Superheroes 3

11

He got up early and snuck out to the hallway to find something to wear. He hadn't exactly brought clothes suitable for a bank robbery. He pulled out a pair of sweats and a hoodie and returned to the bedroom to get dressed. The guys were still sleeping.

His phone was dead and he looked around for a charger but didn't find one. He should probably leave his phone behind anyway so the police couldn't ping it.

He was scared senseless. This was such a bad idea. Stupid idea! He couldn't back out now.

At seven he opened the door and walked out into the living room. The guys were still sleeping. He walked over to Darren and shook his shoulder.
"Darren, wake up. It's morning. We should get going."

Darren grunted and tried to swap his hand away.
"I'm sleeping."

"It's seven o'clock. We have to get ready." Arthur said.

"Fine." Darren muttered and sat up. He reached for his bong.

"Maybe you shouldn't smoke now? You need a clear head." Arthur suggested.

Darren rolled his eyes at him but he put the bong back on the table at least. He smacked one if his friends legs.
"Get up! We need to get going."

"Already?" The man grunted.

"Yes. I'm gonna take a leak." Darren said and got up.

Arthur took a seat. He was fiddling with his hands. The two guys sat up and yawned.
"Good morning." Arthur said.

They didn't reply. One of them lit the bong and took a drag. Arthur didn't say anything. The two guys shared the bong between them. Darren came out of the bathroom.
"Are you ready?"

"I need to take piss." One of the men said and got up.

Darren picked up the clown masks and gave one to Arthur. His hand was sweaty when he grabbed it.
"Where's the gun?" Darren asked.

"In the bedroom." Arthur answered.

"Go get it then." Darren said and took one himself and shoved it in the back of his pants.

Arthur didn't want to bring a gun but he guessed he needed it if he was gonna rob a bank he got up to fetch it. He put it in the hoodie pocket in the front. 

Ten minutes later they headed out to the car. Darren drove while one if the other guys googled directions after Arthur explained that he left his phone behind.

They arrived at the bank ten minutes before opening and Darren parked the car out of sight.
"Does everyone know their assignments?" He asked.

"Uhm... Can't remember." One of the guys laughed.

"Seriously, Fabio! You and Clive make sure that no one hits the panic button. Arthur takes care of everyone's cellphone and I collect the money."

"Do you have something to put the money in?" Arthur asked.

"Shit, ehm..." Darren said and started to roam through the garbage in the car. He found a plastic bag.
"Got it!"

Arthur sighed. He was so fucked! There was no way they would succeed. Fabio and Clive were both high and stupid. Darren? Arthur started to wonder what he had seen in him.

The clock struck eight. It was time.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this." Arthur said in panick.

"We are doing this. Masks on." Darren said.

The others put on their clown masks. Arthur fumbled with his. Darren started the car and drove up to the bank. They drew their guns and got out. Arthur's brain had stopped working. He went along.

They ran into the bank. Arthur looked around. There were only three consumers. Thank God for that. Darren pointed his gun at the woman behind the desk.
"This is a robbery. Give me all your money."

Fabio and Clive ran up to the staff and held them at gun point but they were too slow. One of them hit the panic button.
"Damn it!" Fabio shouted and shot her in the stomach. She screames and fell to the ground.

Arthur stood frozen in place. Darren waved his plastic bag in front of the cashier.
"Money! Now!"

Arthur knew they were screwed. In a few minutes the police would surround the bank.
"We need to go!"

"Not without the money." Darren said.

Arthur turned around t run out the door but Clive got in the way.
"Na-ah. No running away you fucking coward."

"We will get caught. Don't you understand?" Arthur screeched. His heart was pounding rapidly.

He could hear the sirens. That was it. They were doomed. Clive locked the front door.
"It seems like this just became a hostile situation. If anyone moves, I'll shoot you."

Arthur back up against a wall. He knew that there was no way he would get out of this.

In the meantime Niall was sitting in the living room and dialed Arthur's number once more and came directly to voicemail.
"It's your dad again. Arthur, call me. I'm worried about you. Please."

The tv was in in the background and he looked up when he heard the reporter mention a hostage situation. After spending decades helping out when needed he was used to pay attention to the news.

Armed robbery at Metro Bank, a few hostages. The police was there. It seemed like a situation they could handle. He was about to change the channel when security footage from inside the bank was shown and his mouth fell open in a silent gasp. He would recognize his son anywhere and unless his eyes were fooling him that was Arthur in a clown mask and a gun in his hand. He moved closer to the tv. It had to be Arthur. It couldn't be! Same shoes. The hoodie he got last Christmas.
"Claire! Hurry! Come look at this!"
He shouted.

Claire came running.
"What is it!"

"Please tell me that's not Arthur!" Niall said and pointed at the screen.

Claire stared at the scene. She clasped a hand over her mouth in utter horror.
"I think it is! What is he doing?"

"I have get there. Save him." Niall said and got up.

"I'll go with you." Claire said.

Niall nodded his head and they rushed out of the house and got in the car. Niall called Dahlia.