Batman: Hero of Gotham

4- Nocturnal Creatures

15 years later....

25 year old Bruce Wayne admired bats. He absolutely esteemed them. He learned something new about them every day. His guardian, Alfred, loved that he was able to get him interested in something. He was proud of himself and Bruce of course. Although, Bruce refused to call them bats. He believed they deserved a more extraordinary name than just that. Bruce called them nocturnal creatures. Al didn't very well understand the point in naming them in such a creative way but he always supported Bruce so he went along with it. One day, Bruce was studying bats and Alfred walked in his room. "Still studying them, huh?" Al asked. 

"I will never stop." Bruce said, laughing. 

"I somehow believe that." Alfred chuckled.

"Well, I'm glad someone is here to help me through my journey with these amazing creatures." Bruce got up from his seat and gave Al a hug.

"You know, it's fifteen years ago tonight." Alfred remarked. 

Bruce pulled away. "I know. It's hard not to think about it. I feel bad that we didn't set up a funeral for them. They deserved one."

"They certainly did deserve one. If we had a funeral there would be no open casket. Plus, the police needed to investigate the crime scene so they needed their bodies anyway." Alfred said.

"I want to make him pay. Somehow, I want to find him and kill that sniveling little bastard." Bruce said through gritted teeth.

"Joe Chill is imprisoned and always will be." Al reminded Bruce. 

"Which makes me want to confront him even more." Bruce said.

"You know....that could be possible. I could arrange for that to happen." Alfred replied.

"You could? Is that a good idea?" Bruce asked.

"It might be but it also might not be." Al said.

"Could you actually schedule that to happen? Tonight?" Bruce asked. 

"Possibly. I'll get on the phone with Lieutenant Gordon." Alfred pulled out his phone and dialed in Jim's number. 

"Gotham Police Department." Gordon answered right away. 

"Yes. This is Alfred Pennyworth." Al responded.

Alfred drove Bruce down to Blackgate Prison where Gordon was waiting for them. "Hello Lieutenant." Bruce greeted the officer.

 "Call me Jim." He replied.

 "Are the arrangements made? Is he ready to talk to Bruce?" Al asked. 

"Yes. Follow me." Jim led the two into the entrance of the prison. "Just so you know....it took a lot of convincing to get him to agree to chat with you." Jim said to Bruce. 

"Well, I'm glad you were able to plan this. I appreciate it." Bruce responded to Jim.

"We had to make a bargain with him. We'll let him talk whenever he wants to and say whatever he wants to about whoever he wants." Jim explained.

"This son of a bitch murdered my family! I should be authorized to kill that sicko." Bruce said, angrily. 

"Well, it's the only way he'll talk."  Jim said, shrugging.

"I don't care anymore. Just bring me to him." Bruce replied, frustrated.

"Alright alright. Right through here." Jim opened a door where many police officers were crowding around a desk. Bruce had completely forgotten that Alfred was with them. "How many officers do you want in here with you?" Jim asked Bruce.

"None. Just me and him." Bruce told Jim.

"Are you crazy? That sneaky crook would kill you in an instant if you were left alone with him." Jim's eyes widened in surprise.

"Let me take the risk. He already killed my parents. Get your officers the hell out of here. Please." Bruce begged.

"Ugh...alright. You heard the man. Get the hell out!" Jim ordered his officers to leave for Bruce.

"Thank you." Bruce thanked Jim. He turned to look at the criminal who sat at the desk, handcuffed. The man had his head down and was silent at the moment. Jim and Al exited the room and left Bruce with the murderer that was Joe Chill. Bruce had no idea where to start. There was so much he wanted to ask him. He started off with a simple greeting. "Hello."

Joe raised his head up. "Hi there." His voice sounded exactly the same as it did fifteen years ago.

"Do you know who I am?" Bruce asked him.

"Bruce Wayne. Child of former businessman prick, Thomas Wayne." Joe said.

"Don't call him that. You're lucky I don't rip you apart right now." Bruce furiously said.

"The man said I could say whatever the hell I want. So don't give me that shit." Joe reminded Bruce, making Bruce more angry.

"You know why I'm here, right?" Bruce tried his best not to explode in a fit of rage.

"Of course I do. You wanna know why I killed em. Am I right?" Joe asked.

"Why? Why did you do this to them? To me." Bruce needed to know.

"I'm afraid that's personal business, kid." Joe answered. Bruce immediately marched over to Joe and raised his fist. Joe did nothing to stop him from punching him in the jaw. "Was that really necessary?"

"Tell me why you killed them!" Bruce yelled, punching him again.

"Why should I?" Joe asked with a bloody lip.

"I need to know. I have to know why!!" Bruce socked him again in the nose. "Tell me now!" Bruce punched him again, knocking one of his soiled teeth out along with more blood.

"Fine! I'll tell you!!" Joe spat.

"Start talking." Bruce demanded. Before Joe could start, the door to the room opened and Jim came in.

"Thank god you're here. This lunatic almost killed me!!!" Joe told Jim.

"Shut up, Chill. I know what happened. Bruce had every right to do that to a murderer like you." Jim said and turned to Bruce. "I think you should come with me. Someone is here who you might like to talk to."

"I guess our little 'chat' is over, Wayne. So long!" Joe snickered which made Bruce uncomfortable.

"Who is it?" Bruce said, following Jim out the door.

"You'll see for yourself." Jim said, turning a corner. Bruce already heard the voice of who he was about to meet. It sounded familiar. Bruce peered around the corner and it was revealed to him who it was. The middle aged man was standing up, talking to Alfred who was annoyed at the man's existence. The man spotted Bruce right away and waved at him. He was none other than Carmine Falcone, his father's uncivil partner.