Being a Hero

Chapter 21

The song for this chapter is "Tell Me" by As We Ascend. There's a place in the chapter to start listening. This song always makes me a bit sad. It fits so well with what happened with a friend a few years back. I still care about them, but I cannot trust them like I used to. Writing the end of this chapter hurt my heart, but perhaps it was a good hurt.

In other news, I have finished the entire 1st draft of this story (114k words). So, y'all can expect chapters being posted more frequently from now to the story's completion in chapter 40. "Whoa, we're halfway there!" It's insane to think I wrote all but 6 and a half of this book's chapters since the last week of July. Going to the Realm Makers conference really rekindled my creative drive, and I hope to have an edited, polished manuscript ready to pitch at Realm Makers next July. So, any advice, critiques, or questions you may have, fire away! I love feedback and will reply.

"Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours." —C.S. Lewis

*Caitlyn's POV*

Even without my powers I couldn't keep a smile off my face as I watched the twin lambs nurse. "I can't believe they're born with so much wool already," I whispered, not wanting to disturb them or their proud mother. The lambs balanced on spindly legs covered in a fine fuzz just long enough to start curling.

"Yeah, they're pretty adorable," Robert said where he crouched beside me, elbows resting on his knees and hands hanging loose. He was also watching the twins, but with a more critical eye. "First time this girl's twinned on us. We'll know to watch for trouble next year." Robert and his friend—who actually worked at this ranch—had had to reposition and pull one of the lambs when the babies became tangled in delivery. Seeming to sense my eyes on the gore covering his forearms, he rose. "I'm gonna wash up."

I nodded, then went back to watching the newborns through the stall's gate. The ewe nuzzled and sniffed the forward lamb, then stared at me. I stared back, not at all certain what she wanted. I had no experience with sheep. I tried to reach out before I could stop myself and reeled at the sharp pang in my skull. I hissed and closed my eyes. The migraines were steadily becoming less common, but those that I still had seemed to be triggered by attempts to use my nonexistent power.

When the pain didn't fade after a few seconds with my eyes closed, I let my head sink between my knees with a groan. Please, not now. My whole skull throbbed in response.

The ewe baaed at me.

Booted feet approached. The steps hesitated for a moment before moving towards me more quickly. "Whisper, you okay?"

I shook my head slowly and squinted up at him as he rolled his flannel sleeves back down from where they had rested above his elbows. Why did it suddenly feel like I had to wade through molasses to think? "Migraine," I said simply. "I have meds in my bag. Do you—"

"On it." The booted feet retreated, and I closed my eyes against the too-bright sunset stabbing through the gaps in the plank wall. I scooted back to sit against an empty stall. I rubbed my temples through my mask and waited. A minute and an eternity later Robert returned with my bag and a water bottle. Bless him.

He set my backpack beside me, and I fumbled with the zipper, wincing when my movement brought a reflected shard of light to my eyes. "Here, let me," Robert said.

How pathetic must I look? I wondered, surrendering my backpack and closing my eyes again. I'm supposed to be a superhero...or I was...and I'm beaten by a headache and a sunbeam.

I heard the rattle of pills on plastic and Robert asked, "Eletriptan?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Alright, here you go." He pressed a pill into my hand and nudged the water bottle against my knee.