Super Heroes

Chapter 6

Mr. L and Flamethrower met up just after sunset that night to make plans. They had to find out more before another attack happened. Flamethrower suggested the exact thing he suggested the night before, which was to send Mr. L in alone, but Mr. L was quick to shut that idea down, not because he was afraid, but because he didn't see any benefits to it. This would go better with both of them, since it was clear that they were likely to be pulled into action, no matter how cautious they were. 

Mr. L wanted to come up with a more drawn-out plan, but Flamethrower didn't see the need. His exact words were, "Eh, we'll figure it out as we go," which wasn't exactly comforting. Still, Mr. L wasn't about to argue with him. He was in charge after all. Mr. L was just his sidekick.

He never was all that bothered by the term sidekick. Being the main character wasn't something he particularly wanted. Too much attention and responsibility come with it. Perhaps that was why Flamethrower never let people see him upset. There were too many eyes on him. Being the sidekick was not only easier, but he felt like it fit him better too. 

Of course, there were times when he was jealous of his brother. Who wouldn't be? But jealousy was a normal feeling, and it didn't change the fact that he knew he belonged in the sidekick role. He was certain that if Flamethrower was the sidekick and he was the main hero, he'd still be jealous. Perhaps Flamethrower was jealous of Mr. L and his "easier" job. 

Perhaps Mr. L was overthinking again. 

Overthinking is another quality that made him a better fit to be a sidekick. Heroes like Flamethrower can't overthink because they need to act quickly in order to do what's right. But sidekicks have to overthink in order to come up with ways to help their hero. They're allowed to overthink because they're not in the center of the action.

On top of that, sidekicks were expendable. 

That was the main reason Mr. L knew he was born to be the secondary character. If Flamethrower died, everything would fall apart. Mr. L could die hundreds of times and no one would bat an eye. 

Mr. L carefully led Flamethrower back to the secret base he found the other day. The streets were equally as quiet, but the heartbeat in his ears was loud.

"Well, that's quite unfortunate," Count Bleck breathed. "We can't have you going around and sharing any of this, now can we?" 

There was so much terror and dread coursing through his veins. He didn't want to die. He was terrified of dying. It hurt too much. He just wanted to go home, to curl up someplace safe and read. He couldn't show it, though. If he showed the world he was afraid, then the villains would win. He couldn't let them have that satisfaction. 

He forced himself to wear a brave face, even as the darkness swallowed him and dug its nails into his skin. He couldn't let them see what he felt, he couldn't let them know just how afraid he really was. 

"Are you okay?" Flamethrower asked.

Mr. L nodded and quickly shook the memories away, giving his brother a thumbs up, and thankfully Flamethrower didn't ask any more questions. 

Once they made it to the old abandoned factory, Mr. L led Flamethrower around the side and over to the fire escape. Since Flamethrower was so much shorter, Mr. L had to boost him up in order to reach the metal steps. Not that he minded. He followed closely behind, then pointed his brother over to the hatch on the roof. Even though he was sure he was going to be caught again, he still took caution when opening the hatch. He didn't know how he managed to be found out the last time, but a part of him hoped that he just made a dumb mistake somewhere and that it wouldn't happen again. The brothers were prepared for a fight this time, but it would be ideal not to fight at all.