This is the only first person story I've ever written.  It's not an SI,
just a different point of view.  I'm not even sure you can call it a
story; it's more of a vignette.  C&C appreciated.  Please tell me what
you think.  


Heroes

I saw them when they came to town the other day.  They were beautiful.
You could tell just by looking that they were heroes.  I heard they were
trying to find food and a place to stay.  I don't know where they spent
the night; there isn't a hotel in this town, and I can't imagine that
anyone would invite them in.  The people here don't trust strangers.
They make me sick.  Sometimes I hate this place.  Even my mom locked the
door.  She doesn't want me to go out while they're here.  Why is she so
scared?  

I decided to sneak out the back window.  I want to see them again before
they leave.  It's a beautiful day, but there's no one here.  Where is
everyone?  Did they all barricade themselves inside their houses?  I'm
starting to get a little nervous.  It's too quiet.  Wait.  I've found
them.  The heroes.  They're talking amongst themselves.  I think they're
planning to leave!  I clench my fist and make my decision.  With all the
courage I have, I take a step forward.  

Oh God!  They see me!  One of them walks over and tries to strike up a
conversation.  I'm so nervous that my head feels like it's spinning!  I
can't even follow what's being said!  What's wrong with me??  They're
waiting for me to say something, but I can't think of anything to say.
They're looking at me with strange looks on their faces.  They seem both
sad and disappointed.  I wish they wouldn't look at me like that.  They
turn to walk away.  

In my mind I'm running after them, calling to them, asking them to take
me with them.  I want to be a hero too!  I hate this town, this boring
life filled with boring little people doing their boring little jobs
every boring day.  I want adventure!  I want to fight against the bad
guy!  I want to be something more, something special!  So why can't I
make myself go?  Why do I feel so guilty?  I watch them disappear out of
sight.  My stomach hurts and the world becomes blurry as I start to cry.
 I feel like I just lost something important.  I guess I'm not a hero
after all.  I'm just me.


Jennifer

jcaliff@nsai-petro.com       http://www.topher.net/~jcaliff/iserlohn.htm

Broken mirror, a million shades of light
The old echo fades away
But just you and I can find the answer and then
We can run to the end of the world
-"Small of Two Pieces" lyrics by Masato Kato, end theme of Xenogears