*** Weekend Write-In for Feb 07 2020 ***

"escape": In 500 words, tell what happens when there is an escape

An Earth-F STORY.

ESCAPE OR DIE

December 1944

The first few times he'd found paper, mud, cardboard, anything at all to fashion into a representation of his helm, the Japs had taken it off him. They'd beaten and kicked him and swore and abused him.

But he was used to that.

He was used to the torture, the beatings, the privations, starvation. Three months worth of it. They wanted to make an example of him, break his spirit, break his body.

But he was The Gladiator. He was an American hero. He was somebody.

Eventually the Jap commander agreed. Gladiator thought it was the respect due one warrior from another, and Colonel Ishida seemed at least a man of some honor. A real Bushido type.

And Gladiator knew all about that. From back in the day, from when he was just Dan Kenneth, a wealthy arts enthusiast. Before he put on the helm ... his real golden helm, not the paper cardboard mesh up he made. He was a hero ... a Science hero. He belonged to the Mystery Men of America. Membership March 1942 (when they'd formed) straight through to when the Japs captured him in September.

'I still belong,' Gladiator muttered. 'They'll rescue me. Wonder Man ... yeah, Wondy'll fly right in and ... no, that wasn't right. Wasn't there some kinda mystic artifact that kept science guys with magic related powers, from entering Axis territory. The spear ... spear of Longinus, and some other trinkets. And he was in Burma, in the prison camp.

Not Wonder Man. Green Mask. He'll bust me out. Nobody stops the goddamn Green Mask. But then Gladiator remembered that Mike Shelby had died a year or so back, and his stand in was some punk. Then, before he'd left the States he'd heard about a super powered third Green Mask ... mystic powers? That was no good.

Others then ... but no, months had passed. Nobody had come, even after the Colonel had let him wear his makeshift helm. Respect, yeah, respect. The Gladiator was respected.

That was why they paraded him out several times a week, why they called out his name in front of the other American prisoners and why they beat him. Because he was special. He was someone. He was the fricken Gladiator. Seven escape attempts so far and number eight would succeed.

The guys, the prisoners, they were inspired by him. Despite what they said. Despite what the Looey said. O'Mally. From Boston. Fellow New Englander.

'Gladiator, please. Stop,' O'Mally. Ye of little faith. 'They think you're insane. That's why they haven't killed you outright. But stop. Don't antagonize them. Take off the paper helmet and that mask. Stop trying to escape. You're too weak.'

O'Mally was a good egg. Goddamn Japs were trying to starve me, on quarter rations, but they didn't know how I inspired the guys. They gave me their food. Tended to my sores and bandaged my wounds when the Japs used the whip.

I'm the Gladiator. I'm a hero. Their hero. Japs want me to deny who I am, to beg for mercy, to submit and stop trying to escape.

That won't ever happen. Heroes don't give in. One day I'll get outta here. You'll see.

Fin.

Note: The Gladiator survived the war. Severely malnourished and near death, he was finally liberated in September of 1945 and shipped back to the United States where he was treated for severe PTSD. His original helm and armor was found in the offices of Colonel Ishida, after the commander committed ritual suicide, and was returned to Dan Kenneth.

In 1946 The Gladiator attempted to return to crime fighting but his behavior grew more and more erratic, until he came to believe he was actually from Ancient Rome. In late 1946 Dan Kenneth suffered a complete psychotic break and was eventually institutionalized after narrowly avoiding prison for using lethal force on minor criminals. A court order forbade him wearing his full costume.

On December 30th 1947 he returned to crime fighting, now clad in a dark tuxedo and his golden helm and mask, but his mental problems persisted. You'll presently be able to read of his further adventures in the 1948 set GHOST HUNTERS by   coming as part of the FOX UNIVERSE/EARTH-F universe later in 2020.