It was now midnight and the streets seemed busier than ever. The snow stopped falling but covered the lawns of homes with a small layer of white. John walked a great distance to get to Blackthorn District. Valentine Manor’s gate opened after waiting for some time. John looked around the enormous yard at all the things that changed. Gardens of roses covered the fields. Some trees were growing on the far left side. Blue flowers John had never seen before lined the edges of the yard. John saw neatly trimmed hedges everywhere. A large pond-like pool sat in the middle of the yard. 

As he continued walking he turned around looking at everything from the colors of the plants to the color of the house. The mansion began to feel daunting the closer he came to it. He saw a few cars parked near the two large fountains. He took a deep breath as he noticed his hands were sweaty causing him to run them on his black jeans. John had on a dark blue turtle neck on top of his black jeans and a pair of dark gray boots. Unlike Gizmo, John wasn't stylish and wasn’t into bright colors. John stopped at the steps of the mansion as the building appeared three times as tall before.    

“You look like you want to turn around and run.” A voice said to John’s right. 

He looked over to see a young man around the same age as him. The young man was dress in a black turtle neck, gray pants, and dark purple designer shoes. He had a gold chain around his neck and two gold earrings. He was five foot six and had an athletic build. His hair was cut to resemble a high top and thin sideburns.

“I didn’t think you’d still be here, Octavius.” John said as Octavius as he held out his fist so they could fist pound. After doing so, Octavius shoved his hands in his pockets.

“After finishing college last year something happened to my brother so I came back. I guess I had a reason but what brought you back to this prison of a city?” Octavius asked with a curious look on his face that John quickly noticed. 

He shrugged as he briefly took a moment to think about why he was still there. He went to see Alistair the other night and got his money but now what? Why was he still here? John couldn’t give Octavius an immediate answer.

“I came here for business but now… I don’t know. There’s nothing for me anywhere.” John said slowly as he stared out at the yard.  He bit his lip as he thought about how pathetic he just sounded.   

“Listen, bro… you might feel lost because you’re always keeping everything at a distance. It can be hard to find a reason to stick around somewhere when you do that. We’re friends man… remember that.” Octavius said as John looked at him for a long time before looking away and nodding. He didn’t know how to respond to that either.

“Octavius!” 

A voice yelled causing John and Octavius to turn around. John realized the person that called him was the woman from the club. She was dressed in a long dark purple dress. Her curly hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She looked annoyed as she stepped out the doorway. Octavius let out a deep sigh as he looked at her for a moment while she glared at him angrily.      

“Jazlyn…Never mind let's go. I’ll see you inside, John.” He said. 

John watched as he walked up the steps and grabbed her hand as they walked through the doorway. John stood alone for some time before finally walking up the steps. He stood at the door peering inside blinded by lights. He stepped inside to see many people most of which he knew. Liza the maid appeared with drinks. She smiled as she gave John a brief hug before handing him a drink. 

She barely aged since he had left the city four years ago. He took a sip of his drink as a woman appeared from behind a statue she looked to be examining. Her long black hair covered her pale brown face. She was about five foot four with an astonishing figure. She wore a light blue shirt and dark gray jeans with black pumps. John descended the steps into the area she was standing. She finally looked up at him. She smiled as John stopped with a surprised look on his face.

“John? I can’t believe you’re here.” She said as she jogged up and pulled him into an embrace. For a moment he stood confused before hugging her back.

“I didn’t expect you to be here, Melina. How was art school?” John asked as she smiled while grabbing his arm to follow her. Gizmo’s living space was filled with statues and art of all kind. John slowly realized most of this stuff had been made by Melina.

“It was great but I signed up for this military program. I want to help supernatural beings and superhumans.” She said sounding determined. John nodded as he took another sip of his drink while they walked together.  

“Humans hate anything that has the potential to do better than them. That’s the real problem honestly.” John said as he noticed it caused Melina to smile. 

As they continued to walk together Gizmo appeared with two women beside him. One had reddish-brown hair that was hanging down to her shoulders. She had on a black skirt and red blouse. She had been one of the agents at the club. The other woman had long black hair and olive skin. She was dressed in a violet-colored dress.

“Dude, you actually came. Anyway, Melina, you mind if I borrow him for a sec?” Gizmo asked as Melina smiled as she bowed as she gestured for John to go. 

He sighed as he followed Gizmo down a hall where people were walking and looking at more of his belongings. “You got a big collection of art.” 

John stopped to examine a highly detailed drawing. The drawing was filled with women holding each other with tons of flowers covering up blank spaces. John glared at Gizmo as he shrugged casually.

