Bruce a wink and together they walked toward the main street A man suddenly appeared from the shadows Wallet Jewelry He waved a gun Bruce froze his knees locked That's fine just take it easy The elder Wayne calmly handed Bruce his coat then pulled out his wallet and handed it to the man The thief's hands were shaking his eyes wild I said jewelry He reached forward for Bruce's mother's birthday gift a beautiful strand of pearls Her husband stepped in front of her quickly Hey just a Bang Bruce flinched as his father slumped to the ground Thomas Bruce's mother screamed trying to hold Thomas her husband up Give me that necklace the man shouted Bang His mother lurched and then fell The thief grabbed at her necklace but pearls clattered onto the pavement Bruce stared at the killer's face He memorized every 12
wrinkle and hard edge The man paused briefly and then ran away to the street Bruce sank to his knees beside his parents The next few days were a blur A detective named James Gordon promised to capture the killer Richard Earle Thomas Wayne's second in command at Wayne Enterprises assured Bruce that the business would be waiting for him when he grew up For an eight year old that seemed very far away and not at all real Bruce couldn't stop thinking about that night at the opera It was my fault he told Alfred I made them leave the theater If I hadn't gotten scared you Alfred comforted Bruce No he said Nothing did nothing anyone ever did can excuse that man It's his fault and his alone Do you understand Bruce sobbed I miss them Alfred I miss them so much So do I Master Bruce Alfred replied So do I 13
ONE After his parents deaths Bruce went away for school and he didn't come back to Gotham until twelve years later He had grown into a bitter angry young man You will be in the master bedroom of course Alfred said as Bruce settled in for the night at Wayne Manor It is after all your house Bruce did not like the idea of staying in his parents room This isn't my house Alfred It's a mausoleum A reminder of everything I lost When I have my way I'll 14
pull the thing down brick by brick Alfred turned to face him It was the first time Bruce had ever seen him angry This house Master Wayne has sheltered six generations of the Wayne family It has stood by patiently while you've cavorted in and out of a dozen private schools and colleges As have I The Wayne family legacy is not so easily shrugged off Bruce replied softly I'm sorry to have disappointed you Master Wayne Alfred replied your father was a great man but I have every confidence that you will exceed his greatness Bruce sighed Haven't given up on me yet he asked Alfred's answer was instant and unwavering Never At the sound of a car pulling into the driveway Alfred went down to welcome Rachel Dawes Now assistant district attorney Rachel was going to drive Bruce to the release hearing for his parents killer a small time criminal named Joe Chill Bruce had been planning for this day for years Bruce wrapped his jacket tightly around him and ran down to meet Rachel You look well he said stepping outside 15
