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chapter twenty-one ━ desperado, run with me

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❝ nothing here for me ❞

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OSWALD WASN'T TOO thrilled with the impact the ginger manic had made the night of his death. But he wasn't completely heartless in the sense that when Skylar came back, looking dead, he was quick to help her by ordering someone to bring her a glass of water and asking if she needed to call anyone. She didn't even respond. Barbara was too caught up with Theo's plan that when her daughter walked right out the front door, no one saw her. Cat wasn't there so she only assumed that she was in the streets somewhere. So she was alone, lying in the guest bedroom on her back, her eyes trained on the ceiling.

Theo killed Jerome, her brother, her best friend. Barbara had the audacity to stay with him. Jim hadn't apologized because he was worried about Bruce. Bruce was in too much of a shock that she didn't bother sticking around to talk to him. Would he even want to? So she was alone in that room, the air thick as she breathed heavily, not a single tear on her face. It was almost as if she were waiting to wake up. Was this a nightmare? It had to be, he couldn't be dead. He was alive. He had to be.

After lying there for a good three hours, something triggered and Skylar gasped, the realization hitting her. She stood up shakily and moved to the wooden floor. But her body couldn't hold her so she fell to the ground. And then, and only then did she finally react. Oswald heard the scream of anguish that came from the bedroom. Everyone who was in the meeting looked at each other, none of them understanding. The King of Gotham sighed and put them back on track.

Skylar sobbed loudly, hitting the floor with her hands as she moved to lie down. It was all because of Theo. Theo Galavan. The name repeated in her head over and over again. But you see, this was the only time the Valeska cried for her brother. After the tears were gone again, instead of numbness following, she was filled with anger at the man who killed Jerome. She was going to bring him down. And then she recalled Tabitha's words. This was her spark and she was going to use it and burn Theo to the ground.

Oswald would love the information considering that he was the King of Gotham, not Galavan. Skylar wiped her tears and stood up, walking out of the room with a new aura. No longer would she let people walk all over her. The time for that was over. Skylar Gordon was dead. Skylar Valeska was alive. The male looked up at her when she entered, seeing her coming toward him. All of his visitors had left, the meeting long over. "Skylar-"

"Theo Galavan orchestrated the Arkham break out. He assisted in letting them free and let them stay at his fancy loft where he told them what to do: make headlines which is exactly what Jerome did. Then one by one he picked them off so he could make way as the hero. Jerome's death was staged and Theo and his sister Tabitha were in on it. All they wanted was fame. I'll show you where they live."

He was stunned, blinking repeatedly before he stood up, leaning on his cane. "My, my, my, Miss. Gordon-"

"Valeska."

Oswald corrected himself. "Valeska. That is quite a tale indeed. But you have been through a lot today and I think that it is best if you get some rest." He gave her a gentle grin to which she glared, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You don't believe me? I just told you that Theo Galavan is trying to steal your spotlight. He needs to be taken down."

He sighed, going over to her. Oswald placed a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off. "Get some rest, little fox. Don't worry, I have everything under control. But thank you for the information. Now go and rest." He kept stressing the rest part so the brunette rolled her eyes, not replying and left the room, going back to her bedroom.

She went to her window and sat down, gazing out at the night sky of Gotham. Her fingers pressed against the glass, her blunt nail tapping. What was she meant to do now? What was left in her life now? Because her entire life was based around Jerome and being raised with him and then longing for him. Now he's gone. Gone. Who would understand her like he did? Barbara still sided with Galavan, Bruce probably didn't want to see her again, Jim was too busy with work, Oswald was running a city, Ed was busy with his own job as well. The only person was Selina.

After a few minutes, Skylar caught sight of Oswald getting into a car, Tabitha with him. She shook her head, standing up and closing the curtains roughly. The teen exited the room, getting out the knife she kept on her. The streets were filled with people so it was easy for her to grab a wallet from a passing man who looked to be middle class. Only this time, she held no remorse as she stole from most of the people passing by.

Her phone rang and she sighed in annoyance, pushing herself into an alleyway. She withdrew the device from her pocket and answered. "What Oswald? I'm kinda busy."

"I hate to say it but you were right." Skylar smirked as she twisted a credit card in her hand. "They have my mother and they will continue holding her hostage unless I kill Galavan's competition. So what do you say, fox? Want to help me out?"

"Depends," she replied smoothly. "Do you apologize about how you treated me earlier today? You did make me rather upset."

Oswald was silent on the other line before he exclaimed, "Fine! I'm sorry now will you help me or not?"

Skylar laughed a bit. "Of course, Ozzie." She hung up the phone and then disappeared into the shadows of the alleyway. Every word she spoke, every step she took, every expression she made only contributed to the fact that the girl had changed. It was truly funny how one event could make a person act entirely different. Jerome's death was her trigger, her spark and now she fitted in with the crime bosses of Gotham.

---

Getting the locations of each candidate was simple enough. Oswald was quite happy when she presented them to him the next afternoon. He left with Butch to fulfill his task which left her in the empty halls. Skylar decided that she would visit the person whom she didn't think wanted to see her. Bruce's private school was also easy to find. The female climbed up on the stone wall, sitting down and daggling her legs over the edge.

