Hero Chasers (Book 1)

Issue 16 - Easy Picking

"Are you tired of the same old? Your boss got you pulling hairs out, or maybe the in-laws are making you question that divorce? It sounds like you need a holiday, but with so many choices these days, where do you begin? We have just the choice for you; here at Super City, we go one step above the rest, with super attractions like our very own Hero Chaser theme park, Night clubs and who can forget the unforgettable experience of meeting your favourite streamer in person?"

"Throw aside your boring life and become super, super food, super entertainment and a super you! Why wait? Book before yesterday, and you can receive 0.5% on your next trip; kids go double the price! You'll love it. We guarantee you never want to leave, so what are you waiting for? Come visit the city of the future. So etch your place in history at Super City, and remember, when you win, we all win."

****

Gunshots blared out from Super City's bank as shooters burst through the doors, taking out the guards in a split second. "Alright, everyone, this isn't a joke. Get down on the floor and continue to live your super lives. Here, take this and tie everyone up."

Three more robbers stormed in, creating hostages as the main Ringleader approached the counter. Aiming his gun, he began screaming. "I want all the money; hand; hand it over now!"

The clerk held her arms up, whimpering. "We don't have any money, please!"

"Bullshit! Stop messing with me; I want 1 million, no billion dollars right here; otherwise, everyone gets a bullet to the head!"

"Please, we're not lying!" Another screamed. "We don't have money here."

The Ringleader stared blankly, looking at his gang. "What?"

"Don't you know, this is a subscription bank? People store the subs they plan to use on their favourite Hero Chaser."

The Ringleader took his mask off, dumbfounded, snatching a small plastic card that stored the subscriptions. "What the hell is a subscription!?"

"It's a way of supporting your favourite Hero Chaser! The more subs you have at any time, the more perks you get, like discounts at restaurants and exclusive merchandise; you even get priority on transportation if you're a platinum subscriber with the Hero Chasers!"

"Platinum subscriber sounds cool. But how much does that cost?"

"200 subs a month."

"Wait, if each sub is 15 bucks... That's 3k a fucking month!? How many of these shit do you have?"

The clerk hunched down, sobbing. "We have hundreds of gold subscribers, thousands of platinum. Please, don't shoot!"

His eyes lit up as he began howling. "You hear that, boys, 3k a month! So all we have to do is sell this shit at like 50 bucks less, and people will swarm for the products! We're going to be rich."

"More than your wildest imagination, there's only one problem," I smirk, slumped against the counter, moving the small card between my fingers. "You forgot to put your name on it."

"What the fuck!? Who the hell are you?" He shouted, raising his gun to me. "Don't move!"

"Seriously, robbing a bank in Super City of all places? I bet you were a kid who played all his games on the hardest mode." I joke as the Ringleader loses his cool, shooting me. Each bullet bounced off my shield as we both stared blankly. "Seriously?"

Panicked, he went to reshoot me as I moved my finger, a gust of wind blowing the gun from his hand. Dropping down low, I swept his feet, catching the Ringleader's shirt and holding him up. I glanced at him with a smug look as he began shouting. "Don't you dare try anything! My men have everyone at gunpoint. You get what that means, don't you?"