Zachary POV

After Desdemona was released from the hospital, We drove straight home in silence. She wouldn't look me in the eyes. When we arrived home, she looked up at me her eyes filled with tears. "This was all me fault. You wouldn't habe neba been awwested if Me hadn't gotten huwt. Shall Me go get the belt?"

"No." I replied.

"Me don't undastand. Me desewbe to be punished."

"No, little one, you don't. You did nothing wrong. Now go get ready for bed."

"Wes Daddy." My precious flower replied quick to obey my request.

Jerome POV

Many things happened after I was arrested and placed in Arkham asylum for murdering that good for nothing whore, who had the audacity to call herself my mother. Some mother always allowing her lovers to beat me and sometimes joining in herself. Anyhow, that's all in the past. I could careless. I'm not going to waste time giving you the sob story that is my life.

I will however, give you a few highlights. While in Arkham, I learned that I had the ability to manipulate people by saying just the right words. During my time in Arkham I and group of other inmates were brought to a man named Theo Galavan's home.

I had a conflict with one of the other inmates over a saber. This inmate mistakenly thought that he was the boss. Theo decided to test us to see which of us were crazy enough to be the leader of this new family. After playing Russian rulett with a gun I wound up proving that I was indeed the boss. Why? Because I wasn't afraid of anything.

Skip a few years, and now I'm dead. How? Theo stabbed me in the back. Well figuratively anyway. Actually, he stabbed me in the neck and I bled to death. As I lay dying he whispered to me "I am so sorry Jerome. I know this isn't how we rehearsed this. You have real talent. You see the plot thickens. Now enters the Hero." Well, at least I died with a smile on my face.

Desdemona POV

I was watching the news and I saw Jerome and Quinn. I hadn't seen them in years. Not since daddy had brought us to Gotham. When the police informed daddy that Jerome had murdered his sister, the truth was, I was glad that she had finally gotten punished for being such a cruel lady.

Anyway, back to the live show Jerome was holding a knife to Bruce's neck as he dragged him closer to the stage. The police tried to shoot Jerome but missed. I smiled I didn't want him to get hurt. He was, after all, family.

"I don't have a clean shot." I heard the detective tell the butler. I smiled and let out a small giggle. They couldn't kill my brother without hurting Gotham's golden boy.

"It seems we are in a pickle." Jerome said then he said something to Bruce. "What do you say Bruce? Shall we boost our ratings?"

"Enough!" Jerome turned to see Theo standing there with a frown on his face. "I said enough!" Then in a split second he took a knife and stabbed Jerome in the neck.

I stood there in shock as I watched him fall to the ground. My eyes filling with tears. "Why? Why?." After a few minutes I broke down into sobs. Several customers looked over at me in concern.

"Are you alright little one?" I shook my head no. "Did that report on the news upset you?" One of the guests asked me and I whimpered but eventually nodded in reply.

"Excuse me sir, could you do something about that child? She's making a racket and it's disturbing my meal." A customer complained.

" Desdemona Rosealynn Catrina Tina Marie Trumble! What have I told you about bothering the patrons?" I heard my father's stern voice called to me.

I instantly began to whimper knowing that I was in trouble. His tone of voice meant only one thing, I'd be getting punished after he closed the diner for the night.

I sniffled and replied "Me sowwy. Me didn't mean to bothea you." I replied trying hard to stop crying. As I headed towards the back however, I found myself pulled into a lady's arms.

"Shhh. It's alright honey, there's nothing wrong with crying. That guy is being an insensitive jerk!" The lady said pulling me into an embrace while yelling at the man who had complained.

"The Kid needs to learn to stop being such a cry baby." The man muttered.

"She just witnessed a young boy being stabbed to death on live television, She has every right to be upset." The woman replied hugging me closer.

"I came here to have a nice quiet meal not to be scolded by some blond bimbo. If this is the way this establishment is run, then I won't be returning." The man said placing his money on the counter and walking out.

I heard my My father growl in irritation and I gulped. "Desdemona Rosealynn Catrina Tina Marie Trumble, I'd like to See you in the kitchen, NOW!" He said glaring at me angrily.

"Uh-oh." I grumble I knew that I would be in for a beating later.

