I see now that I am lost.
I HAVE lost.
I have failed at everything I set out to do.
I made one bad decision long ago, which led to an entire series of disastrous consequences, which can never be undone.
I destroyed another man's life.
I allowed my own life to be destroyed.
In short, I was weak.
And Batman can never, ever be weak.
In writing that, I feel as if I am drawn to a new decision:
I can never, ever be Batman again.
The thought gives me some sense of relief, as if I am finally free of a burden I have carried far too long.
And yet.
And yet, I cannot imagine what my life would be if I was not Him anymore. "Bruce Wayne" exists solely to make Batman possible. What would I do if I had no such purpose? What would I be?
What will I be?