The boy looked bewildered at the blood staining his small hands as he knelt beside the prone forms of both of his parents. Moments before they were laughing, talking, living, breathing. Now they lay motionless in the rain. The laughter had died, and the alleyway was silent save for the rain hitting eaves and running down the pipes to fall in pools. Flooded blue eyes lifted like dead-weight to look upon the rain-soaked man before him, .45 colt pistol held loosely in hand, mouth agape as if he too were trying to register what had just happened. He killed them. It was his fault. The young boy began to shake uncontrollably as the man began to speak. L-listen, kid...I-I didnt mean to kill em...Y-your pops, he shouldnt have been stupid... The boy, too young to understand and too helpless to fight back did the only thing he could. He screamed. ---- ---- Bruce Wayne awoke in a cold sweat with a young boys scream on his lips. Sitting up in bed, he turned his eyes to the clock reading 4:03AM and sighed heavily, putting his head in his hands as he calmed himself. Outside, the rain tapped rhythmically upon the large-paned windows of his Gotham City condominium, and the sporadic flash of lightning illuminated the room - shadows momentarily receding to reveal nothing. There was a sudden light knocking upon the bedroom door, and a voice - old and comforting - came from beyond. Master Bruce, I heard you screaming. Is everything alright? Bruce Wayne looked up from his hands and spoke. Everythings alright, Alfred. Just nightmares. There was a momentary pause before the door was opened and the familiar figure of Alfred the Butler emerged. Pardon me, Master Bruce, but Id thought someone had broken in and tried to murder you in your sleep. Bruce managed a wry grin and laughed. I have nothing to worry about while youre here, Alfred. Yes, Master Bruce. Though, I warn you, Im not as quick as I once was. And when was that, Alfred? he mused. Alfred merely smiled and then turned from the room. I promised your parents Id look after you, and I dont plan on letting old age get the best of me just yet. Good night, Master Wayne. After he had left and the door had been closed, Bruce stood from his bed and walked slowly toward the glass door to the balcony, his bare feet padding softly. As he stood for some time gazing out at the Gotham City skyline, he wondered to himself what Gotham would be like without the Batman. Turning, he gazed upon a tall wardrobe, within which was encased the costume that the evil of Gotham City had so feared, and in that moment he knew. ---- ---- Stepping out into the rain-soaked night, lightning flashing in the distance, and a sharp breeze howling across the city-scape, Batman looked upon his city and thought of Alfreds words to him. He thought of his parents, and the legacy that they had wished for him to carry on. Finally he thought about his question, and he allowed a small smile to cross his lips before leaping into the night. Gotham without Batman? As long as there was a city to defend, he would be there to defend it.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 08:41:32 +0000