•Peace•

•Chapter Twenty-Three•

Jason tossed books aside with a vigor. Not only had the bookshelves collapsed, but so did a wooden beam fall from the ceiling.

She had to be in this spot. He knew it.

He didn't know how he knew it, he just did.

His gloved hands tore through the mess, knowing he wouldn't be strong enough to lift the shelves alone. Especially since they had fallen on each other.

He didn't have time to get every shelf moved.

The blast from the Joker had only happened 45 minutes ago. He didn't realize how bad it was until he saw the damages on store fronts near the explosion. And then he started recognizing the streets and buildings..

Dread had set in, and he had turned back to the Joker, determined to finish this and go check on Percy.

And May.

But Bruce..Batman, refuses to kill the joker.

After everything he's done, after proving he's too powerful to merely lock up, as he escapes every. Single. Time.

This was one thing Jason and Bruce could never agree upon. The Joker needed to be killed. It was time for Gotham to be free of the terrorizing clown.

But not today. Jason was too impatient to deal with the aftermath of possibly killing the Joker. Especially Bruce's rage.

He needed to make sure Mays shop was okay.

Jason stepped forward, but Batman held his hand out, signaling a stop.

Jason knew that under Batman's mask, Bruce would be glaring knowingly. Knowing what Jason wanted to do.

The joker stood mere feet away, grinning maniacally.

And there was silence. It was a stand still.

And all he had to do was shoot him.

The Joker knew it, and the Joker grinned because he knew he wasn't in any real danger.

Against a dozen superheroes, all of Batman's family and even Wonderwoman, who had come to assist.

And he knew he was invincible.

Jason hated that thought. He wished for one moment, that everyone could agree to break the no killing rule. That there would be no consequences.

The world would be a better place without him!

But no.

Jason didn't have time for this.

If they were all just going to stand here, he was going to go check on Percy.

Jason stepped backwards, back towards where everyone else was standing their ground and continued stepping backwards until he was behind them. 

Jason noticed Batman staring at him.

Most likely wondering why Red Hood had stepped away. What plans Red Hood could possibly be making to mess things up.