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chapter fourteen ━ bloodshed and tears

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❝ her safe haven ❞

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NO MATTER HOW many times she attempted in doing so, Skylar always landed in the wrong place on the ground. The homeless people kept staring with emotionless expressions like this was the only source of entertainment they had, and yet they looked like an elderly person who saw no point to life anymore. When she made the comment, Selina had snickered in agreement, casting glances at them. By the fifth time she fell, one of them chuckled and Skylar turned to give them the finger with a sarcastic smile.

She hadn't a clue why she agreed to it. Perhaps it was just her trying to grow stronger and tougher in order to live in Gotham and survive. Selina had been teaching her how to get from the top of a building to the ground with ease. The next lesson was how to do that without making any noise. And lesson after that was how to get into people's homes without them hearing or noticing you. The only thing she actually looked forward to was tracking people and how to find someone if you needed to find them. Skylar didn't even though why the thought of being able to find people intrigued her.

Jerome had been on her mind nearly every second of every day she didn't visit him. That was just the thing. She couldn't visit him. Jim had instructed the director to not allow her to see him anymore because he didn't want her to become what her brother was. Apparently being mentally insane was contagious and he assumed she'd catch it. Unbeknownst to Skylar, Jerome had been told that he wasn't allowed to see his sister and lost it, killing one of the guards with a plastic fork which added more years to his sentence. At this point, he might as well just be committed for life.

Skylar was upset with the news of never seeing her brother again that she up and left Barbara's loft (she was hardly home anyway) and went to live on the streets with Selina. The brunette had adopted a new sense of style which was black clothing, much like her new friend had. Together they spent all day training and Selina was happy to call it an improvement. Skylar had finally begun to get out of her shell she stayed in for most of her life.

Another fail, landing on her smack on her butt. However, she had made it to the staircase which was the farthest she had gotten without falling or tripping. There was a soft laugh and Skylar stood, spinning to the person. "Shut your━Bruce?"

The billionaire boy stood in front of her with a smile, not at all affected by her yelling at him. Skylar blushed slightly, realizing she was about to snap at him, thinking it was one of the homeless people. Selina slid off the roof, to the staircase, and next to her, smiling as well. "Better than the last hundred times. You're getting better."

When the girl cut her a glare, Bruce smiled a bit more at the fact that Skylar was becoming more comfortable with herself and Gotham. Even he could see the pain she was in the first time they met. She smiled back at him. "What's up?"

He cleared his throat before growing serious and replying, "Reggie Payne, the man who stabbed Alfred, he's in Gotham." It was awfully cold out so there was a fire burning behind them in a trash can. Bruce's words came out in short wintery breaths, his hands digging into his pockets.

Selina nodded in understanding. "And you need our help to find him. Okay." Skylar smiled to herself when she said our help. In a way, it was hard for her to believe that such a thing would happen to her. She grew up thinking that the only person that would actually care was Jerome. And now looking around her, the number had increased from the lonely number one. Though it did frighten her because it showed that she had more to lose, the idea of having someone made her happy.

Bruce searched through his pocket as he talked to them. "Alfred said he'd be at a gun range for a few days, but I checked every single one in the city." He got out a slip of paper and handed it to Skylar. "Nothing."

The two females examined it, reading the list. Skylar's eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. Voicing her thoughts, she said, "Why would anyone stay at a gun range for days? That doesn't make any sense." She looked up at Bruce to see him looking perplexed as well. Selina agreed with her, nodding and saying so. It didn't match up. If Reggie was that desperate as to almost kill one of his friends, he wouldn't be in Gotham still and if he was, it must not be a good and clean place.

"That's what he said," Bruce told them, his nose turning red from the cold. "Said Reggie'd be at a shooting gallery."

When he said that, they both laughed, grinning at each other. Skylar was taught the terms of what certain places in Gotham were called. And when Selina did tell her, there were a ton of questions she had because Jerome always kept her mind away from things like drugs, alcohol, and other "adult things" he used to say. But then again he did smoke for a little bit.

Selina looked back at Bruce. "That's not the same as a gun range, silly." He looked confused, glancing at them both. He didn't get what they were saying at all.

"Do you ever go out of the mansion?" Skylar teased, making him smile a little. Selina laughed, starting to walk off in the direction. "Come on, Bruce." He followed after her, staying by her side and taking in her new appearance.

"I like the new style." She looked over at him with a frown. "The clothes, I mean. I think black suits you."

Understanding what he was saying, she smiled shyly. "Thanks. Selina said the same thing." She shrugged, letting her jacket lift up then back down. "I feel more comfortable. I know it sounds weird."

