Glory and Gore | Edward Nashton (The Riddler)

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Chapter seventeen
Death of the Mayor and the Superhero
Edward's POV:
I took deep breaths as I stood in my apartment, clad in my Riddler outfit. I only had a couple of hours before Juno would show up. Juno. My lovely Juno. I hadn't seen her since I hung out with her, Robyn, and Lena. That was two weeks ago. I grabbed my things and started to make my way to the Mayor's home. I had to make sure Robyn or Lena wouldn't see me. I was perched in a building across the street, watching the mayor play with his son. I noticed his wife take the kid out of the room and the left the house. Robyn and Lena were nowhere to be seen. I knew Lena had some annoyance for her father. I slowly snuck in through the skylight, standing in the room with him. He was too busy watching the voting polls. Bella Rèal was winning. "Why is she still ahead? Something needs to be done. I don't understand." Don said into his phone. God, I hated him. I hated this man. He treated me like I was nothing, trying to get me to talk about my past. I held the carpet tool in my hand. Don turned off the tv and I lunged at him, swinging at his head. He fell to the ground and I continued to bludgeon him. Blood splattered on my clothes and the floor. I exhaled deeply as I finished taking his life. I took out the duct tape and started wrapping it around his head. I placed him in his chair, putting his crimes on display. A soft laugh left my lips as I cut off his thumb. The Batman would be so proud. He was going to see; they're all corrupt. All of them. I was cleaning up this city for the people who struggled like me and for her. My angel. "It's all for you, Juno." I whispered. I placed the card for The Batman on the desk. A thump made me look at the doorway, terrified I'd been caught. "Robyn, come on! My dad won't suspect we're in the theater room!" Lena's happy voice said. I slowly made my way to the skylight, making sure my footsteps wouldn't be heard. Lena's squeals descended down the stairs and I took my chance to escape. The rain was hard and heavy tonight. The rain drenched my clothing, water droplets covering my glasses. I placed the 'thumb drive' in one of the mayor's cars, popping the tire as I finished. I used the shadows to get back to my apartment. I looked at the watch on my wrist. 10:30. I hurried into my apartment and saw that the mayors murder was already being broadcasted on the news. I chuckled, so unbelievably happy that The Batman will see what I've done. Everything was going to come together. What I didn't realize was my girlfriend was walking in the room.

Juno's POV:
I used the key Edward gave me and entered his apartment. Crazed laughter was heard as I closed the door behind me. And there he stood, dressed like The Riddler. That white question mark that had been haunting me for months. "Edward?" I said. His head snapped in my direction and he ripped off the mask, his glasses falling to the floor. My eyes widened at the Saran Wrap around his head. He quickly picked up his glasses and pulled at the Saran Wrap. He was drenched in sweat and I saw the red droplets on his jacket. "Mayor Don Mitchell has been murdered." The news said. I shook my head and said "you killed the mayor?" "I did. Juno, let me explain." Edward said. I felt the whole world crashing down on me. Everything that's happened in these last couple of months. It was Edward. It was all Edward. Edward stood tall in front of me, his breath rasping. "You're the riddler." I gasped. "Yes, I am. I have to rid this cesspool of a city of it's corrupt individuals." Edward said with a deep voice. Edward walked towards me, his boots clunking against the wooden floors. "Are you scared?" He chuckled. I shook my head, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Edward giggled, cupping my cheek with a gloved hand. "You are. You're trembling." I turned away from him and said "you killed Robyn's mom. You killed Harry. Edward, how could you?" "How could I? How could I?! They made this city suffer! They made you suffer! I couldn't let him hurt you! He would've fucking killed you, Juno." Edward sneered. I reached up to push his hand off my cheek. He grabbed me by my arms and I yelped in fear. I kept my eyes closed and awaited for him to hurt me. "Edward, please. Don't film how you kill me. It'll kill my father. Please. Please don't, Edward." I felt the tears welling up into my eyes. "Kill you? I'd never kill you. How could you say that? Why would you say that?!" A soft sob left my lips and I kneed him in the groin, causing him to let go of me. I scrambled away from him and Edward said "Juno!" I stopped and looked at him. "I did this for you. All of it. What I'm going to do. It's all for us. The city needs to be safe. You have to believe me." I looked down and said "Edward, I loved you. You were my superhero." "Superhero." He said. I looked at him and he was shaking his head. He stood up with and eyed me with such anger and hate. "Why do you have to make everyone hate you?" Edward asked. My lips parted and I said "w-what?" "Harry hated you. Why is that? Why'd he hate you so much? Maybe it's because you never accepted him. Just like you're not accepting me. You never have. You're a liar." "Edward, what are you talking about? I've always accepted you. I loved that you weren't like my social circle. You understood that they were rich and selfish and you're so sweet. Edward, I accepted you the first night I met you." I said. Edward shook his head with a scoff. "Don't pretend that you cared about me. You never have. You find out I'm the riddler and now you want nothing to do with me. Well, guess what? You're just like the rest of them and I want you to go. I don't want to see you." I could feel my heart breaking as he spoke. "Edward, I've always cared about you. I love you." "No! No! No! Earlier you said loved! You loved me!! You don't love me anymore..." I whimpered and said "I take it back. I do love you. Don't do this. Please." "You're a liar! You're just like the rest of them! You won't accept that I am the riddler! I want you to go! GET OUT, JUNO!" Edward screamed. I approached him slowly, reaching for him. Edward raised his hand and I immediately cowered, falling onto the floor. "Eddie, please!" I said. My hair hung in my face as I sat on the ground, panting. A shudder left Edward's lips and I looked up at him. "Juno..." He reached for me and I flinched. Confusion swirled around in his eyes and that was quickly replaced with anger. "GET OUT! I WANT YOU TO GO! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" I slowly got to my feet, tears blurring my vision. "l-love you. I h-hope you succeed as the riddler. I really hope you do. I w-won't tell the police. I promise. I p-promise I won't tell." I sobbed. Edward stomped over to me and said "get out." I cupped his cheek hesitantly and his face softened. "I'm sorry. I wish you the best." I pulled away from him, Edward chasing after the touch. I turned away from him, going to the front door. He screamed and flipped the coffee table in the living room. I rushed out of the apartment, slamming the door. Edward continued to scream and crashing sounds entered the air. I took the stairs down and got outside to the parking lot. As if this night couldn't get any worse, I slipped and fell into the biggest puddle you could imagine. The rain poured from the sky. It was as if someone was dumping a bucket of water onto me. I slowly got to my feet and unlocked my car. I sat in the driver's seat, sopping wet with a broken heart. I should hate Edward right now. I should hate his guts. But, I didn't. Before I knew he was the riddler I basically supported him. It was Edward who got rid of my ex. It was Edward who gave me the money that Robyn's mother owed me. It was Edward who protected me from this city. I looked up at his apartment building, more tears coming down. I figured I'd come and get my stuff while he was at work one day. I'd have to make sure he would be. I don't know if I could deal with the pain of seeing him again.