was thinning and his nervousness was starting to become a panic. As a last attempt, he turned to Oswald, who had been rather quiet and observing everything that was happening. "Oswald, can't you do something?"
Oswald had hesitated, which caused most of the criminals in the van to turn and look at him. Finally, he replied. "Afraid not. I am with Mr. Valeska 100%."
"Nice answer, Pengy." Jane's hand collided with his shoulder, causing him to jump a little.
The Mayor turned around to face Jerome, his voice getting loud. "Every cop in this city will be looking for us, and when they find you, expect no mercy, just a hail of bullets."
Jane giggled. So dramatic.
She wasn't the only one that thought so. "So serious," Jerome commented, staring intently at the anxious Mayor. "That's why your approval ratings are so low." He went to fix the Mayor's tie. "Hey, I'll tell yah what - Try threatening me again, but this time, try it with a smile." The Mayor kept a straight face. "Ah, see, this is what's wrong. Nobody knows how to have fun anymore, right?" He pointed down to Mr. Crane, who stood further down in the van. "But see our friend down there, bag head. He's figured out a way to solve that."
Jane watched carefully as Crane inched towards the middle aged woman that stood next to him. Now was the time. They were gonna test out Crane's new concoction, a laughing gas that turned the individual insane. The purple gas smothered the woman's face as Crane pressed the button to unleash it. It didn't take long for the woman's body to start shaking back and forth and for her laughing to turn into an insane symphony that filled the rest of the van. Jane stared in amazement.
"It's time to give this city the boost it needs. Time to stop taking ourselves so seriously." Jerome announced. He walked through the van slowly, taking his time. "I mean, come on, Gotham, what do you have to lose?"
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"Ladies and Gentlemen! We are the Arkham Asylum Lunatics, and we came here to blow some minds!"
Jane strolled onto the stage casually as her brother took over the mic. Today was the day. Today was the day they would turn Gotham crazy. The day they would kill their brother. Jane was shaking with excitement. It would truly be a perfect day. She stood behind Jerome as he kept up with his announcement. "Sorry to interrupt your little show. But you are going to love this next one."
Jane stood, ready to gesture dramatically with each guest.
"Introducing! Mayor Pritchard, Commissioner Reynolds, Archbishop McGregor, and this lady, whoever she is!" The crowd gasped and mumbling could be heard clearly. Jane smiled wider, loving the sudden thrill.
With the help of their lovely followers, explosive chokers were tied to each of their wonderful guest's necks, just begging to be exploded. Jane hoped Jerome would let her chose but she knew he wouldn't. All she really wanted anyways was for Jeremiah could get here so she could poke her fun and torment him.
Jerome continued, "Now, as you can see, we're still waiting for two guests of honor." Jane dramatically gestured towards the two. She knew one was for their brother but she couldn't think who the second one was for. "But in the meantime, let's go over the rules of tonight's entertainment, shall we?" Jerome paused. "Dynamite." He held up the remote. "Trigger. I don't get what I want, boom. Headless people."
The crowd continued to gasp and react, feeding into the sibling's egos, more specifically Jerome's.
"And if any of you are thinking of going anywhere, you'll die too. Now! The one man who can get me what I want." Jerome grabbed the cameraman closer to him. "Gordon! Calling Captain James Gordon."
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It was Jane who first noticed Gordon arrive with a couple of cop cars following him. She ran up to the microphone. "Well look who finally showed up!" Jerome signaled the music to stop. "James Gordon! Finally. We've been waiting on you."
"Jane Valeska." Gordon's voice was heavy. "I hoped you wouldn't end up like your brother."
Jane's smile didn't crack in the slightest. "You're the one who locked me back up with him. This is all on you, Jimmy. Besides-" She looked down at her new self and twirled. "I like this new me."
Jerome took the microphone from his sister and spoke to Gordon. "Well, hello! James Gordon is officially in the house."
Gordon changed his attention to him. "I'm not talking to you until I can get up there and check on the well-being of your hostages."
Jane rolled her eyes. What is up with all the dramatics?
"First of all, Jim, you're late," Jerome told him. "Secondly, I think I'm the one who should be making demands." He held up the remote. "Don't you?"
James stepped forward. "What you're doing is an act of terror, Valeska. Ask our mayor what this city's policy is on negotiating with terrorists."
Jane laughed loudly. "Jimmy old pal, could you get anymore dramatic? I mean seriously, I can't take you seriously."
Jerome frowned playfully. "Terrorists. Frankly, I'm offended." He caught James starting to slowly move closer to the stage. "No, no, no! That's close enough, Gordon." Bridget, who had been standing along with them, unleashed her fire into the air, making people move back and duck. "And none of you go anywhere, either."
Jane turned to the drummer and signaled him to start.
"Dead man's trigger." Jerome held up the remote once again. "This falls out of my hand for any reason, and.... Bang!" The drummer hit his drum hard to make the crowd gasp. Jerome gestured to the chairs again. "I got two empty chairs here. You haven't even asked me who they're for yet."
"Alright, I'll bite," James replied. "Who are they for?"
"No, Jim!" Jane replied enthusiastically. "Guess. Use those detective skills."
James thought for a moment. "Jeremiah, your brother."
"Bingo," Jerome replied. "That's one."
"And the other?"
Jane was curious about this as well. Jerome didn't mention anyone else.
Jerome shrugged. "Well, the only other irksome do-gooder who's ever spoiled my fun in this town." There was another pause before Jerome finally announced it. "Bruce Wayne!"
Jane's heart dropped. Not again. That kid didn't deserve that. He was a good person. He didn't deserve this.
Gordon seemed to have agreed with Jane as he shook his head. "No. You can take me. I'll sit up there with one of those things around my neck, but I won't let you have him."
"Well, I don't want you, Jim," Jerome replied. His tone was playful but his face was far from it. "I want my brother, and I want Bruce. I want them now."
"Alright," Gordon replied, trying to communicate with the psychopath in front of him. "Let me get these people out of here, I'll come up there-"
Jerome's temper blew, something Jane hadn't seen in a really long time. Despite being a certified psychopath, Jerome always had a playful attitude to him, very rarely did he have an outburst. It sent chills down Jane's spine. "You are not listening to me! And that is forcing my hand." He rose the remote and tension started to build. He was going to kill someone here and now. The only question was who would be his victim. It all happened so fast as he clicked the button and the signal on the Commissioner's choker went off. In a matter of seconds, the man exploded. The crowd screamed.
A moment later, Jerome spoke. "Bring me my brother. Bring me Wayne. Bring them now."
Jane's heart started accelerating. She couldn't let Jerome hurt Bruce. But after all of this time, Jeremiah was finally going to get what he deserved. Would she sacrifice her overdue revenge on his lifetime abuser just to save a friend? Or would she watch as the two were killed while she did nothing?
ahhhhh!! so crazy! i can't believe it's almost happening. we are so close for you know what to happen.
what do you guys think jane is going to do? i'm very interested in reading some of yall's theories!
please comment!
i'll see you all on monday for another update!