Twenty Thousand?

It was finally Friday, and school was finally out for the weekend. Everyone was already on the gram and messaging about the town’s superhero Camel-Toe. He was known for catching the public eye of us fellow high schoolers. I only payed attention to him because he took the sacrifice of not really having a personal or normal identity. He said that if he “Couldn’t protect those who knew him that there was no need…” …for people to care for! I think, wait, I think I paraphrased wrong. It was something related to that though. He had cheetah like reflexes and the ability to spectacularly kick his saboteurs. Nothing compared to him that’s for sure. I knew I sure as damn well didn’t. Jeffrey Don was the name, and I had the ability of being broke and getting the outstanding grade of a… “C-” on my fictional paper. I had no worries though, at least I knew I could walk to and from school knowing that I had a hero ready to protect me from the dangers that lurked this city. Plus, I had Matt who was just walking out of the school building probably ready to clown me for my… um “Super” abilities.

“Yo fool, I know you saw my video that I posted.” He said walking strangely confident with his phone in hand.

“No, I didn’t…” I replied already irritated, “. I hope it wasn’t about my C minus or related to my bank account again Matt.”

“Are you serious? Nobody in this town gives a crap about your less than decent grades kid.” Matthew was a good person. He always said the funny thing at the best times, even if he did get a little bit trying at times.

“No but check it out, yesterday right…” He said pulling up his phone, “I was riding around town after dropping off my female…” I hated his car. “went to the shop to get it painted and stuff…” I hated the color of the car. “and I saw thee Camel-Toe beating up someone’s criminal of an Uncle.” I think I hated his stories more than I hated him having a car; wait, did he just say he saw Camel-Toe, My Camel-Toe, in person? I mean, even though CT was known to us high schoolers, he was a vigilante, an outlaw. I drew pictures of him in my black notebook from history. He dressed in mostly black and was difficult to spot even during the day. The only reason really us juniors, and high school seniors, ever got to see him was because we were out doing teenager like activities with our phones out and ready. Even then, it was rare to even get a glimpse of the Toe on camera. My heart was bubbly at the fact that my childhood friend got to bare witness.

“You ass!” I jolted.

“You got to see him and didn’t tell me sooner!?”

Matthew looking not fully confused, knowing the excitement that was boiling in me, “Jeff, I’m sorry it really was a lot at the time and I really didn’t know who to tell. How about this, I take you home and hopefully we could spot him then… maybe?”

It was a tempting gesture, but I liked walking home and being that close to danger was not the life for me, honestly. I also hated Matt’s car, so I declined his offer.

“I’m gonna still walk Matt, you already know how hard it is to spot him when you are looking for em.” That was the truth and everyone, including the older pedestrians, knew it.

“Alright then, I could still take you home though.” He asked, feeling as if he seriously owed me a ride in his clown car.

“Matt you also know I prefer to walk; my guy.” I replied boastfully and confidently walking slowly off the school campus.

“See you around then Jeff.” He got into his black chromed colored Dodge Challenger and started to drive off. I really hated that car.

Five minutes in of my forty-five-minute walk and my feet were killing me. I normally feel great walking, but today seemed like the worst time for such actions. Few more steps in and I received an amber alert alerting me that my typical route had been blocked off due to Camel- Toe’s arch nemesis the Black Bearer being at large in that area. My typical route would have knocked off twenty-five minutes to my house. But there was no way I was going to be near a bank heist by one of the cities most notorious super villain! Right after, I receive a text from my mother and Matt almost simultaneously. Both asking if I needed a ride. I replied to my mom first to let her know that I would quickly catch a ride with Matt, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be the exact truth. Thirty- five minutes left of the walk and I had already messaged Matt the street I was on. This route was something new for both of us as it was my first time walking it, so I knew Matt was going to take a few minutes before finding a safe route to get through traffic and to me. I take another shortcut, trying to cut off more of the distance to my house; I was now in the downtown area. The only spot of the city that wasn’t corrupted or slightly damaged by the hands of Toe’s enemies. I stop for a minute to give my feet a break. Even though there was danger going on in the city, I felt calm; undisturbed as the nightly breeze passed by face. I was at a complete calm state of –

