Sucker Punch

Linda Simmons, an elderly woman of 65, was on her way home from her early morning knitting group. Because her mind was set on a new pattern she planned on making, she failed to see the hooded man that approached her. Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed that it was the middle of the summer, and this man had no business being so warmly dressed.

If he was trying to look inconspicuous, he was doing a poor job at it. Everyone he passed gave him confused stares, only to begin walking faster. It wasn't the best of neighborhoods, after all.

Mrs. Simmons didn't see him, and that was why she was the perfect target.

When she was within reach, he extended his arm, and pulled her purse toward him.

Mrs. Simmons made the mistake of pulling back.

They struggled for a second, before the man reached in his pocket, and brought out a knife.

Mrs. Simmons saw it, and immediately let go of her purse.

The robber turned, and made an attempt at running away, but someone blocked his way.

A large someone.

The robber crashed into this large someone, and bounced immediately back. He tried running the other way, but was grabbed under the armpits like a baby, and pinned to the brick wall next to the sidewalk. The large man held him there with one large hand. He raised the other, and flicked the robber in the forehead. His head smacked into the wall, and he was out cold.

The large man let go, and the robber fell to the floor. He bent over, picked up the purse, and handed it to Mrs. Simmons.

She was at a loss for words. "That was incredible. Is there anything I can do to repay you?" she finally said.

The large man looked at her. "Could you spare a dollar?"

***

Benjamin Campbell stood in the McDonald's order line at lunch hour, wondering how he had gotten into this position.

A year and a half ago, he had been a fairly well known boxer, with lots of money, lots of women, and lots of wins.

It had all gone down the toilet on the day that he met Richard Cash (an absurd name, but unsurprising, considering his greedy nature). Cash had promised Benjamin a way to get better. He and a group of underground scientists had fabricated what he had called a "super-steroid".

It had intrigued Benjamin, and he agreed to meet up with Cash at a designated location. There, Cash had given him a sample. It was not the first time Benjamin had used a steroid, but this one was different. He felt like he could punch through a wall. Cash had confirmed this.

Benjamin had agreed to buy it on the spot, and, in doing so, spent nearly all of his money. He knew that he would make the money back, and then some, with the "super-steroid".

He hadn't anticipated getting caught.

Before a match with the reigning champion, Benjamin had juiced up more than he had ever before. Too much so, that he passed out in the first round without being hit.

The doctors had run tests to see what had gone wrong, and, sure enough, the "super-steroid" was discovered.

It made national news, and Benjamin had gone to prison for a year.

When he was let out, he had been left homeless, and with nothing from his previous life.

Or so he had thought.

Being homeless in this city was like standing in the middle of a battlefield; There was danger at every corner.

The first time he had been forced to defend himself, he had been eating a burger he had found in the trash. Another homeless man had shared Benjamin's taste for day old burgers, and was, apparently, willing to fight for it.

The man had approached him with a broken beer bottle, and had swung at Benjamin. Boxing reflexes had kicked in at that moment, and he punched the man in the gut. Instead of falling over, groaning in pain, like a normal person would, the man went flying back about twenty feet.

Benjamin had stuffed the rest of the burger in his mouth, stood up, and walked away, confused as to what he had just done.

After countless more similar incidents, Benjamin formed a theory of his own. The "super-steroids" had given him a power.

Super-strength.

This revelation also came with another: the city was littered with crime, and people were scared of it. If he could save these people using his power, he could simultaneously clear his name and gain money.

Life had been good since then. The people he saved would give him money. The old lady he had just saved had given him ten dollars. A whole ten! That could buy him two bacon clubhouse burgers!

He was next in line, and this was what he ordered. When his order was ready, he picked it up, and sat down at a table in the corner.

He ate slowly, savoring every bite. He was just on his second burger, when someone yelled, "Everybody get down, this is a robbery!"

Benjamin looked up, and saw a man wearing a balaclava, moving a gun back and forth. Benjamin went under his table, taking his burger and drink with him.

The robber turned to the cashier, and demanded all the money. Benjamin had to think of something. He could charge at the guy, but Benjamin was only strong, not bulletproof.

He took a sip from his cup, and looked at it. It gave him an idea. He stood up, set the burger down, and walked toward the soda machine, cup in hand. The robber turned immediately, hearing his footsteps.

"Hey," he said, pointing the gun at Benjamin. "What are you doing?"

Benjamin raised his cup. "Just wanted to get a refill."

The robber lowered his gun. "Oh. Hey, anyone ever tell you that you look like that one boxer that was caught-"

Benjamin punched him in the face, and the robber went crashing through the window thirty feet away.

The manager of the McDonald's came running up to the counter, "That was amazing. How can we ever thank you?"

Benjamin looked at the manager. "A lifetime supply of food?"

"Um... no. How about a toy?" The manager pulled a Littlest Pet Shop kitten from below the counter, and held it out.

"No thanks," Benjamin said, making his way back to his table.

When he sat down, a group of people made their way towards him.

Between everyone screaming Wow, that was awesome! and Can I get your autograph? he heard someone say, "What's your superhero name, man?"

He looked at the person who said it, a boy of about fourteen, and asked, "What?

"What's your superhero name? Every superhero has one," the boy replied.

"Um... I don't know? What do think it should be?"

"How about...,"the boy thought for a moment. "How about Sucker Punch?"

"Sucker Punch," Benjamin chuckled. "I like that."