Reluctant Hero Novels & Stories

No turning back. “You’re hesitating,” he observed, his voice calm, almost mocking. “Have you finally realized what you’re signing up for?” I inhaled sharply. “I can read flawlessly. I know what I’m doing.” A flicker of satisfaction crossed his expression. “Then sign.” My fingers trembled as I reached for the pen. One signature, and my fate was sealed. I pressed the tip to the paper, forcing my name onto the contract. The ink smudged slightly from the sweat on my palms, but it was done.

How does one explain the rotten complexity of war, guilt, and survival to a child? “August…” I said, my voice softer than I knew I was capable of. “Sometimes, being a hero isn’t about never being afraid or never… hesitating.” The word burned on my tongue. “It’s about what you do afterward. It’s about protecting the people you love, no matter the cost. It’s about getting back up when you fall.” He looked at me, his eyes serious, scanning my face for the truth. “So… you would protect Mommy and me?” he asked, his voice a whisper full of hope.

"I don't want a sip." A strange feeling claws its way to my chest, I scoff again and shake my head. All of these to get away from taking a sip after I already went ahead with the plan. "Quitter." "Quitter? A quitter is one who starts but never goes through with it, I never even agreed to it to begin with," he defends. I offer him a tight-lipped smile and nod; it will be stupid of me to get into an argument with him over coffee. What he needs is a sound knock.

He felt responsible, especially for those children. “You don’t need to say anything,” he replied, looking down at the lush carpet of green grass. “Just know that there is a thin line between good and evil. A villain is only a hero whose story has yet to be told.” Ru couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as she pondered that sentence. From his perspective, Nat wasn’t trying to hurt anyone; he was trying to help. Rider, Cutter, and the rest of the Keepers also felt that they had a job to do to assist humanity.

Under the comfort of the cabin, the three heroes of Hiscoun Village are gathered around the world map and are discussing where they're off to next. Initially, Clyde planned to go with his comrades but given the situation, he has no other choice but to tag the two females with him. They're both credible, but one is dodgy and the other is naïve of the world beyond the forest. And although he's confident in his own skills, he can't execute this mission alone. He'll need an accomplice or two. Which is why he has no other choice.

And his bloodshot eyes were shut tightly as he tried to garner his dispersed thoughts. As much as he hated accepting defeat, he knew he had to do what he wanted to for not just her own sake, but for the sake of everyone around her. Jordan was no hero. Infact, he was the king of miscreants, of rapscallions – yet he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense to protect the shrink.

And I didn't sign the damn waiver! Hero realizes that he can call his bodyguard right now and have these two women - who he never even wanted to touch in the first place - to be thrown out. But then, the Resort would miss the chance of hiring such willing females while he would miss out on this unique but strange opportunity to realize a fantasy… He starts to play a scene in his head, as a pair of feminine hands fishes out his still limp tackle and as a pair of wet lips start sucking on one of his nipples.

We all took turns knocking in various styles (the big thud, the rat-a-tat-tat, the call-response) and had to wait a good ten minutes before the door finally opened. Arthur was in the same dressing gown, flapping about precariously. “Yes?” he said. “You asked us to come back today,” I said, averting my gaze. “Did I? What for?” We stood around, each of us thinking the same thing: maybe we should leave. In the classic Hero’s Journey, the first call to adventure is refused. We must have been on our seventh or eighth. “I suppose you’d better come in, then,” said Arthur, unable to stand the deluge of uncomfortableness on his doorstep. Working as intended.

“You were not a coward and you did not let those women die. It wasn't like you helped them kill those women. You tried to stop them and they hurt you. You were young and you were afraid. You were human. That affliction happens to the best of us sometimes and we can't do anything about it.” “So being human is an affliction?” He teases her with a smile, trying to lighten the mood and she chuckles. “Of course it is!” But then she sobers up, turning serious again. “Seriously though, you didn't let them. You did eventually stop them, so you are a hero. The blood of those women before, when you were a child, that isn't on your hands, so quit trying to make out like it is.” “You don't understand-”