Zero to Hero

Chapter 1

Scarlet's POV:
Well, here we are. I'm stood here in my police uniform. I was raised since I was just a little girl to fight crime, I never had a family or a place to call home. I was raised with one purpose and one purpose only: to help people. To keep them safe, nothing was going to stand in my way!

Listening to the chief drone on about 'why we were here' for the hundredth time was soooo boring. I wasn't even paying attention any more for I was always alert, paying attention to any danger lurking by. My instincts kicked in, I had no idea what, but I knew that something bad was about to happen. It wasn't just because I was scared for everybody's safety, but because I was always overlooked, that I did what I did next. I tried my best and I was sure that I had to prove myself, but no matter how hard I tried, it always went unnoticed. Just because I was a woman, the only woman there in fact. Despicable, I wasn't considered to be good at my job just because of my gender. I could do better than all of these men combined! I had to act upon my instinct, and fast!

I looked over my shoulder, and noticed a suspicious looking box in the corner. There could have been anything in there, I believed some action was needed. I did all I could do, I pulled the safety alarm, that's what we were told to do in the case of an emergency. They all looked at me as if to say "Stupid woman! What are you doing?!" But I didn't care, I was protecting them for goodness sake! "Bomb!" I yelled. I was sure there had to be something explosive in there, why else would a mysterious unlabelled package be laying around our headquarters? Everybody screamed frantically, running around like the morons they were.

Eventually the panic died down, we all stood around the package, watching expectantly as someone began to open it, just to make sure. This was it! My moment in the spotlight! Everybody would love me after I saved their lives! The box opened to reveal...a cake?! "I'm sorry, what?" I thought in disbelief. Then it happened. They laughed, they were all laughing at me...I couldn't stand it. I put my head down in shame, holding back tears. What was so funny? Everybody makes mistakes.

It was then that I realised it. It was Gary's birthday. Gary, the highest achieving guy on the force, everybody loved him, except for me of course. I thought he was a jerk. So that's what this was! The whole 'why we were here' speech was just a cover up for a surprise birthday gathering. How could I have let my guard down like this? I really did feel stupid. The callous cackling continued. I walked out with my head down. On the way out three of my colleagues mocked  me.

"Nice work Scarlet, you found an exploding cake!" One called after her.

"Quiet! I think there's a bomb. Scarlet help!" Another added on. The laughter continued. I didn't have to ask, I knew from that moment that I no longer had a job here.

Alright, here's some honesty. I wasn't exactly the best member of the police force. In fact I was probably the worst, this bomb misunderstanding was just the latest of my errors. I couldn't go back there. It was me against the world now, I didn't need anybody. Especially no man. I walked into the night, alone and cold...