The Justice League Bifurcation

Chapter 1.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" everyone shouted as the confetti fell from the ceiling of Stuart's comic book store while most of them shook hands, embraced and cheered for the another year over and a new one to look forward to. Leonard turned and saw Zack pulling Penny close, kissing her on the lips, locking her body in his arms. He tried his best not to look but he found it hard to do, seeing the girl he loved in another man's arms with lips locked in a kiss. Penny tried to break off when she saw Leonard looking but Zack was too strong for her to free herself from his embrace. Leonard turned around, trying hard not to get emotional as the people around him continued to cheer, oblivious of the emotions running through him.

He asked himself how could he celebrate when he is always reminded that Penny and him are no more? She always hung out in his apartment even though she never really liked the guys and their hobbies. Penny is dismissive of Sheldon and his quirky behavior, she hated Howard for his sleaziness and Raj can't really talk to her. He decided to quietly leave and go straight home.

Leonard was walking briskly and is now three blocks away from the comic book store when two dark figures suddenly blocked his way. He immediately felt fear as they quickly grabbed him by the shoulders, dragging him into the alley. He had no chance to run as they were bigger and stronger than him.

"Guys please I don't want any trouble. You can have my money just please let me go." Leonard begged trying hard not to panic.

"Give it here!" the tall guy said, pushing him against the wall. Leonard reached for his wallet and gave it to them. The other guy with long hair took the wallet and got all the cash inside, shoving the money in his pockets. The tall guy then whipped out a pocket knife and pointed it to Leonard.

"Give me your phone now!" said the tall guy, threatening him with the knife. Leonard reached for his phone and gave it to him.

"Please let me go. I don't have anything else on me." Leonard said nervously, afraid of the pocket knife. The long hair guy suddenly swung his fist and punched Leonard in his gut, sending him down on the ground, wincing in pain.

"You be quiet!" said the long hair guy.

"Please!" Leonard begged, trying hard to catch his breath. Another punch came his way, this time from the tall guy. His head felt like it was going to explode as he felt the fist hit against the back of his head, sending his glasses to the ground. He groped the pavement, scrambling for his glasses and putting them quickly on his face. They grabbed and stood him up as a third guy with a joker mask came to join them.

"Please I have no more money left with me." said Leonard trying hard to catch his breath.

"What are you two doing?" the joker guy asked.

"Beating up this pathetic nerd! What else!?" said long hair guy.

"You're so stupid dawg! He already saw your faces!" said the joker.

"Please let me go." Leonard begged again. The tall guy punched him in the stomach again. "Ugghhh!" Leonard grunted.

"Give me that!" the joker said, taking the pocket knife from the tall guy. The joker then held Leonard's shoulder and stabbed him a couple of times in the gut. "Now you have no witness to snitch you out!" said the joker. "Let's go!" joker yelled as Leonard slumped on the ground feeling the cold, sharp pain in his gut. He couldn't breathe as he tried to put pressure on his wounds, feeling the unbearable pain. He felt the warm blood trickle down his body and thighs as he tried to stand and get to the street. His foot slipped and he tumbled back on the ground sending a greater pain in his gut when he let go of his hand over his wound. He saw his side all bloodied as well as his hand as he pulled himself off the ground to get help. He reached the sidewalk and saw a couple of people at a distance walking towards his direction. He tried to raise his hand to shout 'help!' but only sent tremendous pain to his stomach. He saw the street become blurry as he fell to the ground, with the cold pavement pressing against his face.