"Are you alright child? Your trembling."

"Me is ok. It's just, Daddy doesn't like it when Me upset customas now he's angwy wifth me. Me best get going, daddy doesn't like it when Me don't do as Me is told."

"Desdemona Rosealynn Catrina Tina Marie Trumble, what is taking you so long?" I heard daddy growl.

"Me sowwy, Me coming."

"I don't want to hear it young lady. You know the consequences of bothering the guests."

"Excuse me sir, but she wasn't bothering anyone. That man was being completely unreasonable. Don't you agree?" The lady asked turning to rest of the guests. A few of the guests hid behind their menus not wanting to get involved while others nodded in agreement. "She doesn't deserve to be punished."

"Look lady, I appreciate your concern, but my daughter broke the rules and she will pay the penalty. I don't appreciate your interface in how I deal with my daughter. I think you should leave. In fact, everyone get out. I'm closing up for the night."

My eyes went wide when I heard daddy telling the customers that he was closing. Daddy never closed the diner early. "Uh-oh. Me is in big twoubwe." I whimpered as I hid behind the counter.

A little while later, Daddy came trudging into the kitchen a bottle of beer in one hand and his belt in the other. He chuckled as he saw me begin to tremble upon his approach.

I whimpered and looked up at him pleadingly. "Me sowwy. Me didn't mean to upset that man."

Daddy held up his hand to silence me. "I don't want to hear it Desdemona. You know you deserve this. However, since most of the guests seem to agreed with the lady, I won't use the belt for now." He chuckled in satisfaction at the look of confusion on my face. "Oh don't worry Desdemona. I have a much better punishment in store."

"Daddy?"

"Congratulations, you get to spend the night cleaning the diner. I want this place shining like the top of Wayne Tower by the time I return. And if it isn't then, I'll take my belt to your backside until it shines like the top of Wayne Tower instead. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Daddy." I replied.

"Good! I'll be home by 11:00-11:30. You have until then to make this place sparkling." With that, he walked out of the diner slamming the door shut behind him.

I groaned as I looked at the diner. There was gum stuck under the tables, dirty dishes littered the kitchen and the floor was covered in dirt and grime. As I swept the floor I wished that someone would come and take me away from this place. Life with daddy was anything but a walk in the park. I often found myself wondering if he would tire of me and sell me.

As I cleaned I sang a few of my favorite Disney and broadway songs to pass the time. Muppet Treasure Island something better, A hard knock life from Annie, A spoon full of sugar from Mary Poppins, Hi-Ho, I'm wishing, whistle while you work from Snow White, the Work Song from Cinderella and also a dream is a wish your heart makes.

As I cleaned the diner I spotted daddy's belt. I sat there looking at it trying to decide what to do with it. I could put it away where it belongs, I could leave it where I found it or I could hide it. Despite my conscience trying to warn me the third option was a bad idea I chose to go with it anyway.

About two hours later, I had just finished the dishes and cleaning all the tables when I heard the sound of the key in the lock.

"Oh-no." I groaned. Daddy was back earlier then expected and I wasn't finished my assigned work. There was still quite a lot to be done.

"Well well well. What do we have here? Not don't yet?" I heard daddy ask with a sadistic chuckle. I could tell by his chuckle and the way he was walking that he was drunk. Which meant only one thing his date hadn't gone very well.

"Me sowwy. You said you'd be back at 11:30. Me thought me had mowa time." I replied looking down at the floor in shame.

"Obviously. It looks like you barely did anything. Tell me my dear Desdemona, what did I tell you would happen if you weren't done by the time I returned?"

"You'd spank me." I replied.

At this, daddy chuckled sadistically. His eyes sparkling in amusement. "I believe I specifically said that if you weren't finished by the time I returned that I'd make your back shine like the top of Wayne Tower. Did I not?"

"Yes daddy." Daddy looks around for his belt and noticing that it's not where he left it or where it belongs he turns to face me his gaze stern.

"Desdemona, I know you've hidden my belt from me. There will be very serious consequences if you don't give it to me."

"I... I don't know what your talking about daddy. I haven't seen your belt..."

"Wrong answer babygirl. You'd better go find it. You have until I reach the count of three and if it's not in my hands by then you won't like what happens."

