October 11th, 2024

16-year old Oswald Cobblepot, now a sophomore, was sitting down in Royal Woods High School's computer lab, doing the final touches on a crucial essay for English class, with his backpack placed in front of his feet and below the desk.

Compared to his younger days, Oswald was now much taller and thinner. Though not a giant by any stretch of the definition, he was much different from his seven-year old self.

A skinny, bespectacled brunette walked up behind him, "Hey, Ozzie, you almost done yet?"

Oswald turned his head, "Just give me a second, Ed."

His friend nodded and walked away.

There that's it, Oswald thought as he double read his paper.

He was about to hit print when, out of curiosity for the latest news in his home city, went onto Google and typed in the search bar, 'Gotham news'.

Oswald was left shocked when the first headline to appear was 'Steel-Making Family Massacred,"; it was on the website of the Gotham Gazette.

He clicked on the link.

Last night, a triple homicide occurred at the home of one of Gotham's wealthiest families, which has left the city in shock and terror at its savagery.

The victims were Andrew Amberson, 47, the only son and heir of Abraham Amberson, an influential steel magnate and philanthropist; his wife, Carla, 45, and their son, Andrew Jr., 8.

The only survivors were the couple's daughter, Anne Amberson, 16, and the family butler, Eustace Pollack.

According to the butler, a man, cloaked in a mask, armed with firearms broke into the home in the dead of night. He made their way into the home and slaughtered the parents and son.

Miss Amberson only survived because Pollack, alerted by the sound of the gunshots, rushed into her room, woke her up, and escorted her to a safe room, at the risk of his own life.

A representative of the family patriarch, Abraham Amberson told reporters thus, "In this time of tragedy, Mr. Amberson asks those in the media to respect the Amberson family's right to privacy, so that it may help his granddaughter recover from this so terrible time."

As of this writing, the suspect has yet to be identified. But Sergeant Gillian Loeb of GCPD's Homicide division spoke at a press conference, "The GCPD is focusing all of our resources into the search for the individual responsible for this act of great evil and will see to it that he will be brought to justice in the eyes of the law."

The article left Oswald chilled. What a horrific crime, people mowed down without a care, a young life snuffed out before it could truly start…

There was something about the name, Amberson, that was familiar to him. He put his finger below his chin and thought about it.

Anne Amberson, that was it, he realized. A moment from his prep school days flashed before his eyes…

6-year old Oswald was walking down the halls, in the midst of a day filled with teasing, when he heard a call of "Hey, look it's the Penguin!"

In front of him, stood a short blonde girl, little rat-faced Annie Amberson, who sneered at him, "What are you doing, freak?"

Having already gone through a day filled with teasing, Oswald looked down on the floor, "Leave me alone, he spoke almost inaudibly"

Annie stepped up defiantly, "Whatcha gonna do about it?"

Oswald avoided eye contact and continued walking.

"That's what I thought," Annie scoffed, "Chicken…"

Oswald grimaced at the memory. Of all the vicious, spoiled brats who tormented him in Gotham, Anne Amberson was among the worst.

However, his years with the Louds having taught him the importance of forgiveness, his heart still bled for her for having gone through such a traumatic event. Besides, perhaps in the years since, she had matured, grown into a better person.

Scrolling down, he found that the article contained a picture of how Anne currently looked. She had grown into quite an attractive young lady…

…

Oswald was now standing on the lawn in front of the Loud house. He, along with the twins, had just gotten off the school bus.

Lana, freshly done with mechanics class, had oil on her shirt and a little dirt on her face.

In contrast, Lola was dressed in her immaculate cheerleader uniform.

By this time, Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lynn, and Lincoln had all moved out to go on to college. Though they were missed by their younger siblings, it did mean there was now a lot more room in the house.

Lucy was in her junior year at the high school-and as much of a goth girl as she always was, if not more so. She avoided the bus like the plague, usually getting a ride from Haiku or one of her other friends.

"You okay, Ozzie?"

Startled by the question, Oswald turned towards Lana in surprise, "What?"

Lana shrugged, "It's just you've been looking kinda down all day."

"Hmmm…," Lola looked at him inquisitively, "you have been acting weird lately."

"It's nothing, you guys," Oswald lied as he rushed into the house, "I'm fine…really."

In the living room, preteen Lily, with braces in her teeth, was watching television.

"Ozzie!", Lily smiled when she saw her big brother enter, "You wanna watch TV with me?"

"Maybe later, Lil," Oswald rushed up the stairs, "I've got this major assignment I gotta write up."

"Okay…", Lily sighed in disappointment, "maybe later."

Upstairs, loud noises were coming from the first room on the left. No doubt Lisa working on her latest experiment…

Oswald went inside his room, which was now with much more open space with Lincoln gone, and shut the door. He took out a piece of paper and grabbed a pen off his desk. He began writing.

Dear Miss Amberson,

You may not remember me, but we once went to school together. Whatever troubles we had in those days, they're all in the past. Only know that you have my sincerest condolences for what has happened to you.

I too have lost people I cared for to crime, such as my own mother. And in my darkest times, I found people who helped me back upon my feet and aid in my recovery.

I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Oswald Cobblepot

Oswald looked over his letter thoroughly making sure that he had done everything in exactly the right way.

"Oswald!" Rita called up from downstairs, "dinner!"

Oswald responded, "Coming, Mom!"

He made a mental note to find an envelope to place the letter in later before exiting his room and coming down the stairs.

…

Three years later, in an apartment in Gotham City, IL:

"Oswald! You up?", Lori Santiago bellowed.

Oswald sprung out of bed, groaning, "Yeah, Lori."

He marched into the kitchen, still dressed in his pajamas, "Good morning."

A four-year old black-haired boy, young Luis Santiago, wearing a red-and-yellow shirt was seated at the table. Lori was standing before the counter, cutting up vegetables.

The boy's face lit up with joy when he saw him, "Uncle Ozzie!"

Oswald playfully ruffled his nephew's hair, "Hey, buddy."

Oswald went into the closet and took out a box of cheerios, before pouring some into a bowl. Then, he took some milk and poured a little inside.

Taking a spoon, he sat down next to Luis and began eating.

Bobby, dressed for work, approached his wife, "Babe, I gotta run. Grampa needs me at the bodega."

Lori kissed her husband on the cheek, "Ok. Bye, hun, have a good day at work."

"Thanks," Bobby nodded before heading out the door.

Oswald finished his breakfast and brought the bowl to the sink.

As he was washing it, Lori spoke up, "You gonna get dressed? Lucy'll be here any minute-and you know she hates to wait."

Oswald nodded, "Alright, I just need a minute in the bathroom."

He went back into his room and changed into clothes appropriate for college, then went into the bathroom.

Oswald was just finishing up brushing his teeth when he heard Lori cry out, "She's here!"

He came out of the bathroom, grabbed his backpack, and made his way to the door, "Bye, Lori. Bye, Luis."

Lori called after him, "Bye, Ozzie-oh and tell Carlos I said hello."

Oswald turned to her and nodded, "Will do," before leaving, shutting the door behind him.

It still took Lori a bit to get used to: her little brother, now a college student. She flashed a proud smile as she looked down from the window to get into Lucy's-black, of course-car and off they went.