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Publisher |
DC |
Artist |
Damion Scott |
Writer |
Kelley Puckett |
Inker |
Robert Campanella |
Colorist |
Jason Wright |
Letterer |
John Costanza |
Published | October 2001 |
Batgirl is on patrol in Gotham City, as usual, but tonight has a secret significance for her: it is August 8th, the anniversary of her first and last murder, of Faizul. Determined to atone for this act, she has sworn, "nobody dies tonight." Hearing a report on the radio that convicted murderer Billy Ray Blackwell is scheduled to be executed at midnight, she decides that her oath requires her to break him out of jail. In Blackgate Penitentiary, Billy Ray is eating his last meal, the French fries giving him a flashback to the French fries that scattered on the floor of the fast food restaurant where he strangled the teenage cashier to death, when she had caught him in the act of robbing the register. As he is led to the gas chamber, the only witnesses are the Warden, a priest, and the victim's mother. Before the switch is thrown, Batgirl enters the execution chamber, shatters the glass, and releases him from the fatal chair. Overpowering the guards with ease, she hustles Billy Ray into the hallway, only to be faced with the victim's mother, who tells her to put Billy Ray back so he can pay for what he did. Speaking of herself as much as Billy Ray, Batgirl says, "Maybe he changed." The mother responds, "Maybe he did. But my little girl is still dead." Realizing that nothing can erase the murder she committed, Batgirl surrenders Billy Ray to the guards and leaves. Just before midnight, Billy Ray is back in the gas chamber. He suddenly asks the guard to wait, but the switch is thrown and he inhales the lethal gas.