"I have to do this," I think to myself. Too long I, Martin Licata, also
known as "Dog-Man", have loyally assisted my good friend Steve Camps, who is called "Absorption" in "helping" the industrial city of Brecksville. Everyone knows he's just terrorizing the people. I know Steve won't respond, he'll think I'm messing with him like I usually do. But right now, I have to let him know I'm serious. Here he comes. I'm taking my bronze knife, my favorite weapon when fighting crime, in case anything happens. Here goes nothing...

"Steve, we have to talk," I state.

"Not right now, Martin. Look at the news! I'm everywhere! Did you see what I did at that ice-skating rink?" He asked.

"Yes I saw. You absorbed the cold air around the area, melting the ice, to catch someone stealing a ladies purse. Ten people drowned in the process, Absorption!" I hesitate to say what's really on my mind, "This is exactly what I've been meaning to talk with you about," I start, "For years, I have been fighting alongside you, always in the background, watching you "help" this city. Your poor choices have brought Brecksville to its knees, and pretty soon, it will collapse altogether."

"What are you saying, Martin?" Absorption questioned, taking a different tone now.

"What I'm saying is, well, that you need to either change how you handle your abilities when fighting crime, or quit," I answer, following his tone.

"There is nothing wrong with how I fight crime. People love me! Sure a few people die in the process, but their lives are worth losing when it comes to getting the bad guy and looking good to the public," he asserts angrily.

I snap back, "That's where you're wrong, Steve, people only pretend to love you because you murdered the last person who spoke out against 'The Mighty Absorption'. What's the point of stopping the bad guys if you kill the people your trying to save? You're not a hero, you're a tyrant. It's not about stopping the bad, but preserving the good!"

Steve takes a step back, looking pensive and vulnerable. He, however, quickly throws this stance aside and resumes his normal, brooding attitude. "So what if you might be right?" Absorption says, "You can't stop me and you know it. In fact, I think I should stop you from infecting the minds of the people of Brecksville with your words." He starts to slow-walk towards me.

"I don't want to fight you," I said slowly backing toward the opposite wall, "I have been loyal to you for 10 years now." I begin to slip out my knife without it being seen in order to defend myself.

"Your loyalty means nothing to me now. I have enough power to save this city my way! Now, I'm giving you one more chance. Take it all back and I won't hurt you," Absorption promised, increasing his pace.

"I'm not taking anything back until this city sees justice!" I said with confidence, my back against the wall.

"You had your chance, Martin," he said, now right in front of me. Steve gave me a shrug with a smug look. I, however, knew what he was planning to do. I jump out of the way right as he reaches out to grab me.

"You fool!" Absorption yelled, now furious. He charges at me. I try to jump away again but he grabbed hold of my wrist just before I leaped. Immediately, my skin, muscles, and bone start to deteriorate as Steve started to absorb my very essence.

"Goodbye, Dog-Man!" Absorption murderously declared.

"Yes, Steve, goodbye," I whispered back, as I, in a moment of pure reflex, pull out the bronze knife and stab it into Steve's back. Both him and I gasp, gaping at what I had just done.

"You... traitor!" shrieked my old friend, trying and failing to somehow absorb the knife without dying.

"I... I had to," I suddenly realized, beginning to weep, "The only way to stop you... was to kill you. You have become so enveloped in your own power that you forgot the needs and welfare of everyone else. No one could pull you out of that mindset, believe me, I have tried."

"You... should have told me," Steve said, a little more distant. He had, at this point, given up attempting to save himself. Removing the knife would only make it worse. I grab him and hold him in my lap.

"I did! And this is how you reacted," I sob through tears. His eyes begin to drift. "Steve, listen to me. I didn't mean to hurt you!... I'm so sorry." Steve looks back at me, "I never... wanted to hurt you either. You were right. I...was a bad hero, a bad person. But, now you're... just like me," he slowly closes his eyes, "a murderer..." Absorption's body went limp.

"No... I... I just wanted justice for everyone," I stammered. Despite this, I knew that Steve was right. I brought justice without the concern of others. I eliminated the bad while destroying the good within me. I had become just like him. I became a murderer in the name of justice.

Hey Guys! 👋

Hope you enjoyed this flash fiction! Thank you so much for reading. I apologize for not even getting on this app in awhile, it simply hasn't been a priority these days. However, this
doesn't mean it will stay like that. I plan to get on more often and check on all you peeps! Have a nice day! 🙃