RNP 112. That bad day
112. That bad day
"Master Bruce, are you going out again tonight?"
Alfred asked as he took the elevator to the Batcave.
The old butler thought that after successfully stopping the Shadow Warrior Alliance, Batman could take a break.
"See the searchlights on the top of the Gotham Police Department? This city needs me."
Bruce, who had already changed into Batman uniform, said this.
Although the Shadow Warrior Alliance was wiped out and Talia al-Ghul was imprisoned in Blackgate Prison, Gotham did not regain peace.
As Leo said while standing on the roof of the Wayne Group that night, fear will evoke the bad memories buried in people's hearts, stimulate their subconscious impulse to release violence, and open the floodgates of accumulated emotional torrent.
After the spread of fear gas in the city, Gotham's crime rate began to soar.
And Batman's work at night has become busier.
The only good news may be that the Gotham Police Department gradually recognizes Batman's existence.
After the tragic death of the Los Angeles police chief, Gordon was naturally promoted and raised his salary, leaping from police detective to leader of the police force.
As for the newly appointed Director Erin, she is not as hostile to Batman as the previous one.
Not only did he order the disbandment of the task force, but he also acknowledged that Gordon, who was already a hero of the police force, built a huge and bright bat searchlight on the roof of the building.
In short, at least when Batman goes out, he no longer has to think about how to escape from the police.
The roaring engine sounded in the Batcave, and the huge steel beast-like car rushed out of the water curtain of the waterfall and roared towards Gotham in the distance.
…………
In the dark night sky, a bat-like light and shadow appeared.
Holding a cup of hot coffee, Gordon leaned on the edge of the rooftop and stared at the bustling city beneath him, with its busy traffic and bright lights.
Time is a good medicine that erases everything. Even after the invasion of the Shadow Warrior Alliance, people seemed to quickly forget about it.
As if that dark night full of fear never happened, everyone went on with their lives as usual.
Dengdeng!
Batman raised his hand and tapped the searchlight, waking Gordon up from his wandering thoughts.
"How did you come up with this?"
Batman asked in his usual husky voice.
"Before Mr. White left, he said maybe I could get a Batman symbol to let people in this city know that he is everywhere when night falls!"
Gordon lowered his head and took a sip of hot coffee, and said forcefully: "I think he is right. The existence of Batman can make citizens dare to go out at night and make them feel safe walking in dark alleys."
"You have changed the current situation in this city. The police no longer collect bribes openly, gangs have restrained their unscrupulousness, and people have seen a glimmer of hope."
"not enough."
Batman shook his head.
What he did was not enough to bring Gotham to a better tomorrow.
This is just the first step.
Next, a more complete plan is needed.
He had an in-depth conversation with Leo before he left Gotham.
Simply relying on masked heroes and vigilantes to maintain justice is obviously unrealistic and difficult to achieve.
This requires the help of justice. Fortunately, Gordon is willing to help him.
"What's Batman's mission tonight?"
Gordon turned sideways and looked at Gotham under the night. In the corners where bright lights could not shine, evil happened from time to time.
"I will go to Naihe Island to take a look."
Batman replied succinctly.
Although the Falcone family has re-entered, it is not an easy task to establish stable order in that mixed slum area.
"Naihe Island? That place is indeed a mess. Not only Naihe Island, but also after the Maroney family was imprisoned, Sullivan's Island was also invaded by a gang..."
Gordon held the paper cup in both hands and turned to look behind him, only to find that Batman had disappeared.
As if he was used to this situation, he lowered his head and smiled.
Looking up at the bat projection on the night sky, Gordon's eyes showed a look of anticipation.
The bright future he longed to see is now becoming a reality step by step.
"The bad days are over."
The police detective said sincerely.
…………
"a terrible day……"
A frowning man stood by the sewage pool of the chemical plant. The dirty, green, smelly pool distorted and blurred his figure.
Today was undoubtedly a long and difficult day for him.
A failed comedian, for the sake of his pregnant wife and soon-to-be-born child, fearfully turned to crime.
If this part were made into a movie, it would probably be a common routine in Hollywood police movies.
The helplessness of the little characters, coupled with the constraints of family ties, gives two completely different endings.
Either he wakes up and welcomes redemption; or he gives up crime and returns to his family.
But life is often more absurd than stories and requires no logic.
Just a few hours ago, the police found the man and told him sad news.
It was as if fate had told a cold joke. A husband lost his wife, and a father lost his unborn child.
The only thing the man gained was that he was about to embark on the road of crime with two robbers.
The sarcastic laughter seemed to be lingering in his ears, the reason why he was reduced from a failed comedian to an accomplice of a robber.
I just want to pay the rent and move my pregnant wife to a more comfortable place. I don’t have to endure the damp and cold shabby house anymore, and I don’t have to endure the cold and scornful eyes of the landlady.
Men think they don’t ask for much, but life is stingy in giving.
And also took away the only thing he had from him.
