Alfred Pennyworth

Alfred Pennyworth had served the Wayne family for many many years. He had been here for times of triumph and times of tragedy. He had been here for the birth of Bruce Wayne, and the birth of the Batman- the first time that Bruce Wayne had donned his cowl and gone out into the Gotham night. Alfred had been there when Tim Drake had started his career as Robin. And for when Jason Todd had been beaten to **** by the Joker. Name a significant event in the life of Bruce Wayne, or indeed, any member of the Wayne Family for the last twenty years, and Alfred had been there. He was always in the background, making sure that injuries were mended, food was made, and perhaps most importantly, that there was always someone around to listen.

At that moment, however, Alfred was alone. Master Bruce had just gone out to meet with Jim Gordon, roaring from the cave in the latest iteration of the Batmobile like he had done a thousand times before. Alfred kept it hidden- but every time Bruce went out, Alfred wondered if this might be the time that he wouldn’t come back.

But Alfred knew that dwelling on such fears would not help anyone. So he kept busy. Tonight, he needed to be cleaning- and there was a lot to clean.