I sighed and rush to get the belt placing in his hands just as he reached three. His eyes shone in amusement. "See. I knew you could find it. Now, about your punishment..."

"Remember, I hate having to do this, but you've left me no choice. I lost money tonight because of you. You deserve this and you know it." Daddy told me as he hit me with his belt. me. My shoulders back and legs were as red as a tomato and tears were streaming down my face. I had tried so hard not to cry but I couldn't help it.

"Me sowwy." I replied as I hiccuped and fought back a sob. "Me sowwy."

"Shhh. All is forgiven. I want you to know that I only punish you because I love you. You know that right?"

"Wes daddy."

Daddy sighs and picks me up in his arms. "It's late, it's time all good little girls were in bed."

I winced at he picked me up and carried me to my bedroom. Instantly daddy looked at me in shock as if he had just woken from a trance. His eyes went wide when he noticed the bruise marks beginning to form on my back. "Daddy is so sorry sweetheart."

"Me is bad. Me desewbed to be punished."

The last thing I heard before I fell asleep was daddy groaning and muttering "what have I done?"

Jerome POV

I didn't stay dead. My followers went Dr. Frankenstine on me. I awoke  to searing pain. When they thought that their plan to resurrect me had failed, someone had stolen my face. Not figuratively, they literally stolen my face. They had cut my face off my body. It didn't take me long to find it and reattach it to its proper place. Sure I looked like frankestine's monster but hay, at least I was alive. I was even crazier then before.

I learned that poor Theo had died. And while I was disappointed that I didn't get to kill him myself, I shrugged it off. Upon my encouraging the group and I went out and hijacked a school bus full of cheerleaders. We handcuffed each of the girls to their seats and then proceeded to douse them with gasoline. Their screams of terror was music to my ears. Then I got on the bus and smiled.

"Anyone got a light? Anyone? Well that's disappointing. As I turned to exit the bus I heard a very familiar voice.

"Jerome? Your alive." I heard Quinn say with a gasp.

"Obviously." One of the cheerleaders replied rolling her eyes at Quinn.

"Your not helping Mary." Quinn hissed at her.

"I didn't take you for the cheerleading type." I replied.

"I'm not. I'm just here supporting a friend. Why are you doing this? Jerome. This isn't you." Quinn said and I shrugged.

"Ahh but it is Dollface. This is real me. As for why I'm doing this? Because I can and because it's fun." I replied with a laugh. Then I got on the bus  walked over and unlocked Quinn's handcuffs. After which I dragged her off the bus. "Alright boys light her up." Unfortunately, Gorden and a large group of officers arrived and spoiled our fun. "Don't worry Dollface I'll be seeing you real soon."

I said to Quinn with a wink as I was taken into custody. I got sent back to Arkham eventually becoming in control of everything. I made friends with Jarvis Teck AKA The Mad Hatter and Jonathan Crane AAK The scarecrow to join the crew. Together we Created a group of people whom we named the Legion of Horribles.

My main goal kill Bruce Wayne for spoiling all my fun. That and of course find and punish my good for nothing twin brother who turned my entire family against me by telling lies about me. My plan was simple, I'd drive Jeremiah insane and then I'd kill him. The same went for Bruce.

"Where are you off too?" Crane asked.

"I've got some unfinished family business that needs attending too." I replied and the guys nodded in understanding.

"Ahhh. Locating and killing your brother for abandoning you and turning your family against you." Scarecrow replied going back to making a batch of his fear toxin.

"That, and finding out what that no good Uncle of mine did with my baby sister."

"You didn't tell me you had a baby sister. I'm curious are you going to seek revenge against her too?" Scarecrow asked.

I frowned. "I haven't decided yet."

"Don't you dare hurt her!" I could hear Jerome hiss at me and I chuckled.

"Calm down Jerome old boy. I was just kidding. I have no intention of hurting Our baby sis." I replied quietly in my head.

"Be careful out there Jerome. Try not to get into too much trouble." Scarecrow replied.

I smile and reply back "now where's the fun in that?"

Zachary POV

After what happened on Desdemona's first day of high school I decided that she shouldn't return.