“SWOOOSH, SKKRRRREEEEET, BOOM, CRRRASSH!” An armored vehicle nearly knocks my face off if it hadn’t have been for a sudden dark object that prevented it from doing so. In the driver seat…was…it was… the BLACK BEARER! He jumped out with a suitcase engulfing it inside of his metal rectum, attempting to get away with his third burglary. The armored truck is burst open by bullets caused by his goons attempting to do the same grabbing as much cash from the truck as possible. My feet almost become frozen as the fear and breeze shake to my shoes. I believe I have soiled myself at this point; but I can’t move, and my fear has reached my spine. Then I see him, vigorously, quickly but yet gracefully taking out goon after goon. It was like witnessing the majestically sprouting of a flower. A flower that is rarely witnessed upon as its slow speed hinders others from having the attention span; but the opposite of that. At this point I ran for my life. I ran into the nearest alleyway hoping I would be shielded. Camel-Toe, having already, finished the goons chases the Bearer, in his fur coat, into the exact spot. I soil myself again, the luck I have. Not knowing what else to do or if my phone works as my back presses against a fence, I grab my disposable camera out of my bag dreaming of the day. Right when my shaking finger began to press on the button, Camel-Toe brings his leg to constrain against the Bearer’s face shattering his steeled bear shaped helmet; only to follow the first with a stronger kick pinning against the Bearer’s arse, freeing the suitcase undamaged into the air. He then finishes by punching the exposed Bearer unconscious, quick enough to leap in the air to grab the case. With the case in his hand he walks toward me broodingly but yet like a model. I put my camera in my bag and began to attempt to climb the fence. I-am-terrified. Camel-Toe thwarts my action with a firm greeting.

“Hey, civilian.”

I freeze.

“This is yours to keep if you are worthy… and willing.” He said in the most serious voice.

Still frozen, “Uhh…” I gulp. “Ummm.” I said still in awe.

“You can probably use it for something useful, helping your mom or something related.”

I then randomly attempt to desperately give him his most famous quote. Realizing the desperate attempt from the viewing of my soiled pants and constant shaking, he interrupts saying it himself.

“I left my normal identity because if I couldn’t protect the people who knew me, then there was no need for that identity at all. It’s a quote I regret at this moment, handing this case of twenty thousand dollars to you.”

“Twenty thousand?” I ask. “But isn’t that stolen money from…the…the bank and stuff?”

“It was originally mine that found its way to the wrong hands, now its yours.” He opened the case poring the rubber banded money inside.

“Now do good with it, it’s all I got.” He said preparing to jet off with his bottom armored shoes. “Hey civilian and remember to look out for your dad. With the crime being down now, who knows, he may visit with a surprise for ya.” With his final words he grabbed the suitcase and bolted off, running like a train in the distance. I was done with walking. I sit down on a bench that was nearby.

Eight minutes go by and the police and bank authorities arrive to clean up the mess. Soon after I see a chrome car pulling on the other side of me with its windows down. “Are-you-serious? Is that piss Jeff?”

I try to defend myself, “I swear he SUPER kicked him, and the money just flew straight out his ass.”

Matthew’s face was at an all-time amazement and shock. He got out of his car and let me explain everything that happened. At this point Matthew has never been quieter. “I even have a pic.” I tell Matthew. Matthew’s mouth drops even lower as we walk to the car.

“Jeffrey, you have money, superhero credit and pants full of urination, correct?” I nod my head.

“There is no way you're riding in my car.”

I began to laugh shuttling the tension in my body. Matt looks down at my pants as he opens the car door and starts the engine letting down the passenger window.

“I’m serious you know.”

I look around at the bank authorities and police escorting the Bearer and his goons in the police vehicles. Then back at Matt realizing his intentions.

“I hate your car anyway.” I reply sitting back down on the bench with my school bag.