[centre]

[url=https://youtu.be/KBlsg4H6PhM?list=RDKBlsg4H6PhM]The button depressed with an audible click[/url], activating a flickering red light on the receiver.  A lingering moment passes, black box ideally blinking, before a similar small red light in the crumpled farmhands neck begins to pulse. “Ya see, I told you’s that I ain’t messing. They told’s.. - they told’s me that when I'm in a scape jus’ press this here button and It’ll be my ultimate weapon!” screams Billy, face reddening with rage. A few sweat drops begin to form on his squat, square brow. “ ‘s sure getting hot. Must be some sort o’ heat beam…” Steam rises from his slumped body, eyes watering. “Outsmarted ya all see… ain’t goin’a catch me, not Ol’ Bayou Billy.” the word escape the man’s lips like the final dregs of air draining from a tyre. He was right.

[color=f14c4c]--KABOOM--[/color]

Scorching ash fills the room. Human shrapnel scatters around the empty hall burning and finally disintegrating where it lays.

For a moment the only thing the hero could do was stand there mouth agape at the events that had just transpired. Arduous had never seen a person explode before, it reminded him of a firework but gone horribly wrong.

Regaining his senses, he turns quickly to face the door. From this side looking out, the forecourt of the bank seems all at once to be twice it’s size, it’s edges spanning a now unconquerable distance. The rush of battle drains from Arduous and like a watched clock he settles into a seemingly slower rhythm. “....Oh yeah, I suppose we should get these people out of here” he yawns, swinging one pendulous arm in the general direction of the bound hostages. The column of light cast by the banks gargantuan doors is obstructed with the frantic rush of porcine officers who scamper towards the duo to investigate the ruckus. The bespeckled officer that stopped their entry is the first to inquire “Er, so...What’s all this then?” his joules dancing a slow waltz with every word. “Nothing to see here, move along.” replies Arduous unable to hold back a slight smirk. 

The officer moved to reply and then stopped, mouth falling open. Even through dark tinted shades the location of his gaze was unmistakable. Arduous had reflexively turned his back when he caught sight of it. The shadow. The ashen impression strikes an odd charcoal pattern, contrasting against the vibrant bronze shine of the great bank vault.  It’s center mass is a bulbous tumor and slightly higher sits a great void,  the site of the bomb. The outer limits twist up and down and out displaying limbs crippled and bent into unnatural angles like an  two crushed spiders resting back to back. To look upon felt like looking into a mirror in a dark room. Arduous paints a all too stoic smile upon his face, “Hahaha, how about we get these kids to safety… what do you say officer?” Arduous states in his best ‘hero’ voice. Moving to help the last of the hostages free of their bounds Arduous leans over and whispers in his companion's ear “Have you ever seen something like that before?” he didn’t have to wait for a reply, the sound was akin to water through cold pipes, or the settling of an old house. Arduous reluctantly turns to face the vault and it’s ghastly shadow his spine feeling as if he has just sat on a bed of nails. 

[color=897833]--THUMP--[/color]

The lawmen begin to bark orders hurrying the last of the hostages out of the banks cavernous hall...

[color=b49e48]--THUMP--[/color]

...some officers try to stand their ground and take aim at the vault. All wavering shortly after, reconsidering and running out into the morning…

[b][color=c9b151]--THUMP--[/color][/b]

Only two men remain, a bulky mustachioed man looking more gleeful than frightened, and his lanky, boater hat wearing partner who yawns. 

The vault door finally gives, falling away like a great coin tossed against the sidewalk…

[b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF2temaxpRM ]TO BE CONTINUED...[/url][/b] [/centre]