A Letter Left Behind

Alfred brings me a cup of coffee as I sit behind Bruce's desk. On the desktop lies a worn out leather book with a letter I have been instructed to read. I have been avoiding reading it since Alfred first delivered to me in Blüdhaven earlier this month. Now, in Gotham, in a home I left at 17, I look at this book wondering if there is anymore I could learn about Bruce Wayne...Batman.

Dick,

You know my story better than anyone, at least some of my story. The parts I would share. I regret not having shared more with you. You were so young when you came to live me. I never felt like a father nor felt you were like a son. Our partnership...our relationship was on a deeper level. You were my partner, my brother, my family. I should have shared more. I should have done a lot more but such is our lives bound to role of our masks. And if you are reading this note then you know that Bruce Wayne is no more.

You know how the story begins. You've pieced it together by the police reports. A family of three leave a showing of the Mark of Zorro. Man robs them in the alley, suspect named Joe Chill. During robbery, victim Thomas Wayne steps forward and is shot followed by the shooting of Martha Wayne. 9 year old son Bruce witnessed the events.

It is true, one single instant in a person's life can change their entire lives. My life was changed that night. As a boy, my mother and father were murdered before my eyes. I dedicated my life to stopping that criminal, regardless of the forms or faces he wears. I remember the first night I put on my mask. I went out into the streets and received a beating as I tried to stop a mugging. When I returned, Alfred shook his head and began to stitch me up.

As I sat there in my father's chair, a bat flew through the window. It was as if my father had sent it to remind me. Remind me of the fear I felt when the bats from the nearby cave swarmed me as I laid in the bottom of a well. I remember saying, "Yes, father. I shall become a bat." Criminals are not a hard group to understand. They are a superstitious and fearful lot. And Batman is their fear.

Yet, as time marched on I became what all criminals, all humans fear, I became alone. Then you came into my life. In you, I found a chance to change. A chance at redemption. A chance to put right what I could never put right. I knew one day I would be happy. I knew one day, because of you, I would win this fight and not have to fight anymore. Because of you.

I struggled reconciling the need for a partner and that partner being you. I desperately wanted for you a life that did not require a mask. I wanted you to live freely. I did not want you bound to the same promise I was. I swore on the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring against all criminals. You were not sworn to that oath. But you were cut from the same cloth.

I knew the loss of your family would come to haunt you. I knew you would seek vengeance. I knew you would become like me. I knew you would take on a mask. But you're mask was different than mine. I created your mask but you became your own. You kept it light. While you became a man you never left your childhood behind. You were never childish but you remembered the joys of childhood. You kept those joys with you. You helped remind me of what I was so anxious to rid myself of. Yet, I wonder if I robbed you of a normal life. Was it right for me to create a Robin? I still recall the fear I felt when the Joker shot you

I took on a task much larger than myself. My promise to my parents became greater than vengeance, greater than Thomas and Martha Wayne. Greater than Bruce Wayne. My promise became Batman and Batman has become a symbol. Not a bright symbol of hope as Superman is for the people. No. Batman has become the symbol of fear for the criminal because of his promise. Batman is more than Bruce Wayne. I was once vengeance. I was once the night. I was once Batman. But I am Batman no more.

I am hesitant with what I am about to ask. As you read my story. As you recall our history. I hope and pray that you will see what took me 31 years to see. There will always be a need for Batman. The world needs Batman.

With Love and Respect,

Bruce