[ WP ] A blizzard strikes during a massive comic book convention , completely isolating the building and the attendees , most of whom are in costume . Then there is a murder . And as you made the mistake of dressing up as Sherlock Holmes , everyone expects you to solve it .

“ But I ’ m scared of blood! ” I pleaded, trying to slink back into the crowd. “ We should just call the cops and wait for them to get here! ” 
 
 The lights in the hall flickered erratically again, seemingly in time with the torrents of snow pelting down on us. The winds howled hungrily outside, and as I pulled my wool coat tighter around my shoulders, I felt the chill start to seep into my bones. 
 
 “ You ’ re the only detective here, ” the emcee started up again, “ you ’ re the only one who can solve this! If we wait for the police, the killer ’ s bound to escape! And there ’ s no way the police will get here in time with this raging blizzard going on! ” 
 
 I saw a hundred heads turn to nod in agreement at me, and I would have laughed if the situation wasn ’ t so ridiculous. “ Seriously? ” I yelled. “ We ’ re at a comic book convention and there ’ s not a single Batman in sight? Or even a Robin? Hell, I ’ d settle for a Constantine or a Rorschach! ” 
 
 Silence again as the throng of heroes and villains critically examined each other. “ Sorry bub, ” said a bare-chested Wolverine with realistic adamantium claws stitched to flesh-coloured gloves. “ You ’ re the only one with the smarts here to solve this. ” 
 
 I glanced around frantically. “ Or what about him! ” I yelled, as all eyes swivelled in the direction I pointed. “ I recognise that costume. He ’ s Mister Fantastic! He ’ s got one of the highest goddamn IQs around, I ’ m sure he can solve this! ” 
 
 “ Sorry, no can do, ” he said, shaking his head. 
 
 “ And why ’ s that? ” 
 
 Mister Fantastic smiled wistfully. “ Dr Doom attacked me with the DumDum Gun on the way here. I ’ m no better than the average middle-school kid now. Until Sue or Johnny manage to trick him into giving up the formula, I will not be… ” 
 
 The emcee ’ s voice boomed over the PA system. “ Sherlock, please! I ’ ve just checked our attendance lists, and you ’ re the only one here with a traditionally-accepted intelligent character! You ’ ve the highest chance of solving this! ” 
 
 “ What, not a single Brainaic, or even Lex Luthor? Have you checked the villains? ” 
 
 “ Citizen, you can forget about them, not when I ’ m here! ” said a Superman smugly, who clearly had been working out all year for this convention. 
 
 I felt the situation slipping away from me, and I knew I had to get them to see reason before it was too late. “ You don ’ t understand! I ’ m only here because a girl I liked from school invited me to come along! I know nothing about solving murders or crimes! I ’ ve never played Cluedo in my life, and I always read the FAQs when I get stuck in games! ” 
 
 I sank to the floor, on my knees, burying my face in my hands. At that moment, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, and I looked up into the earnest, compelling eyes of Captain America. 
 
 “ Son, don ’ t let the doubt take control. Everyone of us has something in them that they can contribute for the greater good. I believed in myself, and look at what I managed to… ” 
 
 From the far side, Iron Man cut him off. “ Yea don ’ t listen to his shit. He ’ s a druggie, wouldn ’ t be here amongst us if not for the serum. But he ’ s right, you know. You have to try. ” 
 
 Looking around, I saw Thors, Hulks, Jokers, Spidermen, Wonderwomen… even one lone Aquaman, all determinedly urging me on to try. I sighed and got to my feet. 
 
 “ Fine, I ’ ll see what I can do. Where ’ s the body. ” 
 
 They led me to a booth near the podium, and there I found a little clearing, a wide berth given by all the costumed heroes and villains, where a crumpled, beaten and broken body lay. Geez, no wonder no one wanted anything to do with this. But who could have done this? Who could have managed to do this in the short 2 minute power cut earlier? 
 
 I grit my teeth. What would Sherlock have done? Right, start by examining the body. Even to my untrained eye, from this distance away, the injuries were horrific, and I could barely even make out what the person was supposed to be dressed as… 
 
 Wait. Blond hair… 
 
 …Five foot six at the most… 
 
 … Woollen jacket, tweed trimmings, sharp white shirt now stained with crimson blood… 
 
 … A faint scar over the left hand, very similar to one I ’ d been observing for a while now… 
 
 My hand trembled as I slowly retrieved my phone and dialled her number. Even before I got the phone to my ear, a plain ring tone, reedy and plaintive in the crushing silence swathing the hall, beeped out from under the victim ’ s clothes. 
 
 I ended the call and squeezed my eyes shut. 
 
 That was why she wasn ’ t at the booth where she said she would be. 
 
 That was why she didn ’ t answer all my calls earlier. 
 
 That was why I couldn ’ t find her before this. 
 
 That was why… 
 
 I opened my eyes. In that void of action, where the tension was thicker than the makeup on the attendees, I saw that everyone was looking to me, waiting for me to react. A wave of adrenaline coursed through me as the words spilled out of me, fuelled by anger, hate, and loss. 
 
 “ And the game is afoot! ” 
 
 The hall erupted into cheers. 
 
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