Alfred was there waiting and turned at hearing the sound. Skylar rolled her eyes at the sight of him. "Are you waiting for someone?" he asked her. She stood up and jumped off the ledge, approaching him.

"I came here to talk to Bruce."

"Why? So you could finish the job your brother failed to complete?"

Her jaw clenched, glaring at him with distaste. "I'm not Jerome. Besides, Bruce is my friend, I'd never hurt him."

The butler wasn't having it, not believing a single word she said. "With all due respect Miss Gordon, I'm certain that his life's gonna be a damn sight better without you in it."

Skylar visibly flinched at the words, her eyes widen in shock while her breath caught in her throat. The tears appeared and she bit the inside of her cheek. "You know, blood doesn't mean anything. Jerome was my brother, yeah, and I loved him. But just because I did doesn't mean that I'm like him. So fine, take away Bruce's only friend. Wait till he finds out." The brunette turned on her heel and jumped up the ledge and went over it without waiting for a response.

---

Blending in as a street kid was simple as well. Skylar had sat there until Selina found her, the brunette drowning her silent tears that didn't seem to stop. Cat knew about Jerome, not about Alfred. Once she told her, her friend was fuming. "Don't listen to him, Sky. He's just a stupid butler."

And yet his words affected her, it was clear to tell. Alfred knew that he had upset her and she was pissed thinking about it. She was meant to make it so no one knew they hurt her. What a fabulous job she was doing so far.

So it was just the two of them in the bad part of town, sitting there as fellow street kids passed by, random cats meowing at them before walking away, and water from the recent rain draining out into the road. The sky was bright, no clouds in sight. The sun was happy. And it pissed her off.

How could she convince the city of Gotham that she wasn't like her brother? Would it even matter? Was she even meant to be there anymore? All she had now was Selina, her best friend. No one stayed for the aftermath of Jerome's death. No one seemed to care. Because the ginger was just another crazy, another psychopath, another killer. This was nothing new for the city.

Skylar looked over at Selina. "What do we do now?"

A thoughtful look crossed over the girl's face as she thought of a response. "I don't know. But what I do know? We are going to prove that Alfred is wrong about you."

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"I could've told you that to begin with," Skylar pointed out with her arms crossed over her chest as she stood in front of Oswald. "Galavan isn't to be trusted. I guarantee that the second we expose him or try to, he'll kill your mother. Don't you see what he did? He set you up so the GCPD would chase after you so he could become Mayor."

The Penguin stood up fast, slapping the table with his hand. "I'm aware, Skylar thank you for pointing out our disadvantage."

She had come back to hear the news of Jim's threat. The GCPD was aware of him killing the nominees in the election. And now they were after him, a new Captain leading the tea of cops. So now they were cornered. If it were anyone else, the teen would've left them to burn in the flames. But this was Oswald Cobblepott, someone who gave her a place to stay and had yet to leave her behind.

"We'll think of something. Like Selina told me before, we can't let Galavan see that he has shot us down. We will take him down and destroy everything he built, mark my words. The only question is if you are ready to fight."

He sat back down, a bottle of alcohol in his hands. He sighed, looking dejected at their stance at the moment. They were getting beaten. "I appreciate the words of encouragement. But I'm afraid that with my mother at risk this fight won't involve much fight from our side."

Skylar nodded, smirking slightly. "Yes well who said you had to launch an attack? I have my own personal vendetta against Galvan. If I were to do something, he'll blame me, not you. He doesn't know that I am here, neither does Tabitha."

The male got what she was saying and matched her smirk. "You are a different kind of wicked, Miss Valeska."

She smiled innocently with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Don't worry Oswald, we'll win." She left the room and called Selina who answered almost instantly. "Hey Cat, what do you say about getting some revenge against Galavan. I was thinking about that little niece of his, Silver was it?"

Her friend was quick to mention what she said earlier. "If you do this, Alfred won't be convinced."

"Well screw what that Butler said! He doesn't control me. And if he thinks he can keep Bruce and I being friends than he is mistaken. No one messes with me, not anymore. So, you up for it or not?" Selina agreed, her smile nearly heard on the other side of the line.

Silver St. Cloud was splashing in the fountain at a posh restaurant, looking innocent as could be when the partners in crime arrived. Cat scoffed in amusement when she saw the younger girl glare at a bypassing man before spreading that smile back on. She was definitely two-faced. Skylar walked out and went by her, swiftly using her leg to push the girl into the water.

A scream emitted from her and before anyone got the chance to turn around to see what had happened, the brunette was hiding in a tree, watching as people raced over to help her. Silver yelled out in anger, looking down at her soaking wet dress. Skylar smirked with delight, catching Cat's eyes from across the courtyard.

Oh yeah, Skylar Gordon was dead alright.

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Skylar is different now and I am so freaking excited to get to the end of season two because something big happens. This was a shorter chapter but the next should be longer since it is with Bridget! But anyways, let me know your thoughts on the changed Skylar. What do you think of Skylar's change in personality? Did you expect it?

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!