Coming back to Gotham city was a step towards acceptance. Down Interstate 3, the ten lane highway was packed with vehicles trialing for miles. An accident occurred causing a pile up distorting the natural flow of rush hour traffic.
Traveling from upper New York state, Jack returned from his 'hiatus' after the passing of his late wife Genie. When the funeral was finished he couldn't stand living in their old home and set fire to it. After the act of arson he just drove in the Challenger and headed North to the Catskills Mountains.
The cabin was quiet during most days. Besides the times when flocks of birds swept the sky from hearing gunshots from his twelve gauge. Civilization was the least of his worries. The passing of his wife left him hollow which nothing could fill. Her parents berated him for the death of their daughter. Jack couldn't even focus on their grief, he was to consumed with his own. A love he never thought to rediscover in life. The last five years felt like they just vanished from his timeline. The incessant thought of losing both his wife and child led him to contemplating suicide.
Being pushed to the side brink looking for a way out he stuck a Glock into his mouth. Thinking of seeing her again was enticing but he knew she wouldn't want him to end it like this, at least not damage his face. He took the Glock out of his mouth and chuckled. She was a little superficial in that regard.
"Dammit Genie, hehe."
He heard a thump from the window. Turning around he looked out to see a bird on its back injured with what seemed like a broken wing. Picking up the bird, the neck was easy to twist in a full 360 degree spin. He knew he didn't have to kill it but seeing the tiny thing suffer, pain can be endured but once it becomes constant, death is usually preferred. He grabbed the shotgun and ran outside to begin target practice. The day continued on the thrive of smelling the fumes of gunpowder.
Back on the highway...
The sound of multiple cars pushing on their horns woke Jack from his moment of contemplation. Snickering from the scene he turned the Challenger around and passed through the emergency connector. He decided that a long detour was worth when compared to waiting till the tow trucks came along to move the mess. People were always in the way so he decided to only keep in contact with the little he knew and cared for. For now he was alone. Time would eventually prevail to the moment he would share himself with another like he did with Genie. But that time isn't coming soon.
Driving down to a bank he decided to withdraw all the cash from his account. Exiting from his car he noticed that the bank changed logos for the fifth time this decade. "When one bank falls the, another one arises to swallow it up. NT&M bank merged to GNB, color decor switch from gold to platinum, leather to fabric, and brunette to blonde. "Welcome to Gotham National Bank. How may I help you today sir?"
"I'd like to close my account if that's all right."
"No problem sir, please swipe your." Jack swiped his old NT&M gold members card. The reader buzzed with a red light flashing. "I'm sorry sir but your card being read."
"It is pretty old miss. I've had this card since old bill left the office."
"Oh that's fine sir. I can take a look at the card. The merger with the GNB has altered and filled storage files so finding clients takes just a little bit longer."
"Okay that's fine." Jack gave the women the card and waited.
"Mr. Napier."
"Yes?"
"You have three accounts and a security deposit box associated with our company. Are you sure you would like to cancel the accounts and clean your box?"
"Yes Miss…"
"Quinzel."
"Yes Miss Quinzel. It's time to make some changes in my life. Hopefully this money and the possessions will help me make things right."
"Well I wish you well Mr. Napier. This amount will probably have a positive impact in the long hall."
"Thank you Miss Quinzel." Jack went to the manager's office where he was handed an explicit amount of money and was handed his security deposit box. Before leaving he waved to Miss Quinzel with one hand and held a briefcase with the other. Turning the ignition of the challenger he speed off to his temporary home.
Taking a quick look at the apartment he knew this was just a temporary situation but couldn't help but find himself going in the right direction. People believe that losing someone is life-shattering but Jack realized that this was just a test of character. He decided not to break down and fall into the dirt left with nothing but despair and anguish.
"You haven't become a monster, even after the transformation."
"I never forgot those I knew even though they thought I've died in a chemical spill."
"That still kinda confused me puddin, so did you fall in the vat by accident or was this an act of vengeance?"
"During the time I remember Batman coming towards me with a look of evil in his eyes. I was shaken before he assaulted me. Looking back at it earlier, I worked with Riddler temporarily to find out that Red Hood obtained a batsuit after the actual Batman was lost in time or whatever. There was quite a couple continuity issues in the past decade but those got arbitrarily fixed so readers could get a fresh start." She looked at a picture of him from when he was an attendant from A.C.E Chemical.
"You look cute puddin. You still look handsome and beautiful."
"It's funny, I didn't think the first time we've met was actually at a bank. God it feels like yesterday I returned to Gotham City."
"It was a temporary job to pay for small expenses during college, the knowledge was free but the books were hundreds of dollars."
"I never went to college but I did learn a thing or two while being a lab assistant. After my 'life changing experience' I decided to test certain concoctions on subjects which lead to more than pleasing results."
"At least they smiled in the end."