I Don't Want To Be A Hero

Chapter 10 Fire

The world around Siren blurred in and out, the roar of the fire fading into a dull, distant hum. She tried to push herself upright again, but her arms trembled violently.

Then a sudden gust of wind swept past her — sharp, electric, unmistakable.

Speed.

A blue streak zipped through the smoke, circling the burning building in a blur of motion. He skidded to a stop beside her, eyes wide with alarm.

"Dav— Siren! You look awful," he said, voice cracking with worry.

Before she could answer, a heavy thud shook the ground.

Hero landed a few feet away, cape settling behind him in a wave of red. His suit — bright crimson with a bold H across the chest — reflected the firelight like molten metal. His eyes scanned the scene, jaw tightening.

"How bad is it?" he asked.

"Bad," Speed replied. "There are still people inside."

Hero nodded once, decisive. "Then let's move."

He shot into the air, hovering above the street. With a sharp inhale, he angled himself toward the nearest fire hydrant. He slammed his fist down on the top of it — not enough to break it, but enough to c***k the pressure valve.

Water erupted upward in a powerful geyser, arcing toward the flames.

Hero moved to the next hydrant, then the next, punching each one with precise, controlled force. Streams of water blasted across the burning structure, hissing as they collided with the fire. Steam billowed upward in thick clouds.

Below, Speed was already gone — a streak of blue weaving through the collapsing building.

Inside, he darted between falling beams and pockets of flame, scooping up civilians and rushing them outside in seconds. He moved so fast the fire barely had time to react to his presence.

"Everyone out! Move, move!" he shouted, guiding the last group toward the firefighters.

He zipped back inside again, refusing to stop until he was absolutely sure no one remained.

Outside, Hero hovered above the building, directing the geysers of water with bursts of wind from his hands, pushing the streams deeper into the flames. The fire began to shrink, retreating under the combined assault of water and wind.

Finally, Speed burst out of the building one last time, coughing hard, soot covering his suit.

"That's everyone!" he yelled up to Hero.

Hero nodded and landed beside him, cape settling around his boots. Together, they turned toward Siren.

She was still on one knee, swaying, her breaths shallow. Her suit flickered faintly — the nanites struggling to maintain their structure.

Speed was at her side in an instant. "Hey, hey — stay with me."

Hero knelt on her other side, his expression softening. "You pushed yourself too hard."

"I had to," she whispered, voice barely audible. "People needed help."

"And you helped them," Hero said gently. "Now let us help you."

Siren tried to stand, but her legs buckled. Hero caught her before she hit the ground, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

Speed placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "The butler's gonna kill us if we don't get you back fast." He whispered.

Hero gave a small, grim smile. "Then let's not waste time."

He lifted off the ground, holding Siren securely. Speed ran beside him, matching his pace on the street below — a streak of blue guiding the way back toward Davina's Mansion.

Siren's eyes fluttered, her head resting against Hero's chest. She could hear the distant echo of sirens, the fading roar of the fire, and the steady beat of Hero's heart beneath the armor.

"You're safe," Hero murmured. "We've got you."

And for the first time in three days, Siren let herself relax — just a little — as Speed led the way and Hero carried her back to Sebastian.

Inside the mansion, the quiet was almost reverent—thick carpets muffling every footstep, the soft hum of the old heating system filling the silence like a heartbeat. Hero carried Davina carefully, her weight limp in his arms, and laid her down on the massive four‑poster bed. The moment her body touched the sheets, the nanites that made up Siren's suit reacted instinctively, shimmering like liquid metal before retracting in a smooth wave. They peeled away from her skin in thin, ribbon‑like streams, flowing back into the small casing embedded at her hip. For a brief second, the air crackled with static as the nanites disengaged at a molecular level—fabric reweaving itself into her normal clothes beneath, the indestructible layers dissolving into nothing but a faint green glow before vanishing entirely.

Sebastian entered with a tray of medical supplies balanced perfectly in his hands. "Will she be alright?" Hero asked, watching the last of the nanites disappear.

"A few scrapes, but she'll be fine," Sebastian said, his voice steady as he set the tray down beside the bed. He slipped on gloves with practiced ease. "I think what really got her was her lack of sleep these last few days."

He began disinfecting the cuts along her arms—thin, angry lines that looked worse than they were. Davina didn't stir.

"Wait—she hasn't slept since she got back?" Ben asked, stepping closer, concern tightening his jaw.

"Unfortunately, she's been quite busy," Sebastian replied. He didn't look up, but the faint sigh he let out said enough.

Ben exhaled sharply. "It's a good thing you called. Lord knows she wouldn't have."

Sebastian nodded once. "I do thank the both of you for coming. Though I must say, I did not expect you as well, Hero." He began wrapping Davina's wounds with careful precision, each movement gentle but efficient.

"I was helping Hero finish distributing the cure for that damned drug when I got your call," Ben said. "Figured it wouldn't hurt if I came along to help either," Hero added, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sebastian placed the last bandage, then straightened. "Your help was most definitely appreciated." He gathered the used supplies and set them neatly back on the tray. "Miss Davina will likely be out for at least a few hours. I'm sure you both have much to do, but you're welcome to stay and rest as well."

Ben's expression softened. "Thanks, Sebastian. I think we'll take you up on that offer."

"Very good," Sebastian said with a small, approving nod. "I'll prepare some food and drink. And if you need clothes to change into, we have spare garments downstairs—second room on the left. I'm sure you'll find something that fits."

With that, he lifted the tray and slipped out of the room, closing the door with the same quiet grace he always carried—leaving Hero and Ben standing in the dim, warm glow of Davina's bedside lamp, the weight of the night finally settling around them.

TO BE CONTINUED