Chapter Two - Shock of Realities

I changed the synopsis a bit because I did not want to have two stories about time travel. Although the plot was completely different, I decided to change some details here, but since it's still in the beginning, it does not make much difference. Enjoy.

The Wayne couple were late for dinner. Martha was already looking forward to them. She hugged her son, and kissed his cheek, as if she had not seen him in years. Martha smiled at Diana, her son's wife. Although she was not the ideal daughter-in-law, she still liked the girl.

Bruce was elegant in his black suit, and Diana wore a flowered dress at the knee. Quite simple for a billionaire's wife. This was one of the reasons why Martha did not believe in gossip. If Diana were only there for the money, she would be covered in jewels, and not in the simple clothes of working as a waitress.

"I'm sorry for the delay, but I had an accident in the traffic." He said.

"I'm glad you're still here."

Martha led them to the hall of the Wayne mansion. It was too big and lonely for a widowed woman, so Bruce and Diana came to dinner with her all night. Her son might as well live under the same roof, but she understood the couple's will to have their own home. Soon they would have a child, and just married, they enjoyed enjoying life together. No interference from other people, even from his mother.

"How is the job, dear?" She gestured.

Bruce shrugged.

"The routine is overwhelming, at times the difficulty in controlling a company is greater, however, my father taught me well."

"Thomas would be proud of you." She said, and was sincere.

"Thank you."

Diana squeezed Bruce's hand under the table. She knew how her husband was still touched when he talked about his father. He massaged the back of her hand in return and smiled at her. Martha watched the couple's interaction discreetly. They really were very beautiful together.

"And you, Diana? How are things?"

She smiled, touching her belly with her free hand.

"I feel enormous." She admitted.

"It's fine with me." He kissed her cheek.

"You're very kind, Mr. Wayne."

Dinner went on as usual. Martha was kind and made a lot of concern about the couple's presence. They talked for what seemed like hours, and when they realized it, it was late. So they decided to spend the night there.

Bruce's room was untouched, his mother never dared to change anything. It was nothing new, as they still slept in the mansion. At dawn, a rain began to fall.

He was in a warehouse, hidden in the shadows. Below him a few men stole the shipment. Boxes and more boxes were stored in the criminals' truck.

"Quicker." One of them shouted. "Before Batman arrives."

Another man looked up, and pointed to his figure. Batman jumped into the middle of the criminals, who began to run, some tried to shoot. Their attacks against the Iroi were in vain. Minutes later, they were all tied up while the police sirens were heard. Time to go. It disappeared into the darkness.

Bruce woke up startled. Diana was still sleeping beside him, her back to him. Avoiding making noise, he got out of bed and went to the window. He opened it, letting a few drops of rain in, in an attempt to calm the mind. He closed his eyes, feeling the coolness of the falling water. It was good, comforting.

Minutes later, calmer, he returned to lie down next to his wife. Diana shifted and embraced him in her sleep. He could not hide a smile, and he hugged her too. He closed his eyes again, trying to fall asleep.

In his mind, a smiling face appeared, half overcast with sleep. He would recognize him from anywhere. The clown who had saved his family years before. He tried to move, however, it was impossible. The clown's mouth moved to speak, but he did not understand the words. From the laugh on the clown's face, he knew he was drolling about him. He felt the pressure on him, and the more he struggled, the more stuck he was.

Suddenly the clown's expression changed, and he looked irritated. He turned to someone else, whom he could not recognize, and he looked very angry. Bruce understood only grunts, and knew at that moment that something was wrong. The same clown came back a few minutes later, covering his mouth with a respirator. Then he saw nothing else.

He jumped up, waking up in his bedroom. Diana was on top of him, her hand on his shoulder. The worried look. Confused, he looked at her quizzically.

"You were floundering. Another nightmare?"

Bruce nodded. His gaze finally landed on the open window, and realized that day already. Diana was still touching his shoulder, visibly worried about him. Bruce gave her a passionate kiss, trying to calm himself while proving to Diana that he was fine.

"I'm fine, Diana."

"It's not the first time, Bruce. I'm worried."

"I know. If I continue, I will seek help. Promise."

"I'll make you comply."

She got out of bed, going into the hallway. Bruce also left, going to a bathhouse for wash his face. Later that morning, after dressing and calmer, he walked a little, going to the family cemetery. Thomas Wayne's grave towered majestically. He sat down in front of her, touching the tombstone, trying to feel his father's presence. How Bruce needed advice now!

Maybe it was all work pressure, after all the responsibilities were getting bigger. However, his mind was still full. Try as he might not think, his mind returned to his nightmares. It seemed a different reality, in a parallel world that clashed with yours. For some reason, he wandered back to the fateful day in the alley. This time, as in their nightmares, there was no one to save them, and their parents lost their lives. He was only eight years old and orphaned. It was not fair.

A tear trickling down his face, and he looked back at his father's tombstone. He jumped up, even more frightened. It was no longer one, but two headstones. Martha and Thomas Wayne. His parents. Like the nightmare, but now, it seemed more real. The pain was almost palpable. He did not want to, could not believe it.

He closed his eyes, repeating to himself that it was not real. He stayed like this for a while, and when he reopened them, he found only Thomas's tomb, dated three years ago. He could not stay a second longer in that place. He turned around, though. Now, sure he needed help. If he had nightmares awake, it could be a risk to his family. He would seek treatment as soon as possible. It could not go on.