Halloween Vault Contest 2018

Not Quite a Hero

 The night was cold as the demeanor Lawrence displayed in his efforts to match the character of the costume he had chosen -- Batman. It was so authentic he was sure Batman himself would be confused if he saw him. But after all that hard work, he was sorely in need of a shot or two at the bar. He walked in, fully expecting to see many others decked out in costume and was not disappointed. In fact, there was a whole table of heroically dressed comic book characters.

Wonder woman waved him over and he waltzed over with a swagger. Halloween had to be his favorite time of year, but this was the best yet. Superman poured him a glass, "On the house for the last time you helped save my behind."

He chuckled along with the mysterious stranger dressed as Superman. The liquid burned his insides making the autumn chill not so bitter.

"There's a football game going on just down the street, why don't we all head over?" Green Lantern asked. Everyone agreed and they left after another round.

Lawrence was feeling a tad tipsy after the last shot of whiskey he'd had. As they headed to the game he teased and laughed with all his new comrades. They bought tickets and sat down to watch, cheering for their own respective teams.

He didn't leave until half-time, at which point, he had heard nature call and headed to the restrooms. When he returned, the stadium was eerily silent. Only a rich, strangled, maniacal laugh could be heard. A man stood wearing a jack-o-lantern on his head. When he removed it, Lawrence felt like he might lose his whiskey. The Joker. Standing there clear as day, and by the looks of the unconscious crowd, this was no joke. The Joker turned his crazed eyes on Lawrence.

"Ah, Bat Boy! It appears I missed one of the crew." He nodded to his henchmen all decked out like clowns. They lumbered swiftly towards Lawrence.

Maybe it was the costume or the alcohol that bolstered his spirits, but he began to run towards them full tilt towards them. Before reaching his mark, both he and the thugs collapsed to the ground, a black blur shooting through the air and landing beside him.

"Looks as though there's been a mishap."

Lawrence's eyes widened.

"Duck!" Batman shouted and Lawrence obeyed narrowly dodging a swing from one of the other still conscious thugs. They fought side by side dodging and swinging, until the thugs and Batman moved out of the way. Lawrence stood paralyzed with shock as Lex Luthor shot a blue ray of energy at him.

Lawrence groaned. He felt sick and his head hurt like an ice pick smashing in his skull. He slowly sat up and looked around. There were sleeping people sprawled everywhere in his room. A cheerleader draped over his couch, a reporter was against his door, a pile of people had smashed several wooden chairs. What had happened?