Bruce shook his head. "It's not weird at all. If wearing black makes you feel more satisfied, then wear black. Besides, it looks really nice on you." The look on her face gave away that she was surprised by his compliment━if that's even what it was. She wasn't used to people saying stuff like that. Barbara told her she was pretty, as did Jim. But for some reason, him saying that she looked nice made her feel relaxed. Perhaps she was pretty after all.

"How's Alfred?" she asked, jumping over a puddle swiftly. Her movements were quieter that Bruce could hardly hear her own steps. She carried herself confidently like she was proud of who she was and was certain of the direction she was heading in.

The boy followed her movements. "Better. He tried to get up earlier but ripped his stitches. I made him lay down so hopefully he won't get up and wander around." Alfred wanted to get up and return to his daily routine of making sure Bruce had everything he needed. Because of it, a few stitches ripped and Bruce ordered him back to bed.

Selina turned a corner, stopping at a doorway and waited for them to catch up. Skylar nodded with a relieved sigh. "That's good. He was lucky." Selina pushed open the door and they entered. A flight of stairs was the first thing they saw and they went up it, entering an empty warehouse with more homeless people.

Another fire was going, several people huddled by it while others lied in corners with dirty blankets and ragged cloths for clothes. Candles were lit to illuminate the dim area which only had a few windows. Numerous of them were asleep, empty bottles surrounding them. Bruce grabbed her arm suddenly, making the girl stop.

He looked off and pointed. "Hey. That's him." They followed his line of sight and approached Reggie. They stood next to him and Bruce bit his lip, watching cautiously as Selina kicked him in the back to wake him up.

Reggie grunted but didn't get. Selina kicked him again and this time he reacted, grunting again and holding a bottle of alcohol. She rolled her eyes. "Relax, old man. We're not gonna rob you."

Skylar scoffed. "Well, it isn't like he has anything anyway. Just some tears in a bottle of whiskey and a ton self-loathing." Selina smiled slightly. Reggie looked at the three of them in shock, trying to adjust his eyes as he blinked away the haziness. He didn't bother to snap back at the girl he realized was Jerome Valeska's sister.

"What are you doing here?" The question was aimed towards Bruce who tried to stay calm despite being in the same room as the man who nearly killed the only family he had left.

Bruce walked forward. "Came to talk to you." When he questioned him as to who Selina was, the boy shrugged him off. "Never mind. Who sent you to my house?"

The sound of a can being knocked over sounded behind them but none of them turned. Reggie was clearly drunk for he wasn't speaking clearly and was looking around in a daze. "Who sent me? Just go home... go on, Bruce. You'll be in more trouble than you are already." Skylar rolled her eyes and swiped his bag that she assumed were full of pills, possibly drugs. "Hey! That's my medicine! Give me that!"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "It isn't polite to ignore people's questions." She backed up from him so he couldn't grab her. It was then that she saw his bloodshot eyes. He asked for it back and she glared fiercely, not at all fearful of this man. Selina gave her a nod and Skylar listened, going over to an open window and ignoring his calls.

Bruce snapped at Reggie. "Answer the question!"

"Answer the question old man before my friend drops your precious medicine out the window," Selina threatened.

He nodded, his eyes wide with concern. Skylar watched them from the window. Reggie looked at Bruce, still holding out his hand toward the brunette. "I didn't mean any harm. I was just supposed to take some documents. But Alfred walked in... Is he all right? Is he?"

Skylar let out another scoff, shaking her head in disbelief. This man was the type of person her brother warned her about. All they wanted was the money and they'd do anything. That's the reason Lila did what she did. She wanted money to spend on herself rather than her own kids who were surviving off of money the eldest stole. If Reggie got money for stealing the paperwork, that must of meant he spent it all already which wouldn't make sense but she didn't bother thinking about it for too long.

Bruce was offended by the question, thinking back to when he found Alfred lying in a pool of his own blood and thinking he was dead. "Is he?" The memory was blinked away. "You stabbed him. What do you care?"

"I care! He's all right, isn't he?" Reggie questioned.

Her newfound friend managed to keep his emotionless mask on despite all of the raging emotions inside of him. Skylar figured that that was just who Bruce was. He was a calm person even though everything going on in his brain and instincts said otherwise. He sighed. "Who sent you?" Reggie sent a glance to Skylar. "Throw them out!" She let her grip loosen and the man screamed out. "Tell me who sent you! Who sent you?"

