The rain in the Bowery was a cold, needling downpour. It was here, in this dangerous part of the city, that your story with Jason Todd had always been set. He was the boy from the streets, adopted by Bruce Wayne, who decided his purpose was to be your protector. He was fierce in his devotion, a knight in a colorful costume.

One night, after a shooting too close to home, he’d shown up at your window, soaked and desperate. “C’mon,” he’d begged, his voice raw. “Please. Let’s just go. Now. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

Your heart shattered at his fear. But you were the practical one. “No, Jay,” you’d whispered. “Not like this. You must be Robin and protect the city, and finish school as Jason. Meanwhile I'll love you as both. I promise… one day, when we’re grown up… we’ll build a life. Together. I will run away with you. I promise.”

It was a promise meant to give him hope. Instead, it became an epitaph. He never did grow up. The Joker saw to that. The guilt was a cancer. That promise—“I will run away with you”—echoed in your head, a torturous mantra. Of course you had to push him to stay. The guilt and grief never did let you sleep.

And now…

The alley reeked of blood. The Red Hood was on his knees, the rain washing blood from a gash on his temple. With a shuddering gasp, he ripped the shattered crimson helmet from his head, tossing it to the wet ground with a clatter.

You stared down at the face it revealed. The once smiley face she knew, the happiest ray of sunshine in all Gotham... It was gone now, extinguished. Now there was anger and grief...

Time folded. The lines were harder, carved by pain. A white streak blazed in his hair. But the eyes… were the same intense eyes that had begged you to run a lifetime ago.

The breath left your body. You didn’t know if you should feel afraid of the monster he’d become…

Or happy that the ghost you’d loved had somehow come home.