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Time doesn't run out for everyone.
In a world full of Gods and monsters and magic is it really a surprise that not everyone dies? Of course there are also aliens and things from outer space that we couldn't quite comprehend. But sometimes it's actually more simple than that. That there was the possibility of a collection of people that didn't quite qualify as monsters or gods or even aliens.
They were simply immortal.
They would have to live on to see those closer to them die around them and that kind of life just seems depressing. There was no doubt that if something like that were to happen to a normal person or someone who thought they were normal it would ruin them. So why by all fates did the random gamble of knowing someone had the opportunity of having a normal life go out the window due to one kidnapping. It took one bad day and normalcy went out the window.
Duke was 15 when his parents and himself were kidnapped by the Joker. That same day he watched both of his parents get drugged by a erotic masochistic clown who got off on people's pain. Everyone had to suffer if he wanted his joy and play time. He wasn't a chaotic clown, he was an asshole and made it everyone else's problem. That was the same day he started learning about something that was wrong with him.
Duke wouldn't be lying that back then he would have wanted to die. He would have rather taken the coward's way out as they say instead of suffering all that. But he didn't get unveiled and ended up learning so much more about himself. The only problem with that is that he learned so much in such little time that he didn't realize he didn't need to rush it. He didn't value that time as much as he wished he did.
"Hello there sunny! You know you remind me of my son?" Duke chuckled the book as an older lady in a wheelchair started rolling her way towards them. He sat back in his chair watching her try to steady her chair in one position.
"Is that so? Is your son a charmer?" Duke got her to crack a smile. Though the wrinkles around her cheeks were so indented from smiling so much.
"That boy has so much sass I don't even think he couldn't have a single uncharming quality about him. Though that boy does not come visit me as much as he used to. I'm still waiting for my birthday party! I am still young. He should give me a cake." She spoke before removing her blanket from around her legs to reveal a basket full of arts and crafts supplies. He could have sworn that she used up all that yarn but it turns out that she hadn't even touched it yet.
"I bet he'll give you one of the finest cakes you can find. What are you working on today?" Duke leaned in to see what she was knitting. She was always working on a new project every time he came to visit. She chuckled before probably pulling up what seemed to be a scarf made out of gold wool.
"Just a little something something. That boy always complains that he's cold! You would think that since he's such a hot head he wouldn't have any problems keeping himself warm but he never listens. You know how kids are." She grinned before putting on her glasses to start knitting away. She's definitely fast with her hands despite her age. "Now tell me about one of your adventures! You did finish the story last time."
Duke grinned to himself before trying to remember what exactly he did tell her last time. She always loved when he told her stories about his travels around the world. Even talking about how she used to be a traveler and that's how she ended up with her son. Wandering the world is definitely something full of mysteries. Trying to figure out whether it is a good or bad thing is the world's greatest question.
Having all the time in the world soon figures out the answers to all the world's problems. Whether those problems were good or not. There were definitely people that questioned those decisions. Duke wouldn't deny that there were moments where he questioned what he was even doing. But he pushed through just to make it back in time.
He went through the usual routines of finding something that was appropriate enough that he wouldn't get scolded. Playing with a few details but for the most part he spoke about his trip to China. One of his older sisters loved going there, it was her home after all. He used to tell him stories all about it and he wanted to go check it out finally. He had a pleasant time there especially with all the people he could meet.
The other lady in the wheelchair found him and his antics amusing and hummed to certain parts of the story. She was sort of sad that he didn't bring her back a trinket but he promised her that next time he would. By the end of his story she seemed satisfied with her inquiries this time. At least this time he wasn't going to be held at needlepoint for giving an unsatisfactory story.
Never underestimate an older lady and her utensils. She very much knows how to use it especially when that older lady somehow has foresight. If she doesn't like the way a story is going shit is going to start threatening him. Duke couldn't help with chuckle at the thought because she was definitely his favorite patient. But of course that was probably because he was biased.
"I'm sorry Elaine but it's time to go to lunch. Unless you want to stay with her sir?" The nurse looked at him and he looked back at her. They both knew the answer was going to be no, Duke didn't like overstaying his visits.
"I'm sorry Elaine that it seems that I also have to get somewhere. Maybe next time you have the scarf done and I can deliver it to your son?" Duke watched her smiles soften just a bit, just enough for him to see the face that he knows was for the son she remembers.
"Please do! That boy in his '50s and he doesn't even come try visiting me. I have a youngster like you coming to visit me. I swear they are teaching you teens manners that you can't even put into a grown man." She huffed and the nurse chuckled a bit.
Elaine Thomas was a dementia patient when she was so lost she didn't remember Duke. Not in the way that she knew that the person visiting her constantly was him. She warned him that it was going to happen, she had one of her visions before she was taken into the hospital for the third time. He lost her to the Joker guest for a long time but now he's just losing her to natural selection. He wasn't going to get her back.
Immortality was nothing kind.
It was a curse.