Hero

As I stroll through the city, there's noise all over - carving, grinding, and building stuff.

A bunch of tents and painted containers scatter around. The flashy colours spiced up the houses and made the city happy.

On the streets, you'll witness people of all ages, from elderly individuals to young kids and even pets, enjoying themselves to the fullest. It's mind-blowing how things went down in those cannibal camps.

I can't help but stare at a guy smoking his pipe. This big muscular guy's rocking a green beret on his head, making him look tough, and his pleasant blue eyes give off a calming vibe. Maybe he knows a place to get some tyres.

"Mister, could you help me out?" I ask.

Our eyes lock. "Of course. What can I do for you, son?" he responds.

Son?

I'm trying to block out my memories and focus on finding the tyres.

"No, I know nothing about tyres. However, the nearby inn will have what you require."

"The inn?"

"Yes, you're almost there," he says. "Take a left, then a right, another left in the second aisle, and it's there."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I copy his gesture and then follow his directions.

Left, right, left...

Emily pops into my head.

I'm so confused and unsure about everything. Should I have stayed? Should I go back to her? I keep replaying Emily's face, smile, and eyes. And then there's the East—Eden, paradise, the ultimate sanctuary.

My thoughts spiral. Is Eden even real? What if I'm walking away from the one who makes me feel alive? Emily and I clicked in a way I never expected. She made me feel things that went beyond just getting by. She made me feel all warm inside.

Fear sneaks in. The fear that's been bugging me forever. Everyone I care about dies.

I lost my parents, Blaze, Elara, and so many others because I got attached to them. What if staying with her means dooming her, too? What about the folks around here?

I won't allow that to happen. The thought of losing Emily the way I've lost everyone else terrifies me. It paralyses me. I won't let my feelings endanger her. It's better this way. I should leave to keep her safe. She's got her people here, so she'll survive.

I cling to the hope that it will be worth it, that I'll find the peace I'm searching for. I continue walking, ignoring doubts and fears, focusing on a brighter future.

The faint echoes of laughter and merriment grow louder as I draw closer to a concrete building with a vibrant sign that reads "Inn."

This is definitely the place.

With both hands, I push open the creaky wooden swing doors and enter the inn. It has a lively atmosphere with voices clamouring and soul music setting the mood.

Nice.

The air reeks of booze, and I'm curious about the weird drinks everyone's sipping at the tables.

As the waiter strolls by in his old black shirt, red bow, and stained apron, I can't help but inquire about the unfamiliar drink.

"Could I have some of the stuff they're drinking?" I ask, and I point to the drink at the other table.

The waiter pauses. "Of course, a Dr. Pepper."

"I'm sorry. How should I pay for this? It looks and sounds expensive. I've got nothing on me."

A knowing smile forms. "You're new, aren't you?"

I nod.

"This one's on the house. Don't tell anyone," he whispers.

His generosity takes me aback, and gratitude wells up within me." Oh... Nice. Thank you," I say.

"Welcome to Freedom Town!"

The waiter comes back with a dented can of the dark brown stuff.

I pop the tab and enjoy the sweet flavour dancing on my tongue. I pause and savour the fizzy sensation before I have another sip. Then I let out a satisfied burp and grin at how good it feels.

The waiter waves me over to the bar.

"Yeah?" I say.

"Why are you here?"

"Dunno. I got directions on where to find car stuff, and they said this is the place to get some information."

"What stuff?" the waiter asks.

"I need some new tyres. Do you know where to find some?"

I expect him to answer. Instead, he walks away and returns with a tiny scrap of paper.

"Here you are... Give them my regards," he says.

"From whom, to whom?"

"Antoine is the name, and you are?"

"Hero."

I shake his hand, and he responds by tightening his grip.

There's something off about him, like he's hiding something behind that nice guy act. "It's just Hero," I add.

Antoine lets me go.

So weird.

"Why the help? You don't even know me."

He grins. "Let's just say that I know many people and that I know what you did."

"What do you mean?"

Antoine continues, "Flash spoke of a boy—clumsy, but gutsy—who helped him escape. He's been spreading your name around."

Flash. That name again.

My heart skips a beat. "Flash?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. "The guy with the eyepatch?"

Antoine nods slowly, a glint of recognition in his eyes. "The very same. Flash doesn't speak highly of many, but you? He's been talking about you, spreading stories around town."

"Why would he do that?"

Antoine shrugs, but there's something guarded in his expression. "Flash has his reasons. He's a complex man, always moving... working. He thinks you're something special."

"Special? He doesn't even know me."

"Doesn't matter. What matters is what you did. You helped him escape. That's all people need to know."

"Look, I didn't do anything heroic. I just wanted to survive."

"Maybe. But survival looks a lot like heroism to the desperate."

My mind reels. I thought I was just trying to survive, but now it seems I've become something else. Something more. And it's terrifying.

Antoine's eyes dart away for a sec. "But one thing's for sure: people talk. And they talk about you."

My name is out there. The Freaks might know. And if they do, everyone here could be in danger.

"What else did Flash say?"

"Nothing more."

The damage has already been done.

"So why help me?" I ask, my voice tense. "What's in it for you?"

Antoine's lips curl into a small smile. "I help people who help others. It's a simple philosophy, really. And maybe... maybe I have my own reasons for keeping an eye on you."

I narrow my eyes, sensing there's more to it than he's letting on. "What reasons?"

He holds my gaze for a moment before shrugging again.

"Let's just say, Flash and I go way back. He saved my life once. Maybe this is me paying him back, in a roundabout way."

"You owe Flash?"

Antoine chuckles. "Owe him? No. But I respect him. And respect goes a long way in a place like this."

There's a beat of silence between us.

He's right. However, all of this could greatly affect me.

"Antoine," I say finally, my voice low. "If Flash is spreading my name, doesn't that put the whole city at risk?"

A moment of silence again.

"Yes, it does. If I were you, I'd keep moving. Lay low."

Ah, MSG.

My heart sinks. Well, this isn't the reassurance I was expecting. My job is to protect the people here, not make things worse for them.

"Another question."

"Yes."

"What does Flash gain from this? What does he want?"

Antione scratches his chin and says, "I don't know. He's alway searching... Searching for something greater... better. But he can't get there somehow. His morals keep him from getting there. And-"

I'm all ears, but these cryptic answers aren't doing me any favors. It's time to move.

"Thank you and thanks again for the drink, Antoine."

"But... I wasn't finished."

"I have to go."

"O-okay?"

"Bye."

"Stay safe."

I bid him farewell, saluting with two fingers. With a bittersweet smile, Antoine also salutes with the Swifter gesture.

While I navigate through the busy crowd towards the exit, his voice stands out from the rest.

"Good luck, Hero!" he calls out.

I turn to him, and the inn goes quiet. All eyes are on me. Goosebumps ripple across my skin, my cheeks burning.

"Hey," I stammer, returning the salute with shaky knees.

Whispers ripple through the crowd

"Did he say... Hero?"

"The Hero from the camps?"

"Is that... him?"

The whispers grow louder.

This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to be noticed.

A few people start clapping. Then more join in.

The applause builds, gaining momentum until it's a full-blown ovation.

I should slip out before this gets worse.

But the energy in the room pulls me in, dragging me to the centre.

People are patting my back, tapping my shoulders, cheering my name.

"Hero! Hero! Hero!"

Before I know it, I'm lifted onto the shoulders of a towering figure. He's having a hard time moving with me on him, but his pride makes him keep trying.

I glance up at the ceiling.

I can't leave now, can I?

Nah... I'll stick around for a bit more.