"But why can't Me go back to school.? Desdemona asked for the millionth time giving me the cutest little pout.

I sighed in frustration "we've been over this. It's far too dangerous for you to attend high school. Or any school for that matter."

"Me want to go to school."

"What you want doesn't matter, nor does your age. Need I remind you, that you belong to me. You are what I say you are. I decided what's best for you. I call the shots. If I decided that you won't return to school, then you won't."

"The harsh reality my dear is, that the world will always see and treat you as a toddler. So you might as well get use to it. Since you've been acting like a spoiled little two year old that's exactly how I am going to treat you. Remember, being treated like my daughter is a privilege one that I could easily revoke. Is that what you want?"

"No."

"Then it's settled. From now on you are my sweet little baby, in fact, your only a year old. Since you are only a baby, you shall dress like a baby. Oh an no more cups from now on you shall drink from a bottle."

"But..."

"I don't want to hear any more arguments.  This is my final decision. I'd hate to have to punish you again. Your body hasn't healed from the last time." I said with a chuckle.

Desdemona begrudgingly agreed to dress and behave like a toddler. I smiled as I watched her from the kitchen. She was sitting at one of the tables coloring in one of the books I had bought her.

It was around noon so I decided to turn on the tv. "Residents are advised to be on the look out for the criminally  insane Jerome Valeska. He  has once again escaped from Arkham. If you see him do not I repeat do not engage. He is considered armed and dangerous. If spotted contact local authorities as soon as possible." I frowned I knew that Jerome would be coming for me.

"Sweetheart, I need you to take your things and go into my office. Lock the door behind you and do NOT under any circumstances leave that room. Listen to the radio, color, take a nap just, don't leave that room."

"Wes daddy." My precious flower replied gathering her things up without question.

Once She was in the office, I called up an old friend from my days at Haily's circus. "Hay Lughead, How would you like a free meal?"

I was right, it didn't take Jerome long to arrive at the diner. Where he held a gun to me. A few minutes after his arrival he spotted some officers heading towards the diner. So he hid under the table still holding the gun to me as the officers entered. "You sure you haven't heard from your nephew Mr. Trumble?" A female officer asked.

"That monster killed my sister. If I ever see him his screams will be what you'll be hearing." I replied which is how I truly felt.

"Just maybe give us call before thing go that far." The female cop replied with that the two officers turned and left the diner.

Desdemona POV

I know, I know, your probably wondering why I'm behaving and talking like a toddler when I'm 17. Well, the answer is simple, Daddy was right, the world would always see me as a toddler. So why not act like one? Plus, I get less beatings this way. I heard Daddy talking to some police officers and mentioning that a monster killed his sister.

Upon hearing this, I became afraid. What if this monster came after me? Would they kill me too? After the officers left, I noticed a young man crawl out from under the table daddy was sitting at. He was pointing a gun at him. I turned on the volume of the video recording to hear what they were saying.

"Jeez there's a lot of gum under here. Your lucky those flatfoot didn't check under the table Uncle Zack." Jerome said sitting up in the booth placing a thing of pre-chewed gum in his mouth. "I mean there's got to be some kind of health code violation or something." A few minutes later Jerome was snapping his fingers to the beat of the music playing from the small jukebox on the table.

He then placed a finger in one of the bowls of soup. "Too cold. Oooh too hot. Ummmm just right." He said pulling the bowl towards him. "You always could cook up a storm Unk. I remember back at the circus we use to dare each other to sneak into the chuck wagon. Steal one of your cookies or two. That reminds me of my favorite meal you ever cooked. You remember that time when you caught me trying to steal one of your snickerdoodles?"

"Ooh that soup you made that day." Jerome then used the gesture that cooks use to say the food tastes magnificent. "Mama Mia. What was the special ingredient again? That's right, it was my hand. The one you dipped in a boiling pot of chicken stock. That smell it was..." Jerome smiled "it was mouthwatering. It's almost as good as this. Ummm."

"That's a good story nephew, but aren't you curious about the soup?"

"Don't tell me it's poisoned." Jerome replies.

Daddy chuckles and I can tell by his laugh that he's up to something bad. "Not at all."

"Uh-0h." I replied as I watched the feed from the security camera in daddy'soffice. Just what was daddy up too?

