It rained. That's what I wanted to focus on today. Not Martha breaking down in the master bedroom. Not how Alfred was already installing the tombstone. Just the rain. It was a 30% chance today. A small one, but everything has a chance of happening. I was going to take Bruce back to the theater today. He enjoyed the play so much. I fell on my knees, the world began to stop. I felt as if every bone in my body shattered. Bruce was gone. My only son. I had to do something about it. I didn't know what until the news came on about a trial happening in 50 minutes down town. I went up stairs to see Martha. She hadn't changed out of her clothes. Her blood soaked dress showed on the white sheets like a light in the dark. "Martha..."I said to her "what if..." Martha said the first thing that wasn't a sick joke or laughter. "What Thomas?" I almost forgot what her voice sounded like. "What if I...bring the man to justice who killed our son?" She went back to staring outside at his grave, almost motionless. "I miss your smile Martha". Her mouth twitched, like she was torn between a smile and a frown. I went back downstairs, as if she already gave me the answer I was looking for. Someone knocked on the door. It was Jim. Jim grew up with me, he always have me a reason to hope for this city. I never seen him as sad as when Bruce died. "Thomas..." He began. He couldn't finish. All he gave me was a pat on the shoulder. "Don't do something you'll regret, ok?" I gave him a nod, and headed for my car.
Downtown Gotham was unaffected by the rain. It was if they had a bubble shielding them. I stopped by the grocery store, bought Alfred some food to make for the next month, it was gonna be a while. News reports kept blasting on the radio 'Son of billionaire Thomas Wayne found dead in alley', 'Suspects lined up for interrogation already cleared of charges', 'Former shop owner Joe Chill admits to crime'...I didn't mind it. I kept driving, until I stopped outside the courthouse. He was walking down the street, happy as can be. I stepped out of the car. "Joe chill?" I asked in a low tone. "Yes?" He replied. His happy demeanor turned to fear as he saw my face. I grabbed his shirt cuff and dragged him into an alley. I slammed him against the curb. "Listen...PLEASE!" I punched him in the stomach. He stumbled, back into a brick wall. I jabbed his face again
And again
And again
And again
A hand went on my shoulder. It was Jim. "Thomas...is this what Bruce would want?" Tears welled my eyes. I let him go. He hummed through a broken jaw and blood filled mouth "I...sawwry..." I left and got back to the car, leaving Jim with joe.
On the way back Alfred gave a call. "Master Thomas...its...its Martha..." My heart raced. "Don't worry. I'm on my way. Call Dr Elliot. We may need to send her." "Of course sir"
I ran upstairs to the bedroom. Martha was still sitting. "Martha I...I killed him". She didn't move. She stopped breathing. Then she turned around. "See Thomas?" She said with an odd glee "I'm smiling". Her mouth was covered in blood, cuts around her mouth. The only thing holding her front face together was a set of staples. Dr. Elliot ran in. "Thomas! I came as soon as- oh my god..." Martha began to laugh. And laugh until the whole manor was filled with it. "I'm sorry Thomas bu-" I stopped him. "It's ok. She needs it." Dr. Elliot motioned for 2 men in arkham uniforms to motion in on her. She cut one with a razor. Martha didn't stop laughing. They grabbed her and put her into a straight jacket. "HAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHHAAAAAA! This won't hold me! I guess this puts a WRAP on our relationship Thomas! AaahahahahahahaAHAHAHAHAAHA!" I stopped. I didn't listen to Dr. Elliot give me the report. I didn't hear the struggles of Martha. I didn't hear Alfred drop a plate in fear. I just heard the rain. Only the rain.
They took Martha away to arkham. Alfred and I sat outside on a bench. We talked a lot. About Martha and the company. Afterwords, the family came for the funeral. We held our heads in silence. For Martha. For Bruce. For the lost family. I was still there. I swore that day to bring justice to the people. To the city. No more Bruce Wayne's. No more Martha's. I will avenge this city.