My rescuer introduced himself as Kodeko. Kodeko explained to me how he'd noticed the commotion while going toward Vecherinka as we walked. I didn’t actually know where we were walking to, but it was along my route home.

“Thanks for stepping in,” I said, still feeling odd about it all.

The last thing I ever expected was for anyone to help me.

“Don't mention it. Let's make a stop here,” he nodded his head towards the convenience store we were passing.

I entered the store with him. A bored cashier paid us no mind, and I stared at Kodeko's back, realizing I’d completely fallen into his rhythm, following him without question. I'd been preoccupied waiting for a chance to ask him about what he'd done back there.

Kodeko looked through the shelves of the first aid section and grabbed a kit.

“This should have everything,” he shook it and smiled at me.

“Wait, that's not for me is it?” I realized what was going on.

“Of course it is. I couldn't send you off all battered.”

I followed after him again as he walked back to the front, my lips pressed together tightly as I stared into the back of his head. I watched the transaction, shifting my weight from one foot to another. I saw Kodeko and I displayed on the security cam monitor behind the cashier and I realized how messy my hair looked. My cheeks warmed and I smoothed the stray hairs. Afterward, we stepped outside again, going over to the bench outside the store.

“Why're you being so nice?” I asked him as he opened up the kit. Kodeko looked at me, a puzzled expression on his face.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he responded.

“Well... It was dangerous, and I'm a Monster, so I would’ve been fine. My skin doesn’t even scar.”

“Then why didn't you fight back? Or run?”

When I was silent, he sighed. He had me give him my arm and began to treat a bleeding wound I hadn’t noticed on the backside of it.

“Nevermind all that. I wasn't going to walk by someone getting attacked like that. I'm more than strong enough to take a few guys like that,” Kodeko said.

I watched his face as he worked, then asked, “You're not a Monster, are you?”

Kodeko paused, then shook his head.

“No, I'm... it's hard to explain, but I'm Human.”

 “You’re a Human with Monster-like strength. Are you planning on becoming a hero?” I asked, my voice coming out more harshly than I intended.

“I have to. I want to. You don’t sound so convinced,” Kodeko responded with a chuckle.

“Sorry. That sounded way meaner than I wanted it to. I don’t talk to people much. Can you tell me more?”

Kodeko finished patching up my arm and looked out to the street, probably pondering his response.

“Well, I wanna get out of here – The City, I mean. And it feels like I'm chasing a myth, but I wanna defeat The Tsar,” he said.

My heart began to beat a little faster.

“The Tsar? That's a grand feat,” I murmured, staring out onto the street as well. 

“Yeah. I can do it. I either die trying or die doing nothing at all.”

“If you succeed, I could get out of here too. So I guess I'll be rooting for you,” I said. “Thanks for everything, Kodeko. I really appreciate it,” 

“It’s no problem. And, Valya?” Kodeko held out the first aid kit to me. “Even if your skin doesn’t scar, your heart does. I hope you’ll treat yourself a bit better.”

I took the kit, gripping the handle and avoiding his gaze. 

“You’re really nosey,” I mumbled.

“Isn’t that the quality of a hero?” Kodeko grinned.

I opened my mouth to respond but no words came back. He was right. My eyes met Kodeko’s and after a pause, I closed my mouth and pressed my lips together again, making Kodeko laugh.

“You know I’m right. Anyway, are you alright getting home?” he asked.

“I'll be fine, it's just the outside of Vecherinka that sucks. I can't impose on you any longer,” I said, standing up abruptly. “Hey, can I have your number?”

I don’t know what possessed me at that moment. 

Kodeko looked a little surprised but took out his phone, nodding.

“Sure,” he said and I followed suit as we exchanged numbers. Afterward, we bid each other farewell and I promptly walked home.

I spent around two days just staring at Kodeko’s number on my phone. I felt a bit creepy looking him up on social media, but there wasn't much to see anyway. He hadn't posted in over a year, and there were only a handful of posts on the singular account I found. I supposed he wasn't so into that kind of thing, but then again, neither was I.

“A hero,” I muttered as I stared at the popcorn ceiling of my room.

 Riza's words echoed in my head as well. She said I could do so much more. Was it selfish of me to suddenly ponder about heroes after being saved? Despite the fact I'd never so much as helped anyone else? I quickly sat up and looked at my vanity mirror. I stared at my horns and frowned. I was half Monster and just as strong as any other Monster, yet I did nothing. Maybe Kodeko was like me and not fully Human… but he was much braver. And charming. He even saved a Monster like me.

I mentally reprimanded myself, I lay down again and stared at Kodeko's contact once more. I always fall into pessimistic thoughts like that. I thought of Kodeko's words again, closing my eyes and remembering the resolve in his eyes.

To defeat The Tsar and leave the City. It was so selfish of me but I wanted it too. I touched one of my horns and thought back to my childhood, my father’s silhouette, my horns growing, and the disappearance of my mother. If I could beat him, and if I could leave this prison, I'm sure I could be happy.

Gathering my courage for a few more moments, I stared at the green call button. I let out a breath and pressed it, calling Kodeko's number. It rang for a few moments before he answered.

"Hey, Valya What's up?" Kodeko's voice came through my phone.

"Hi. Kodeko. I was thinking about what you said last time and... I want to help,” I paused. “Oh! But before you say anything I wanted to say that I can help with The Tsar. The Tsar he's actually… he’s actually my father.”

He didn't say anything for a moment, and I felt terribly awkward, wincing at my subpar delivery, and being on a phone call for something other than work, but then he spoke.

"Wait, did you say The Tsar's your father?"