Being a Hero

Chapter 9

The song for this chapter is "Higher" by The Score.

"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." ―Francis of Assisi

*Anora's POV*

"Becky, how's the order for table 12 coming?" I called as I picked up the tray for table 7.

Becky moved her head so I could see her through the serving window. "They're up next."

I nodded acknowledgment then picked up a tray stand. The lunch rush was tapering off, making it easier to weave between tables with a heavy tray balanced on one hand. With practiced grace I flicked the stand open and rested the tray atop it, not spilling a single drop of the au jus accompanying one meal. I dispensed the meals and handed a rather worn looking mother an extra napkin for the mess her toddler was making of his mac n cheese. I was doing a quick round to check if any of the remaining patrons needed a drink refill when I spotted a familiar face walk in the front door. I smiled and waved before holding up one finger to tell Moriah I would be with her shortly.

Table 12's meal was ready when I made it back to the window. "Hey, Becky, I'm going to take my break after I deliver this tray, okay? Moriah's here."

"Sure thing, Anora! Say hi for me?" She asked while slipping on her server's apron.

"Will do. I'll be back in 15."

After delivering my last tray, I slipped off my apron, grabbed a pair of lemonades, and motioned for Moriah to join me at a table outside. It was a bit windy today, leaving the bistro's outdoor seating abandoned and perfect for an uninterrupted break and a modicum of privacy.

"Anora!" Moriah said, moving in for her customary greeting hug.

I returned it gladly. "Moriah, it's been ages! How are you? What's up?" I asked with a hint of suspicion. I loved my bestie, but an unannounced visit like this? To be fair, we had been trying to schedule a get together for weeks. Things just kept coming up.

"I'm doing alright. Still working on, you know," She said, motioning to her arm. She'd been trying to keep her powers from popping up when startled ever since she'd gotten them. As funny as it was to see her turn half metal at the slam of a door, it did make keeping her secret identity difficult. "John scared me the other day, and I caught myself before anything visible changed," She added triumphantly, grinning. "How are you doing?"

"That's great! I'm doing alright," I said with a shrug. "Got finals in a few weeks. Babysitting's going well. Grandma had a kidney stone last month. Guess I get to look forward to that when I'm older."

Moriah hissed her sympathy.

"Nights have been picking up with the gangs shifting territory." Leaning in I whisper, "Been seeing a lot more of Grounder in the new turf the Painted Dogs took in a skirmish recently. They're not giving that back up without a bloodbath, especially after the attempted expansion into Boreas's territory failed."

"Yeah, Majesty had a run-in with him not long ago. It was scary. I'm glad I wasn't in her shoes," Moriah admitted.

"Yeah, I saw that on the news. Could hear the gunshot and thunder from here."

Moriah trailed a finger up and down her glass, wiping the condensation off in a zig zag as she thought. "There's another reason for my visit today too..."

I knew it! "Shoot," I encouraged, taking a long drink as I watched my friend. She was nervous. What could make the Iron Goose nervous?

"Two things, actually. Caitlyn ran into some trouble in your territory while out of costume and thought you should know. 2 sleazy guys were following her. She's pretty sure they would have tried to kidnap her or worse if someone hadn't offered to walk the rest of the way with her."