“You should know I called her as well…way, she didn’t pick up though.” Gizmo said causing John to appear annoyed again. He shook his head as he turned around and began headed the way he came. Gizmo appeared next to him as he tried to get him to stop. 

“I enjoyed the reunion with some old friends but I got to get going.” John said as walked by Melina as he headed toward the door. He felt people staring at him strangely as he made his way toward the door.

“At least you stayed longer than usual.” She said while waving goodbye. 

John took no time exiting the building. He emerged outside feeling the cold breeze on his skin. He took a deep breath as he stood with his eyes closed. He took in another deep breath while opening his eyes. John stood staring off into the distance as a smell filled the air. He sniffed the air realizing something was burning. He became anxious as he ran down the steps to see if something was happening. John took off running toward the gate which opened slowly allowing him to slip through. He kept running until he made it to the main street of the neighborhood. He stopped running when he saw houses on fire. As he looked closer he saw that two people were fighting. One of the people was clearly the cause of the fires. He was generating the flames from his hands. John rubbed the back of his head wondering what to do before deciding to walk away.  

“You’re not a hero, John. You’re not a hero.” He turned around and started walking until he heard screams for help. He stopped and stared at the ground clenching his fist. The smoky air continued to penetrate his nostrils. He breathed heavily as he couldn’t help but remember. 

Flashback

“Boy, you are not a hero! The people that make it in this world are survivors, not heroes. All heroes end up dead.” He said as John looked up at him as he sat silently holding on to the girl he tried to help. 

John thought she was around his age. Her long black hair covered the ground and drenched in blood. Her clothes were soaked with blood as well and her face had a deep scar across her cheek. She was barely breathing but he knew she’d survive. His guardian killed the man that attacked her but the damage was done. Her wounds would heal but what happened to her would never be erased. John held her tightly slowly beginning to hate the concept of life.

“John….what happened to her is not your fault. You are not obligated to protect anyone other than yourself. What happened to her is tragic but it’s the world we live in. Now come before she wakes and the task force arrives.” He said as he grabbed John’s arm and pulled him away from the girl.

Present

John took a deep breath as he heard the screams getting louder. He turned toward the house he heard them coming from still breathing heavy. His fingers twitched as he struggled to decide what to do.

“Shit.” 

He muttered before sprinting across the lawn toward the window. He picked up one of the stones sitting around a small garden. John used all his might to throw it through the window which shattered easily. John climbed through the growing flames. He rolled on the floor for a before searching the house. After realizing the first floor was empty he sprinted upstairs. He kept his face covered trying to keep as much air as possible. His lungs were slowly filling up with smoke. 

He called out desperately to search for the people. As he walked the hall a shadowy figure appeared. A strange demonic creature stumbled out with bright red eyes and razor-sharp teeth. John grunted as he realized he has to get around it. He roared as he sprinted forward and tackled the creature. He slammed the creature on the ground and dragged it by its feet. The creature squealed a horrifying shriek as he threw it downstairs. John began coughing hysterically as he struggled to breathe. He stumbled down the hallway to the last door and burst through it. He collapsed to a knee as two girls emerged from a closet.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” John coughed as he saw a chair and broke off its leg. 

He covered the girls with a blanket. The oldest one climbed onto his back while he carried the younger one in his left arm. John staggered into the hallway wheezing as his vision began to blur. He groaned as he refused to pass out so he gently skewered his recent wounds with the broken chair leg. Ashe and smoke impaired his vision as he headed down the steps. He discovered the creature was gone and the door was opened. He threw the leg of the chair down and carried the girls out of the house. 

He walked all the way to the end of the yard before placing them down. He collapsed to the ground as a woman appeared. His vision was continuing to be hazy. Even so he could sense that she was trouble. Her piercing green eyes and green claws came with a menacing glare. John staggered to his feet as she continued approaching. Her skin tight clothes hugged her body allowing John to notice her scars.

“She’s bad…” The youngest girl said causing John to gently push her behind him as he walked toward the woman. She smiled wickedly as she slowly licked her lips. John stopped moving to gain his balance but she pounced on him. Her claws tore deep into his stomach causing him to look at her surprised.  

“We just met and you’re getting handsy.” John said sarcastically while wincing in pain. 

The woman laughed as she ripped her claws out of his stomach and blood came pouring out of him. He could hear the children screaming as he glanced back to tell them to run. Before he could speak, he felt a strange sensation against his throat. He reached up his neck to feel blood spewing from a wound. He gasped for air as he fell over realizing he was going to die. His guardian was right… heroes do die.