Jason continued to hide in his room, tucked away from the world, and he also continued to have nightmares about Owlman. Memories of that night plagued him. One particular stormy night, the ex-Talon had a particularly vivid flashback.

Duela, his new girlfriend, just introduced him to the family whom she had affectionately nicknamed the Riddler family. Upon hearing the news, Jackie went crazy, crazier than he already was. Jason thought he was going to throw something.

"If this is some kind of joke, young lady, it's not funny!"

The Jokester proceeded to berate Duela and claim that she wasn't even his daughter.

The comedian's tone made Jason shake with anger; didn't that clown even realize how much they had given up just to have this moment? He clutched Duela's arm and fired his grappling gun to escape before things escalated.

Once they were safe on another rooftop, Jason turned to face his girlfriend, a look of concern on both their faces.

"Don't mind my dad; he was just..." Duela started. She had a calm nervous expression on her face. It was much different than the energetic carefree clownish personality she normally displayed. Her striking lavender eyes were wide and watery, and her lips were in a sincere yet disappointed-looking pout.

Jason silenced her with a kiss before she could finish her sentence.

"Don't worry. It's going to be okay. It's going to be..." he said.

Just then, something landed behind him with a ping. Out of the corner of his eye, Todd saw a glimmering owlarang sticking out of the ground. A huge shadow eclipsed the two as Owlman made his appearance. Owlman grabbed Jason by the throat and threw him onto the hard concrete of the rooftop.

"I hope you've enjoyed your time with your little girlfriend, Jason. It'll be the last time you two ever spend together," Owlman said coldly.

A larger more imposing Talon kicked Jason out of the way before jabbing a dagger into Duela's throat. Jason stood helplessly watching her fall over and bleed out. Laughter and blood filled her mouth as she died with an eerie smile on her face.

"Duela!" Jason looked at his attacker with confusion and anger; in a rage, he leaped for Owlman.

Owlman kicked Jason to the ground once again and stood over Duela's corpse laughing.

"Don't worry, you'll be joining her very soon," Owlman cooed.

Just then, something that sounded like a sonic boom roared, and a nearby rock collapsed, revealing the rest of the Crime Syndicate.

"Good job! You lead us right to them," Ultraman said darkly, stepping out of the shadows.

"This fiasco ends tonight," Owlman said calmly as he drew a sharp owl-shaped weapon from his cloak. Talon winced, preparing for the inevitable. He knew this was it.

Suddenly, there was an explosion. The Jokester's mad cackling echoed through the fire tinted night. Owlman fell to the ground and smoke started filling the air. Jason used the distraction escape, never looking back.

The sound of a ticking clock in his room pulled Jason out of his flashback.

"Duela?" Jason asked.

Jason looked at the little clown-shaped clock ticking back and forth, moving its eyes to keep count of the seconds. The comedian who took him in certainly had strange decor choices.

Just then, he heard another sound, the faint hooting of an owl.

"Hoo-hoo,"

The sound sent shivers up his spine.

It's only a matter of time until he finds me, Jason thought.

The ex-Talon wrapped himself in a blanket and covered his head. It didn't make him feel any safer, though. Just then, he heard a crack of thunder and a small bump.

"Dad, is that...is that you?" Jason asked cautiously. Jackie had gone to some kind of nighttime meeting; he didn't really ask for details.

Another clap of thunder sounded. The kid noticed a branch tapping on the window from being blown by the wind.

"Get a hold of yourself," Jason said, forcing himself to relax.

The ex-Talon sighed and stared at the rain outside. The little owl continued to hoot, mocking him it seemed.

Lingering memories of Duela flashed in his mind.

"I wish I would have never met Owlman," Jason said to himself.

Memories of who he was before being reduced to begging for his life at the feet of the Owl of Gotham filled his mind. Even with both of his parents dead, he managed to take care of himself until Owlman got involved and killed Roman Sionis, who was like a dad to him. The younger Jason would have probably laughed out loud if he saw who he was now, wrapped up in a blanket and jumping at bumps in the night.

Jason heard Owlman's demented laughter in his head.

This is pathetic. I've been hiding out like one of his victims for months. If Owlman saw me like this, he'd probably laugh before slitting my throat. I can't keep doing this! If he finds me, he finds me. I'm probably a sitting duck here anyway.

With a growl, he threw off the covers and looked defiantly at the stormy skies.

The teen realized that his fears were driving him to hide like scared prey. That had to be just what Owlman wanted. Jason wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing his fear again, not if he could help it.

With that, Jason slipped on a raincoat and disappeared into the night.

The teen looked back at the little country house with embarrassment and anger; he didn't exactly know why he was angry or who he was angry with. Was it with Owlman for threatening to kill him and scaring him even without being anywhere near him? Jackie for rejecting Duela and letting him be afraid? Dick for acting like a loyal servant instead of standing up for him that night?

Another clap of thunder sounded as Jason attempted to cover himself with his jacket.

Or was he angry with himself and just looking for someone to blame?

Lightning illuminated some water on the ground enough for him to see his reflection. Jason glared at it and kicked the puddle.

If I only would have stood my ground, she would still be alive, Jason thought as he walked toward the pouring rain.