On the train to the Sunshine State. What a bright and cheerful name. Ugh.
After I give Mark back and say goodbye to my last chance at a normal life, I want to go somewhere solitary. Maybe my place in China. Or maybe I'll go to South America and live among the natives, a dirt-poor banana farmer with no chance to be anything. I don't feel like stealing anything. My ass hurts. Thank you, Superman.
--
My career has lost its romance. Maybe it's time for a midlife crisis, but, for God's sake, what's more spectacular than an internationally famed jewel thief?
I hope it's not a midlife crisis because that means I'll live to be 42.
--
God DAMN I hate people. Even if it isn't his fault.
Mark's father is dead. Car accident. On his way to the airport, no less. Poor little boy.
But now he's mine, which is the best news I've had all week and entirely terrifying.
Now I have to settle down. I'll let Mark pick one of my houses and we'll stay there. I love this boy.
Going back to Metropolis now to pick up a few things.
--
Mark wants to live in London and I confess I've always wanted to live there myself, so here we go. I've decided to go by ship since neither of us has before. I wonder if it will look strange for me not to have a job. Should I get one?
--
We shove off tomorrow from the New World back to the Old.
I feel so good. I don't remember the last time I felt this good. Don't care that Jason is married. To my friend. Maybe I do care. But maybe I'll meet a nice man with an accent.
Not afraid of the boss. He wouldn't spoil my good mood.
I think I'm happy.
--
Our ship is called Turnabout, a name rife with symbolism. Or not.
--
I've sent word ahead for documents to be made up so Mark can start school. I've kept him out entirely too long.
Maybe it's time for me to stop writing this now. Oh…but there's so much room.
It doesn't have to be a Notebook. Can't I just keep a diary?
Maybe I'm kidding myself, and I'll go back to crime the minute I get bored. But if I do, I'll be very quiet about it. I think I'm more like Catwoman than the boss. I don't need to make a splash. Do I?
--
Mark is a little seasick. I would like to
--
God God oh God my God oh God God God please give him back.
Please? This is me praying. This is Liss renouncing atheism once and for all. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.
Please don't let this be true. I want to wake up now. Please. You can have me instead.
PLEASE!
Amen.
--
We were on deck. I was writing and trying to think of what to do for seasickness when something hit us. It was bright green. That was all I saw of it. It tore the ship apart. I was very nearly the only survivor. Oh, Mark.
Superman and Wonder Woman came to save us. Superman disappeared, went to fight the thing, I guess. Wonder Woman picked up the survivors. She saved me and six others, a number of Titanic proportions. Except with me it was seven. Lucky Seven. Is that a cigarette? I wish I smoked. I wish...
Wonder Woman flew us lucky seven to the nearest hospital, which happened to be in Gotham. I wonder when the Joker will come and kill me. Will he even find out I'm here? Does he even care?
Maybe someday I'll describe how Mark died, how he looked when he was drowning, reaching out to me. I couldn't save him.
--
I am on the roof of the hospital. They don't know yet that I've gone. I see the Batsignal against the sky. Someone somewhere is committing a crime. Is it me?
Gotham is beautiful at night. I want to see it from a hero's view for a change. They all fly, one way or another. Maybe I'll just go up and up and up, and never know when I hit the ground.
This is my last legacy to a world that probably doesn't care.