"You had me worried there for a second Unk."

"I set out three bowls of soup nephew, so I'd have enough for all my guests." Daddy replied before Jerome could react Lughead had grabbed him by the throat and held him down.

"Oh no. Please don't..." I whimpered as I watched him pick up a bowl of soup and head towards the microwave.

"You remember Lughead from his days as the strongman at the circus. As soon as I heard that you had broken out of Arkham, I knew that you'd come for me. So I invited Lughead for super. The just right soup, that's for him. The cold soup that's for me. I always liked gespacho. The too hot soup, now that's for you nephew."

Daddy replied with a laugh as he placed the bowl in microwave and turn it up high. A few seconds later sparks flew from the microwave. You could see the soup boiling in the bowl.

"Oh no. Don't. Please daddy, don't." I begged daddy not to do what I knew he was going to do. But he couldn't hear me and even if he could he wouldn't have listened to me.

Daddy took the soup out of the microwave and as Lughead held Jerome tightly. Daddy brought the bowl in front of Jerome. "Here Nephew, have a tase of one of my three soups." Daddy said with a laugh as he poured the boiling hot soup down Jerome's throat.

I looked away unable to watch the horrible events that were happening right before my eyes. "My sister had the wrong idea with you. She should have tied you in a sack with a bunch of rocks and dumped you into the river."

"Let's put this creep out of his misery." Daddy said and

I glared angrily at the screen. "No!" I yelled knowing that he couldn't hear me.

Suddenly, the diner door opened and Bruce Wayne stepped inside. "What the Hell are you doing?" He demanded angrily upon seeing Jerome struggling in Lughead's grasp the hot soup still dripping down his mouth.

"Get out of here kid." Daddy replied.

"No."

"Look kid, I appreciate a concerned citizen and all, but this is Jerome Valeska the psycho who broke out of Arkham tonight, and what we are doing is giving him what he deserves." Daddy said.

Again I let out a growl this time breaking a nearby picture of daddy. "No one deserves that." Bruce replies and I smile.

"You tell them." Jerome said between gaping for breath.

"Shut up." Daddy replied irritatedly.

"Stop! Call the police and they will come for him." Bruce replied and to my surprise daddy relented.

"Oh gezz. Let him go." Daddy tells Lughead then points towards Bruce "and get rid of the kid."

"This isn't happening. This isn't happening. This has to be a nightmare. Wake up Desdemona. Wake up!" I begged myself but I wasn't dreaming. This was what was happening right outside the office doors. Daddy had just ordered Lughead to kill Bruce Wayne.

I shook my head in disbelief and in disgust. How could I have ever thought that daddy had changed? He was still a cruel and heartless man and at this moment in time, I was ashamed to call him family.

While daddy was distracted with watching the fights between Lughead and Bruce, Jerome grabbed his gun and grabbed daddy by the throat pointing the gun to his head.

"Look what you left lying around. Enough reliving old memories Uncle Zack. Tell me what I want to know, you know why I'm here." Jerome demanded.

Why was he here? What did he want? Then it hit me. Daddy knew where Jeremiah had be taken after we left the circus. This was all about finding and locating my other cousin Jeremiah.

"I don't know anything." Daddy replied.

I shook my head and sighed. I began to wonder just how far Jerome would go to get the information he was after. Would he really kill daddy? No, if he did that then he'd never discover what he wanted to know.

"It's too bad we are out of soup. I wonder what else is on the menu?" Jerome replied looking over at a large bottle of bleach that was sitting on the floor.

"Look, I dropped Jeremiah off at some orphanage and he was adopted not long after. I don't know where he is or what name he goes by now. Why don't you just forget about him and move on with your life? Huh? Settle down with that spoiled brat from the circus. What was her name again? Oh yeah, Quinn. Get married, have kids and live a normal life." Daddy replied.

"Nah. That wouldn't be any fun. Besides, I know that your lying. Oh and by the way Uncle, where is my baby sister?"

"Who?" Daddy asked pretending to have no idea who Jerome was talking about.

"Don't play games with Me Uncle Zack. You know who I'm talking about." Jerome replied with a slight growl.

