Read So Not a Hero for Free Online Page A

rolled over onto my back again. “Like I said, I just bought more than I’d intended to.”
    “That your story, then?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, that’s my story. I didn’t set out to buy food for you or your people. Now, if you want to consider if a fair exchange for letting me share your roof and walls for a day or three, that’s fine. But I did not get that stuff out charity or the goodness of my heart. Got it? I’m not that nice of a person.”
    He stared at me again and then climbed to his feet. “I understand. Anyway, our thanks still.” He walked away and I turned onto my back, arms tucked behind my head and glared at the metal sheets above. If I had laser eye beams, I might have burned a pair of holes clean through the roof. Instead, the only thing that came out of them were silent tears.
    I’m not sure what time I fell asleep. It was dark when Derek shook me awake. My eyes jumped open and from the light of the barrel fire nearby, I could see the older man leaning over me, his face only a foot or so from mine. I pulled back, holding up one hand. “Don’t kiss me, dude. I’m awake.”
    He chuckled, white teeth contrasting the darkness of his skin. “Twenty years ago, I might have been tempted to do just that,” he said. “Getting my face slapped would have probably been worth it.”
    I shook my head with a little snort and then chided myself for not throwing up the aloof shield I’d wielded so well earlier. I blamed the fog of sleep for having let my guard down. “Twenty years ago, you wouldn’t have had to worry about the slapper having super strength.”
    He nodded. “True.”
    “So, what’s going on? I’m guessing you didn’t wake me just to have a conversation on the dangers of modern flirtation.”
    He shook his head and cut his eyes to the closed plywood door. The grin slipped off his face as easily as melted wax. I followed his gaze and saw twin beams filtering in through the space between the boards over one window. In addition to the headlights, the thumping of heavy bass music rattled the warehouse.
    The rest of them were huddled together behind a pile of large crates, alternating between staying out of sight and peeking at the door. Panic was the expression they all shared. I arched a brow at Derek.
    “We have company,” he said softly.

CHAPTER 3: A FORCE FOR GOOD?
    I shoved the blanket off my legs and got to my feet, looking from the door to Derek. “What are they doing?”
    Derek shook his head. “Nothing yet,” he said. “They pulled up about five minutes ago. Natalie peeked out the side window and said they’re just sitting in the car. Drinking and smoking.”
    An older guy–Antonio, I believe–came over and put his hand on Derek’s shoulder. “The driver just got out and is standing in front of the car. The rest haven’t moved. Why don’t they just go ahead and come in and trash our stuff? What are they waiting for?”
    I pulled my hoodie from the top of a crate and put it on as I slipped my feet into my sneakers. The loose jacket wouldn’t mimic my invulnerability, but I doubted that would matter against a bunch of Norms. As I zipped it up, I looked at Antonio. “Fear. They know that you guys know what they’re going to do. If they draw it out, then you’ll be more scared.”
    “How do you know?” Antonio asked.
    “She’s got experience instilling fear.” Derek answered without missing a beat.
    I gave him a stern look and he smiled at me in response. “You and I are going to have a serious discussion when this is over,” I said to him before glancing around the inside of the warehouse. “Is there another way to get out of here?” While I could just go through the front entrance, I wanted to survey the situation before making any plans.
    The older man nodded and pointed to a set of crumbling concrete steps that went up to a partial loft. “Part of the second floor collapsed out into the alley on the other side of the building. Go up the steps and across to