Chapter 17: In Darkness, There's Light
It's been a few weeks since the events with Mr. Freeze, and many things have happened since then. Boyle was sentenced to 20 years in Blackgate for his crimes, Nora is being cared for at Wayne Industries and its scientists are working hard to look for a cure and they feel like they're coming close, but is still in her frozen state, Victor was currently in Arkham, but was given a much shorter sentence than what was originally being considered given, and of course, Batman was still continuing to making a name for himself in Gotham and for whom people are calling a hero. Presently at Wayne Manor, Bruce was reading the newspaper while Alfred came in with some tea. "Some late night tea, Master Bruce?", Alfred offered. "Sure. Thanks, Al.", Bruce said. "So, I take it Mrs. Fries is coming close to getting her cure?", Alfred asked. "The head scientists at the company believe they're nearing to finding it. Not only will it cure her, but pretty much anyone else who also has the same disease.", Bruce answered. "Good, and Victor?", Alfred said. "He's doing alright. He just can't wait to be with his wife again. And he shouldn't be in Arkham for too much longer after the good word that was put in for him.", Bruce said. "Wonderful to hear, sir.", Alfred said. "You know, Victor asked me when we were fighting if I knew what it was like to have someone I truly loved taken away from me. And I do. My parents were the pillars and highlights of this city. A light in the dark. But then they were taken. Just like Nora was almost taken from him. So, that's something me and him have in common.", Bruce said. "But he was more obsessed with vengeance than actually true justice, and that's where me and him are different.", Bruce said. Alfred then took a seat next to him and had some tea with him. "I've been meaning to say this, Bruce. At first, I was hesitant about this whole Batman thing, but after what you've done to help this city such as putting criminals like Thorne in jail, as well as expose Ferris for his heinous crimes, and save a married couple from being torn apart, I now see that you were right. Gotham needs you, it needs Batman.", Alfred said. "You really think that?", Bruce asked. "Of course, I do. And I for one am so proud of you for what you're doing, and your parents would be too. Your father would be happy to see that you want to make Gotham a better place just like he did. And I'm with you every step of the way.", Alfred said with a comforting smile on his face. "Thank you, Alfred. That means a lot hearing that from you.", Bruce said who returned the smile. Alfred then looked over Bruce's shoulder and saw a unique shaped light in the sky through the window. "Uh, Bruce. I do believe someone is calling you.", Alfred said. Bruce then turned around and saw what he was talking about. He saw a floodlight with his bat symbol in the center of the light being shown in the sky. "Looks like it's coming from the police station.", Bruce said. "I'll see you in the morning, Al.", Bruce said as he made his way to the cave. "See you then, sir.", Alfred said as he left. Meanwhile at GCPD, Gordon was standing beside the floodlight waiting for Batman to show up. "What's this about?", Batman asked out of nowhere. Gordon turned around and saw the one Gotham is now calling their hero. "I thought of it as your own personal beacon when the city needs you. I hope you don't mind.", Gordon said. "So, now the whole city seems to be alright with me?", Batman asked. "Most of it. You really did start something. Dirty cops are running scared, criminals feel more at ease during the day, and people are finally starting to have hope again. I can't begin to tell you the last time this city was actually hopeful. But I guess even in the darkness, there's light.", Gordon said. "And I am the light to the innocents. We are the light to the innocents, while we are the dark to the scum.", Batman said. "That's a good way to look at it.", Gordon said. "Anyway, I mainly thought of using this when we're having trouble with the mob or with certain strange cases. Such as this one which is the reason I called you here.", Gordon said as he pulled out a case file. "Lay it on me.", Batman said. "For the past few years, only on holidays or special dates, this killer has murdered different people in some strange way revolving around that date. Like in his first year, on the 4th of July, he set off some of some fireworks in a guy's stomach, and his guts exploded all over his apartment. Then the year after that, on Mother's Day, a loving mother of 2 children was found strangled with a nylon cord. And his most recent kill was just a few days ago on Labor Day when a construction worker was nailed to a piece of wood, almost like he was being crucified.", Gordon explained. Batman was looking through the file and the gory pictures, but still seemed emotionless. "Any connections the victims had with one another?", Batman asked. "None whatsoever that we could find.", Gordon answered. "Another thing about this guy is that he leaves calendars at the scenes of his murders with the date that each victim died circled. Because of this, people are calling him the Calendar Man.", Gordon said. "Any fingerprints on the calendars?", Batman asked. "Nope. So, he's using gloves.", Gordon said. "I'll look into it, Jim.", Batman said. "Thanks. And not just for me, but for Gotham.", Gordon said. "We can make a difference in Gotham, Jim. Especially, if we do it together.", Batman said. He then dived off the roof and extended his cape and glided into the night.
The End
Thanks for reading and I plan to get to the sequel of this story as soon as possible. Thanks again.