"Oh, her. I got rid of that brat years ago. The only child here is my daughter and she's not here right now." Daddy replied. Why was daddy lying? Was he trying to protect me from Jerome?

"I know she's here. Come out come out wherever you are. I promise I won't hurt you. I just want to give you a hug." Jerome said sweetly. When that didn't work he frowned. "Fine. You have to the count of ten to show yourself or I'll splatter Uncle Zack's brains across the wall. 1, 2 by the time he reached ten I still hadn't left the office. "Humm guess she isn't here after all. Oh well. Goodbye Uncle." Jerome said pointing the gun at daddy.

"Stop!" I yelled slowly exiting the office and I watched daddy's gaze to very angry. I knew that I had disobeyed him, but I couldn't let Jerome kill him. Jerome flashed me a creepy

"Now what's a kid like you doing mixed up with someone like my Uncle?"

"That's none of your business and I'm not a kid."

"Sure your not. Alright Uncle, I'm just about getting fed up with this game. Where is my little sister?"

"She's right in front of you, you idiot." Daddy replied with a slight chuckle.

"Real funny Uncle. My baby sister is 17 going on 18. She's what? Two going on three?"Jerome replied with a scoff.

Now it was my turn to growl in irritation. "Wether you believe me or not is not my problem. However, since we are being truthful, I am Desdemona Rosealynn Catrina Tina Marie Trumble's Uncle. She just calls me daddy because that's what I've been to her, a loving father."

At this, Jerome burst into laughter. "You loving? Now that's a good one. With Uncle Zack the beatings never stoped. Never. No one ever stepped in to help me or my sister for that matter."

"What about Quinn and her mother? Don't they count?" Daddy asked.

"To answer your question, while it is true that they both intervened on my behalf they didn't stop the beatings from occurring. Quinn's mother never went to the heads of the families of the circus with what she knew."

"She never filed a child abuse report with the police. So no she doesn't count. As for Quinn, she was helpless to do anything to help us besides telling her mother, who as I said didn't do enough to stop the abuse."

"That is a lie. When Quinn's mother found out that my sister was hurting you she took action. She threatened Her telling her that if she ever found out that she hurt you again then She would ruin her."

"When my sister didn't listen, Quinn's mom beat her with a baseball bat until she was unconscious and then doused her with alcohol. She took you to the hospital to ensure you received the proper medical treatment. The only reason she didn't file a report with the police, is because she knew that the local police station in the town where the incident occurred were idiots."

"She also didn't tell the other families for two reasons, one she knew the heads of the families wouldn't do anything because our mother slept with most of them. Two, she was certain they were already aware of the abuse and chose to ignore it. I'm certain that if she knew that the abuse had continued after that event, then she would have made my sister's life miserable."

"How do you know all that?"

Daddy shrugged. "I just do is all."

"Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway. Most people never helped us. It makes a man wonder. What the hell is wrong with you?" Jerome asks turning to Bruce who was being held tightly in Lughead's grasp. "The only thing funnier then you saving my life is me saving yours." Jerome replied pointing the gun in Lughead's direction.

"No!" Bruce replies

"Humm What would be funnier would be if you were choked to death by the guy you saved me from. Yeah yeah let's do that. Go ahead do your thing." Jerome replied and Lughead continues to choke Bruce causing Jerome to break into laughter.

"Let him go you big bully!" I yelled at Lughead hitting him in the back. He glanced down at me momentarily and reached down to grab me. However, just as he did Jerome pulled me away from him and then, after aiming the gun, he pulled the trigger killing Lughead. Leaving behind a startled Daddy and Bruce.

"It's been fun but we best be on our way. So many places to go and things to do." Jerome said grabbing me and pulling me towards the door.

"Let her go Jerome!" Bruce and Uncle Zac demanded.

"Or what? What are you going to do your majesty?" I looked at Jerome in confusion Bruce wasn't royalty was he?

"The Prince of Gotham demands that I give to him what's mine. Well, sorry to burst your bubble but I'm the boss. I'm the one calling the shots around here. If I say that my baby sister is going to join me, then she will. There nothing you can do to stop me from taking my baby sister with me. Unless of course you plan on killing me. Are you going to Kill me Bruce?"

WC 5261