Bell

Bell lazily drifted through the sky, idly bouncing a baseball in his hand and enjoying the comforts of being a superhero. Of course, it came as no surprise when a spotlight bearing his image lit up the evening sky. With a lackadaisical sigh, he floated down to see which citizen needed his help. 

The alleyway was dark and grimy, no place for a little old lady to be walking alone at night. Bell landed with his cape billowing gallantly behind him, and with an unenthused snap of his fingers, the robber was lying prone on the ground.

The robber didn’t fight it as Bell strode forward and plucked the purse from his twitching fingers. The little old lady took her purse and planted a kiss on his cheek before scurrying off into the cold night air. 

“Am I going to jail?” the robber presented his wrists automatically. 

Bell stared sightlessly for a few moments, then shrugged. “Eh. Took you last month and it didn’t really help.” Bell turned, and waving over his shoulder he said, “I’ll just see you next week.” He bent his knees and prepared to take off.

“Wait, wait, wait. What’s up, man? You aren’t as uh…gung-ho as you usually are.”

Bell stopped. He lowered hands, effectively canceling his lift-off, and stood still for a few moments. With a sigh, he took a seat on a mildewed trash can and shrugged. “I dunno Tim. Just not feeling this whole ‘superhero’ thing anymore.”

Tim the Robber pushed himself upright, doing his best to ignore the mysterious moist substance that coated his back. “Are you shittin’ me? You’re Tarkana’s number one badass. Do you know how much damage I could do if you didn’t pummel me every week?”

Bell thought for a few silent moments. “Yeah, you’re right,” he said with a smile. He punched the air, causing Tim the Robber to fall back clutching his bloody nose. He squirmed on the ground for a while until the pain subsided. “That’s more like the Superhero Bell I know,” Tim the Robber breathed. 

Bell’s smile faded. “That’s the superhero I used to be. I don’t feel so ‘super’ anymore. I’m like thirteenth on the list now.”

“Eh, don’t let those new superheroes get to ya. They’re more concerned about that internet fame.” Tim the Robber got to his feet and leaned against the wall next to Bell. “You’re a good-hearted guy, Superhero Bell. You actually make the world a better place.”

“You think?” Bell felt a genuine smile spread across his face. 

“Yeah, man! Why do you think our crime rate’s so low? You give me and my buddies a run for our money every week.”

“Yeah…you’re right…I am pretty great, aren’t I?”

“That’s more like it!” Tim winked at Bell. He pushed off the wall and started backing out of the alley. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a purse to steal.”

“I’ll give you a thirty second head start!” Bell yelled. Tim the Robber winked and sprinted out of the alley. Bell smiled to himself, and for the first time in a long while, he realized he really could change the world, one little old lady at a time.