Tears filled Reggie's eyes. "You shouldn't be doing this, Bruce. Only Alfie can deal with these people." Bruce asked him what he was talking about he recently explained, "There's a woman named Mathis and a guy called Bunderslaw. Sid Bunderslaw... He's the guy I dealt with. But you've got, you've got to let Alfie take care of this. Not you, Bruce. It's not business for a child."

Skylar swung the bag back and forth in her hand, making the man look worried again, watching it. Bruce kept his hands in his pocket, staring at Reggie. "This man Bunderslaw... what did he want?"

"Just to know what you knew. To see how far your investigation had gone. But he was scared. And that's why he sent me." He nodded repeatedly. "Now, can I have my bag back, please? Please?"

Bruce looked back at Skylar as Reggie stood up, hobbling over to her. She held it out the window still. When he was close to her, she looked straight into his eyes and let go. The bag fell into the box below the window in arms reach. Reggie's eyes grew wild with anger. Bruce stood behind him, now looking upset himself. "You. You're a sick man, Mr. Payne. You need help."

He turned to him, glaring. "Don't you patronize me. I may have vices, yeah, but I'm a professional. You want me to tell Bunderslaw that you're onto him? You want me to tell him that Bruce Wayne is working with Jerome Valeska sister?" Skylar began to look frightened. Because now he was beginning to scare her. "Because he'll come after you. And he'll throw her-" he pointed to Skylar "-in Arkham with her brother. And there's nothing that you can do to stop him! You're just silly little children. I'm gonna tell on you."

Selina's eye was twitching with rage, seeing the effect the threat had on the broken girl. She had spent days━no━weeks with Skylar. All the brunette wanted was someone to care about her and Selina knew how that felt. They were friends, really good friends and Selina felt a sense of wanting to protect Skylar. And that's why when Reggie went to the window, seeing his bag and reaching for it, she walked forward and growled: "No you won't!"

With one motion, Reggie was pushed out of the window, screaming and falling toward the ground. He hit the ground with a smack, the yelling ceasing. A ringing filled Skylar's ears as the air in her lungs escaped her. She gasped frozen in her spot. Selina turned to see both Skylar and Bruce shocked, looking horrified. The girl quickly walked away, leaving the two standing there.

They went toward the window together, looking out and over to see Reggie's body, blood pooling out of his head and onto the ground. Skylar reeled back, suddenly feeling sick and running to an empty box. Bruce's eyes were practically glued to the body. The girl behind him ran off without a goodbye, tears stinging her eyes and falling. She grabbed a dirty cloth on the way out and wiped it on her mouth, not caring if it left a black mark.

It didn't matter that it was dark out. It didn't matter that wandering the streets all alone in Gotham sent shivers of fear up her spine. She could feel her body going into panic mode and the alone thing her mind was set on was the one person who ever made her feel calm.

Arkham Asylum stood out against the night, blocking out the stars on the horizon. The lights on the roof shined brightly and the night guards patrolled the grounds to make sure no one left. No one was at the gate so she peeked her head through, calling to one of the night guards. He spun to her and sighed, walking over. "Visiting hours are way over. Do you need to call someone?"

She shook her head, pressing her hands down on her pants. "No-no. Just please, I need to see someone. Pl-please." He gave her a stern look and was about to argue when the tears fell even harder. "Look, call my dad, Jim Gordon or my mom Barbara Kean but please let me see my brother, please!"

The guard seemed to be having an inner struggle before he nodded and opened the gate from a clicker in his pocket. Skylar wasn't aware that those were a thing but stopped thinking about it. Thinking had begun to hurt her head. Everything she had been trying to teach herself had crumbled as she thanked the guard and ran to the front door with the key he gave her. All of the improvement she had fallen apart as she ran through the halls, searching desperately for Jerome.

No one was in the halls besides more guards. One stopped her, looking concerned. But she pushed them away and continued running. She felt the tears turn hot, burning her face from desperation. She needed Jerome. She needed to be in his arms because that was the only thing that ever made her feel safe. Screw what everyone said about him. He cared about her still. Skylar didn't care if he killed everyone in Gotham. Jerome was the only thing she needed to survive. Oxygen, food, water, and other necessities didn't even cross her mind.

Jerome had been laying his head against the wall behind his bed, staring at the wall in front of him with a blank stare. He could almost feel Skylar searching for him. She needed him and he was stuck in this cell. But he cursed his brain full of voices for every making him think such a thing. Skylar was safe, she was fine. Not with him, but she was okay.

When he heard a guard shout, he looked towards the bars with a bored expression. All of the other inmates were fast asleep and probably wouldn't wake up even if an explosion happened right outside their window. Then he heard fast breathing and cries. Instantly, he shot up, running to his cell bars and looking out down the hallway.