Family and hope!
"It's so bad..."
He murmured quietly, immersed in the memory of his wife.
But the two accomplices didn't care. They just wanted this improvised comedian to lead the way into the chemical plant and complete the deal!
"Dude, don't think about what has happened. You are going to be rich soon!"
The tall and thin man put a barrel-like red hood on the man's head. This was a symbol chosen when the gang committed crimes before.
Criminals in Gotham are always like this. Unlike other places, they can just put on black stockings and pick up a gun to rob a bank.
Instead, choose some symbol that represents you, such as a question mark-like cane and a green suit, or a scarecrow-like mask and fear gas.
The same goes for the Red Hood gang.
Even though they are just a third-rate gang, members who are inferior to others.
But little gangsters also have dreams. Maybe one day the Red Hood can become a symbol representing Gotham's criminals like the Penguin and Black Mask.
"Don't underestimate this red hood. There are two red lenses made of double-sided mirrors. They won't block your sight. It's a very clever design, isn't it? Only the most important people in the gang will be allowed. Put it on."
"Yeah, man, this is your debut, don't screw it up!"
The man put on the red hood, his vision turned red, and the sounds he heard were blurred.
"You said there is no security on the perimeter. We can take the opportunity to sneak into the factory owner's office - there is a safe there, right?"
The two accomplices cut through the barbed wire, thinking only of the money in the safe.
The man nodded, and his words seemed to have an echo in the red hood, buzzing: "Yes... I remember it correctly."
"Probably not! Brother, you have to make sure it's right!"
He moved forward as if being held hostage by his two accomplices, like a puppet on strings.
After his wife met with an accident, he originally wanted to quit, but no matter how much money he made, it was meaningless.
But fate will not ask for your consent. The torrent carries the little people who are unable to resist and continues to roll forward.
Bang!
The man stumbled ahead, and when he passed the filter tank, a gunshot rang out.
He looked around nervously, but could only see blurry images.
Immediately afterwards, I heard the two accomplices cursing continuously, as well as the calls of security guards and the sound of shooting.
"Damn it, didn't you say there was no security?"
"For God's sake, this idiot has messed up again!"
The three panicked people ran away like headless flies, and then the tall and thin man was shot and fell to the ground.
"You...don't catch me! He is our boss, he is the Red Hood!"
The frightened short man screamed. Although the man couldn't see the expression on his face clearly, he knew from his words that he had been betrayed.
"I'm not……"
The security guard did not listen to the stupid thieves' excuse and continued to shoot.
The man hurriedly ran onto the steel frame of the chemical plant pool, his steps stumbling and panicking.
He didn't understand why--
Why did his accomplice betray him, why did his pregnant wife encounter an accident, why... he lost everything!
That harsh and sharp sneer seemed to ring in his ears again.
It was low at first, then it got louder.
Like an electric drill, the rumble echoed in my head.
The man ran as hard as he could to avoid the bullets behind him, and even more, he wanted to stay away from this nightmare.
Maybe when you wake up, everything will be back to normal...
"Don't come over here...I didn't do anything, it's not true!"
The gunfire suddenly stopped, and the man saw a strange bat in his red vision.
The pointed ears stood up high, the cloak looked like wings, and it seemed to have sharp claws. The whole image was distorted into a demon in hell.
And the other party is approaching me!
The man was talking incoherently. He kept backing up until he hit the railing, lost his balance, and fell into the waste water of the factory.
"Puff"!
After a short fall, we reached the end!
A cold and suffocating feeling enveloped him, floating with the current.
The dark environment and the pungent stench made me feel like I was drifting in the dead river of hell until I fell from the sewage pipe.
The man gasped and climbed ashore. He used all his strength to peel off the red hood on his head. Itching and burning spread on the surface of his skin.
"I have to take off this helmet so I can..."
The man who was kneeling down in the mud suddenly stopped talking.
He stared blankly at the blurry reflection in the puddle, as if a taut string suddenly broke, and some fragile belief collapsed.
This nightmare day took away everything the man held dear, and then shattered the world he once lived in.
He looked around blankly, and everything he saw was like fragments of a mirror, no longer complete!
Twisted, crazy, evil...
The chaotic emotions boiled and screamed, letting loose in the mind.
The man held his hair tightly with both hands, and the events he experienced this day flashed back in front of his eyes as fast as being edited.
"I messed up a joke..."
"Man, the opportunity to make a fortune is coming..."
"Sir, your wife..."
"Get him! He's the Red Hood!"
"I'm not……"
Memories came up like a cold tide, slowly covering his entire body, and finally engulfed him.
A low laugh came from the man's mouth, and the corners of his mouth moved upwards, as if he had heard a great joke.
Breathy laughter, whimpering laughter, hoarse laughter, as if squeezed out of the throat.
The man looked towards Gotham in the distance. It stood quietly, emitting bright light as usual.
I don’t know how long it took before the laughter gradually died down.
This bad day is finally over.