Falling Down (TWS)

> Vic 'the Slick' Monroe

"It's Vic. Vic Monroe", I decide on something simple, deciding that trying to make up my own nickname this early without having earned it would be both silly and pretentious.

I begin to move amongst the terrified crowd, indifferent to their fear. I'm not planning on killing anyone today, if I can help it. The man who asked my name plus another begin to take money and valuables from the hostages. The last beckons me over, and we take care of the cashiers. He dumps a pre-prepared bag for the money while I cover him with the gun. I don't even know how much ammo it carries, showing just how inexperienced I am. But I remember the revolver tucked away under my coat, the last old friend I had. I knew it was reliable from our long history together.

Three minutes in and we're almost ready to get away. We don't bother with the safe, there's no need to get greedy, or stupid. They won't open it for us, and we don't have the gear or time for that kind of job. We each shoulder a load of the loot and make for the door.

But just as we try to leave, someone bars our path. Tall, wearing a hat and scarf, and seemingly massive in stature. A thick padded overcoat makes them indistinguishable, and not even our raised guns make them flinch.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of our way."

I follow the others' lead, pointing my gun at them. The stranger just stands there.
I can tell our leader is nervous, the cops would arrive soon and surround the bank, nor do we know of a back door. He swallows his nerve and opens fire.

A volley of bullets slam into their torso. They don't even flinch.
Something in my stomach drops. I'd heard the rumours, never thinking them to be true.
The rumour of an unknown bulletproof vigilante that could withstand as much damage as a Sherman tank. It seemed impossible, but there they were, stopping them from leaving.

They stride forward, not threatened by our now meagre looking weapons. We each open fire, walking backwards by reflex. I wonder just what the hell their next move is, wondering if this was the end.

But then I notice that my gun has stopped spitting bullets. That's when something struck out at my foot. I feel weightless just before falling backwards.

And then it all went dark.