As a child JD loved Halloween, but now, this year especially, he was not enjoying it. The arsonist continued to burn Central City, and the surrounding areas. Now children were out on the streets to beg for candy, and all JD and Marc could focus on was the possibility that the arsonist was out and about, setting his charges for later that night.

“I wish they would have set a curfew, maybe did trick or treat during the day on Saturday?” Marc was actually mad that the police were not taking more steps to find the perpetrator. Earlier he had pulled the map up on his phone and showed it to JD. What seemed like erratic placements for the fires, was finally coming together. You could just make out that in the end all the spots would form the signature he had left behind. Marc and JD were scoping out what they thought would be one of the next neighborhoods.

JD drove around slowly, not just because of the kids, but also looking for someone suspicious. It was hard enough to do after sunset, but with groups of children and their families it was almost impossible. Marc was looking too but also listening to police scanners. So far they had been lucky to avoid any fatalities. But the fires were coming in batches and frequently. JD felt confident they could continue their streak of saving everyone, but even he could not be sure how much longer he could keep it up while maintaining his high school life.

“Stop the car,” Marc told JD. He was staring out his window at a darkened porch between houses. He got out of the car before JD could even ask what he saw. Jd could only watch, Marc was the one that could get into and out of places without being noticed. Marc crept onto the porch slowly, his head pivoting from side to side checking behind bushes and around the home’s grill and outdoor table set. He came to the door and saw it, the arsonist’s signature! Now where was the fuse? Or was it a timer, this time? Marc snapped a few pictures hoping that even if he didn’t see it now he could see it later.

He signaled JD to call the police after taking his pictures. Then he backed up off the porch and retreated to the car. JD was still on the phone with dispatch; Marc showed him the photos of the signature. Wide eyed JD relayed the information to the dispatcher, but unfortunately the information about the signature had not been released to the public. After realizing the mistake JD got off the phone immediately, at least it was one of their burner phones. They moved the car further away as the police scanner blew up with activity. Sirens could be heard as JD pulled his mask over his face.

In costume JD was hard to see in the dark. He had chosen a deep navy blue for the main colors and refused anything in bright flashy colors. In an equally deep red was his V across his chest and the same color for his utility belt. He didn’t carry anything terribly fancy in the belt; Things like a flashlight, some super strength rope, a burner phone, handcuffs, a multi-tool, a pocket knife, and a new addition with all the fires, he kept a mini bottle of water and face masks for those he rescued. He used some Army surplus boots and black leather gloves to complete the ensemble.

Marc stood in the shadows across the street, still listening to the police scanner with his ear buds. He hoped the police would get here before the fire started, since he couldn’t find the fuse or ignition device himself. But he kept listening in case a fire broke out in one of the other areas. There was always at least 3, but the other night there were 4. Just 1 being prevented tonight certainly lessened the wear and tear on the vigilante duo, but listening to the police chatter about how the caller had known worried Marc.

Soon the police, the fire chief, and the bomb squad were all at the unsuspecting home. The homeowners, it turned out, were out trick or treating with their 3 small children. For the sake of the investigation they were given a room at a local hotel to stay while the authorities swarmed the property. Marc listened to the talk among the officers, making the most use of his “gift.” It seems the police were already speculating that it was Vigilante that called in the find. As much as they wanted to stop the hero, right now they had no choice but to work with him. He’d been saving lives, and now even he had prevented one more neighborhood from going up in smoke.

Marc was ready to move on, he felt certain there would be at least 2 fires tonight. JD Met up with him again at the car once it was clear the ignition here had been diffused. At least, Marc thought looking over at his best friend, the police were not going to chase them right now.

3AM. Tired, but victorious, they finally got back home. Marc was actually asleep in the passenger seat, too tired to fight sleep. JD carried him into the house and up the stairs. He laid him in the bed as gently as he could. He reached up and removed Marc’s glasses; it was so familiar his breath caught in his throat. He brushed his friend’s hair off his forehead and there it was. The thump thump thump in his chest. The part that was missing when he was with Melissa. But how, how could it be for Marc? JD shook his head to himself and finished getting Marc into the bed after removing his shoes. JD thought for sure this was exhaustion. After a shower and some sleep, it wouldn’t happen again.