Day 2 of True Hero's release! As a special thank you to anybody who has already started reading, I'll be posting 2 chapters today. Moving forward it will be one a day unless otherwise stated. New chapters release daily at 6PM (MT). I hope you've all enjoyed Micheal's story so far — today you'll get to explore a bit more of his world, and things will start to raise some questions about what's to come. If you're enjoying the story, ratings, likes, and comments go a long way in helping others find it — they're always appreciated! Enjoy!

  - S. Redd

  Chapter 4: Find Your Centre

  I almost jump as arms wrap around me, surprising me with warmth. I hadn't realized how cold I was until Luna pulled me close, sharing her heat.

  "It wasn't your fault, Micheal." I want to say something, anything—but the words won't come. She draws nearer, close enough for me to catch her scent, and I raise my head just enough for her to kiss my cheek. She managed to crack the dam just enough, as always.

  "This time is different." My voice is barely a murmur. I feel her shift, catching the confusion and worry flickering across her face.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I'm not sure. I just have this bad feeling—I'm uneasy. I can't figure out why this is eating away at me." The memory of the scene, the sheer intensity of it, keeps cwing at my mind.

  "You're overthinking things," she says, still radiating that stubborn positivity she always carries. "Everything will be fine." She gives me a reassuring smile and, for a moment, I almost believe her.

  Maybe I am overthinking this. It's been a while since I've encountered a case this dark. Even so, the way I felt out there...I could feel the killer's presence. As if they were right behind me, breathing down my neck. To leave a feeling like that hanging in the air—can someone even do that?

  I gnce at the clock. Seven already? Now I've gotta deal with school. Great...

  "We have a unit test today, right?" Luna's reminder snaps me out of my thoughts, hitting me with a different kind of dread.

  "Yeah, it's cool though. It's pretty easy." She narrows her eyes, and I feel a smack on the back of my head. "Ouch, what was that fo—"

  "'Cause I know you're lying! You haven't studied once, and you haven't done any homework!"

  She's not wrong. I hadn't done any of it—but that's because I've got everything memorized already. No need to keep practicing something I already know. She gives me one st gnce before heading to the kitchen, opening the fridge, then setting a pan on the stove.

  "Go take a shower."

  I nod and head to the bathroom, grabbing my towel on the way. Luna's known me since we were kids. She knows me just as well as I know myself. We both know I'll keep moving forward as always, but this feeling is going to linger in the back of my mind. Why? Why can't I just forget about it?

  I jolt as the cold water hits my back. Really? The water tank's usually warm in the morning. I breathe hard as the icy flow sharpens my mind. How should I approach this? I can't really set the pace—all I can do is outsmart them when they make a move.

  With a shiver, I reach for the soap, cleaning around the cut on my stomach. The sting is faint now, barely there. The water warms up the second time around. I try to savor it before it dips back to ice. Have fun, Luna.

  As I dry off, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It's funny—I always look good right out of the shower, like I could be on a magazine cover. Thick eyebrows, perfect teeth—well, that was because of the braces. I run the wet towel over my hair, giving it that spiked, messy look. It's short overall except for the bangs that cover my forehead. I love my hair. I don't know what I'd do if I were to lose it. I fsh myself my signature grin and wrap my towel around my waist before heading to my bedroom.

  Whatever Luna's making smells incredible. It's around eight now, and I spent about ten minutes getting ready. I put on my silver chain, and before I can leave the bedroom, I hear screaming coming from the bathroom.

  The water must have turned really cold. I would've told her to wait—why'd she jump right in?

  With a sigh, I head into her bedroom and grab the heater she keeps hidden in the corner. The stubborn thing doesn't want to cooperate. Come on... I bend the prong and finally manage to get it plugged in.

  "Thank you! It's so cold!" I turn toward the doorway to see her practically shaking, her hair damp and messy.

  "No way—you washed your hair too?"

  She nods, steam rising around her as she shivers. Her hair looks nice when it's down on the side like that, rather than her usual ponytail.

  "It was warm in the beginning, then it just got so cold..."

  I make my way around her and exit the room. "Hurry up and change. The food should warm you up." I catch her smiling before I close the door, hearing it click behind me.

  She made grilled cheese—one of her many specialties. We're both pretty te sleepers, so lunch is more commonly our first meal of the day instead of breakfast. I pce the grilled cheese on two ptes and slide them onto the table. I pour some orange juice for myself. I'm not sure what Luna will drink. She's so inconsis—blegh! Toothpaste.

  I set the gss down after the assault on my taste buds. Why is orange juice a morning drink when you can't drink it after brushing your teeth? What do I even drink now? We never have anything good to drink. It's always just water, and water, and more water—which wouldn't be an issue if it wasn't always so warm. The worst part is that Luna drinks it all when it's cold. From my water bottle. She refuses to use her own.

  "Hm?" I catch the pack of gum as she tosses it to me. She looks nice, dressed in blue jeans and a bck jacket. I pocket the gum. I'll need that ter.

  "Don't go off on it."

  I nod at her with a reassuring smile. "I won't. Thank you."

  She sits down, and I follow suit. I've never smoked—I only use the nicotine gum to calm myself down sometimes. It's not often, and I'm pretty good at self-control, but Luna doesn't want me getting addicted, so she keeps it for me. Her dad is a heavy smoker, so it's understandable she'd feel that way. I never saw him smoke anything other than those huge cigars. The way he used to puff them in my face...Esperanza.

  I shake the thought away and start eating while Luna chews and texts someone on her phone.

  "You said we're going somewhere tonight, right?"

  "Yeah, it'll be fun." She finishes one st text before putting her phone down, elbows on the table, locking eyes with me.

  Great. I manage one st bite before dropping the grilled cheese back onto the pte and leaning back in my chair.

  "What?"

  "You're not going to be stupid about this whole thing, right? I know you want to pursue it, but you have to take it easy."

  "I'm going to pursue it."

  "I didn't say don't—just don't do anything drastic, especially without me. I'm the brains of the operation!" I can see the lie in her goofy smile.

  "Don't worry about me. Just focus on having fun tonight."

  She smiles and winks. "Awww, you really care, don't you?"

  That's my cue. I stand up, pte in hand. "I'll be in the car."

  I toss my pte into the microwave for ter, Luna's giggles following me. I take a deep breath as I head down the stairs and step outside. It's still dark, but the police and ambunce lights fsh brightly in my eyes. Luckily, nobody saw me investigating the body. That was a bit risky on my part. I'm usually smarter when it comes to investigating.

  I hear the loud beep of the Camaro as the headlights fsh me. It's beautiful. I brush my hand against the sleek bck paint, admiring the two blue stripes painted down the middle. I toss my backpack into the trunk before settling into the driver's seat.

  Now for the best part.

  "Beautiful..." I can't help but smile at the roar of the engine as I start the car. I usually don't mind the attention the Camaro brings, but seeing the cops and traumatized residents of the apartment turn their heads to look at me makes me want to sink lower in my seat. To be fair, I need to start the car to drive it.

  "Sorry, I had to grab my calcutor. I couldn't find it." Luna throws her bag into the back seat and settles in beside me. As soon as her door closes, I shift the car into gear and pull out of the parking lot, relieved we didn't get stuck here because of the incident.

  Suddenly, a wave of sadness hits me. Damn. I can't help but frown a little. I was reluctant to talk to Saito; her conversations were always long… But I never wished death upon her. We used to see her daily. It really is unfortunate.

  My grip on the wheel tightens.

  Don't worry, Ms. Saito. I will avenge you.