Jason

I took cover behind a large crate, hurriedly shoving two new clips into both of my handguns. I looked over the edge and fired off a couple of shots. I managed to snag one of the guys, but it wasn't enough.

"Come on out!" One guy shouted, his accent heavy and his English clipped. Thinking to myself, I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"You know I can't do that," I said, smirking. I popped up for a split second and shot down two more guys. Before I knew it, they were replaced with more thugs carrying automatic weapons. I groaned. 

Pausing to check all my other ammunition, I glanced to my side. A grenade winked at me. "Oh shit," I mumbled just as it exploded. I was blown back a couple of feet. The gang took its opportunity to gain distance on me. I rolled away and took off running.

Shots were fired after me, nipping at my ankles and bouncing off of my armor. I desperately fired over my shoulder, hoping that at least one bullet would meet a target. I could outrun most of the gang members, but I had a feeling that they wouldn't let me get away easily. 

I slung the stolen bag tightly around my chest. I smirked, sliding into an open sewer. I slammed the cover over myself and crashed down. I landed in a river of...well, shit. "Well, shit," I mumbled to myself, standing to my feet. I was covered head to toe in sewer gunk. I didn't even want to think about what I smelled like.

I heard some struggling from above. The gang fired bullets at the sewer cover and shouted in Mongolian at me. They tried to pull on the cover, but ultimately failed. "We will find you, Red Hood!" They shouted above surface.

"You can try," I said, smirking to myself. I waited until I heard the sounds of their heavy feet retreating. 

Continuing, I walked through the sewers. It was more or less pitch black. The sounds of rushing water and tiny footsteps added to my discomfort. I had never been more thankful for thick boots. My feet squished as I walked. I tried to put my environment out of my mind. 

Pulling up my computer, I let the holographic light clear out the darkness. I pulled up a map of the sewer system. Apparently, I was in the middle of the sewers. I needed to get back to my safe house. And I definitely needed a shower.

I followed the map. As I walked, I also researched the gang that had chased me. They were very underground, yet very prevalent in Eastern Asia. They controlled almost all of Mongolia and even poured into a bit of Russia and China. The Mongols had an extensive drug and human trafficking market. They also sold and bought weapons around the world. 

I patted the bag across my chest. I had stolen their database after uploading it all onto a USB from one of their computers. All it took to break into their "impenetrable base" was a couple of punches and explosions. It was all too easy for me. 

With all the information I had stolen, I could either manipulate the hell out of the Mongols or turn them over to the authorities. I figured that if I gave them to the police too early, they would find a way to secure their slaves before I could free them.

I would have to wait.

Arriving at an exit, I climbed up a latter and placed a small explosive on the manhole cover above me. It drew a little bit of attention when I crawled out, but I just moved on. I safely unlocked my safe house using my password and retina pattern. 

Once inside, I checked all around the room for any intruders. Lucky for me, I was completely alone. I slowly removed my helmet, placing it on the floor in front of the windows. I pressed the button on the side. That way, if anyone tried to break in through the windows, my helmet would act as a trip mine and immediately blow up. 

I jogged to the shower. I placed my bag in a locked safe and shut the bathroom door. I took a look in the mirror. "Wow," I said out loud. I was almost completely brown. The only exception was my face, which was sweaty and bruised, but not covered in waste. My clothes were soaked and filthy. After removing them, I took a curious whiff. "WOW! Oof," I mumbled, backing away. I opened the door and kicked the clothes outside with the tip of my boot. 

I hopped in the shower. I let the water rinse all the horrid smells away. Not that I was planning on anything special, but it was nice to smell nice. 

I dried myself off and got into some comfy sweatpants. I collapsed onto my bed. For a moment, I buried my head into my pillows and laid face down. "Ughhhh," I groaned. This entire mission felt like it had lasted years. I was tired, if I was being honest. I was tired of the crowded, dirty, dark Mongolian city. I was tired of the nasty, evil, angry Mongolian gangsters. I was tired of all the bruises, cuts, and injuries I had picked up. I just wanted to go home.

Once the thought entered my mind, I sat up. What even was my home? I thought on it. I had a strong feeling I wanted somewhere to go, somewhere to be, but I had no idea where or what that place was.

Gotham wasn't my home. After what I had done, Gotham and the people in it was definitely not where I belonged. So, where could I go? Where could I finally get some rest?

I ran my fingers through my hair and thought about Athena. There had been a time where I might've believed that she was my home. I had thought, if even for a brief moment, that I belonged with Athena. But, the feeling was fleeting. We both knew that she was meant for someone else. 

Ever since I left Gotham, I had been keeping to myself. My days were filled with missions to keep me busy. I realized that I never really developed a set objective yet. I was just moving around the world, doing whatever I wanted. It was nice but also, kind of....

...lonely. I had had short flings, of course, but I was alone for the most part. I didn't mind being alone. Being left with my thoughts was perhaps the most peaceful thing I could do. When I was constantly in contact with the worst people to ever walk the Earth, it helped to be secluded with only my mind to keep me company.

Yet, my mind also betrayed me. Horrible memories ans thoughts often plagued me, forcing me to remember traumas that I would much rather keep locked away. It was times like those when I often started to seek out other people to keep me distracted.

Most of the time, I was able to keep my psyche in check. 

Tonight, I sat on my bed and opened my laptop. I had placed a tracker on the main Mob boss. I had a theory where they had been keeping the victims, but hadn't exactly pinpointed the location. I watched as the boss led me straight to them.

Slipping new, clean gear on, I grappled out the window and raced to the location.

On the outskirts of town, there was an underground warehouse directly above an airstrip. I took out all the bodyguards and placed explosives on every entrance. With a yawn, I detonated them and charged inside.

Within an hour, I had fought my way inside. Lines of cages were packed full with desperate looking people. Some cages had parents clutching their children. Some had orphans quietly sobbing to themselves. 

"It'll all be okay," I whispered in Mongolian. The people all looked up at me with sad, beedy eyes. I could only imagine what they had been through.

"You!" Some beefy asshole shouted, charging me. I deflected all his moves with ease. Getting a bit fatigued, I pulled out my guns and began shooting anyone who got close to the cages. When more guards started to charge in, I quickly released the victims and directed them to the exit. 

Staying behind, I began tossing grenades like footballs. I ushered all the victims out of the warehouse. When they had all escaped, I launched a rocket at the ceiling. It collapsed, killing whoever had been left inside. 

Everyone gathered outside. I began to instruct all the older captives to go to the hospital closest to the city and to use a special number to contact the higher ups. 

"I will kill you!" The mob boss screamed, firing his gun at me. The captives yelped, but I ordered them to take off. I shrugged my shoulders and quickly fired a bullet straight into the mob boss's head. He collapsed. Dead.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the number of the US ambassador stationed near Mongolia. "Red Hood here, I just released some human trafficking victims near Mörön. Make sure they are met with safety and care." I hung up and stared at my phone. 

I looked through my phone list. I had hundreds of missed calls. I saw unread texts from Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Athena, and many other old allies. I smiled small to myself before hitting a button.

Delete all.