The most unbelievable sight was just down the hall. Skylar sat on the ground, sobbing in agony. He reached his hand out, calling out to her quietly but enough for her to hear. It didn't matter how she got into Arkham this late at night. She was here. His sister looked up, hope in her eyes. She saw him and jumped up, running toward his cell.

Jerome grabbed her hand, tears flowing down his cheeks, matching with hers. She whimpered, sobbing and clinging to his arm through the bar. "Sky, it's okay. I'm here, I'm here. You're okay." No warmth filled her body because she wasn't in his arms and was wanted to be. And he knew.

A guard turned the corner and saw them, Jim following behind. The instant Skylar had left the nightguard side, he was called and luckily was driving so all he had to do with change route and speed up. Jim nodded to the guard gratefully, leaving him alone with the passed out inmates and the Valeska siblings.

He walked towards them, wincing at his daughter's crying as he saw her trying to pull Jerome closer to her. The key in his hand weighed much heavier than it should've. It was the guilt eating away at him for making Skylar feel this much pain. He had been there for every single break down and panic attack she had, but this was by far the worse.

The red-headed brother looked up at him seeing the key in his hand. Jim took a deep breath and then unlocked the cell. Skylar scooted back and the moment she was able to fit through the open door, she lunged and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head in the crook of it. Her breathing came up in short hiccups, the tears already making their way on Jerome's skin.

"Sh, Sky. You're okay. I'm here. I'm here, baby. You're okay." He kept whispering reassuring things to her to help calm her nerves. Jim just stood at the door, looking away with guilt swarming his eyes.

Just within five minutes, Skylar's breathing calmed down and her tears stopped. Jerome rubbed her back softly, pressing kisses to the top of her head like he used to when they were younger. Yes, he did dream of torturing and killing. But his sister came first before any of that. He would make Gotham his kingdom all for her. He would get out of this prison for her. She began to fall asleep in his arms as they both just sat on the cold floor. Jim couldn't bring himself to break them apart. However, he knew he had to do something at some point.

But for right now, the detective let the two siblings embrace each other. Jerome looked up at Jim and then down at his sister who had opened her eyes to look at him. She sniffled, pressing her head further into his neck. "No," she began to say, shaking her head. "I don't want to leave you."

He smoothed down her hair. "I know. But you have to go." She shook her head in protest. "Skylar. You have to go." Jerome put his lips next to her ear so Jim couldn't hear what he was saying. "I'll always be with you, okay? I'll find a way to get back to you. I promise."

Skylar had forced herself out of his hold and forced herself to follow Jim out of Arkham, giving her brother one last hug before tearfully walking away. Despite everything she worked hard for falling apart the second she saw Reggie's dead body, all of that reformed into something stronger when Jerome uttered that promise.

Barbara was not home when Jim dropped her off. Skylar told him that Selina would be there so she wouldn't be alone for long. It was a lie because both Selina and Ivy had left the day before. But Jim left anyway, believing the lie. And when he was gone, the girl wandered outside to the balcony and looked out at the streets of Gotham

She closed her eyes, letting the breeze roll past her and then took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, Skylar looked over to see Selina stand near her. If it weren't for the training, the brunette would've never heard her. But she did.

"Look, Sky, I'm sorry about-"

"It's fine." Selina looked surprised. Skylar nodded. "It's fine. You did what you had to do and I accept that." They were both quiet when she spoke again. "Would you like to stay for tonight? My mom's out again."

Her friend nodded, smiling slightly, looking relieved. "Yeah. That'd be nice." Skylar smiled back and led her inside, closing and locking the door. They went up to her bedroom and Skylar put a pillow and a blanket on the foot of her bed so Selina could sleep on a comfortable surface.

They both had gotten dressed in better clothes (Skylar gave her some to use) and laid down, exchanging goodnights and closing their eyes. The two of them have had and would have their fair share of relationships gone wrong. But one thing was set in stone the moment Skylar forgave Selina. The two of them were in this together until the end. They were friends and later would become like sisters. Skylar had befriended yet another important person in Gotham.

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This chapter has got me feeling so many things like??? Why do I do this to myself? Can I get to season two any quicker? Breaking up Skylar and Jerome in Arkham broke my heart. I'm seriously ready for some bonding between the two in the next season. I'm just not ready for the heartbreak. What do you think of Selina saving not only Bruce but Skylar? What did you think about Skylar's reaction + her visiting Jerome? What do you think about Selina and Skylar's future as teased in the last paragraph?

I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!