This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    It’s mouth parted showing thousands of needle like teeth. It never stopped smiling at Atom as it burned to ash.


    “But grandpa why don’t they run away. Won’t they get hurt by the bad guys?”


    Atom’s grandfather tousled his hair and said, “Heroes don’t run kiddo. Hero’s don’t worry about getting hurt. To be a hero is to protect those around you. To have the burden of knowledge that if you fail, no one else is coming.”


    Atom’s face hardened and he clinched his little fist. He looked back to the screen and said, “I’m going to be a hero someday.”


    His grandfather laughed and snatched him up from the floor. “Is that so little Atom? Well, we will see.Why don’t we worry about being a hero another day and go steal some of those turnovers your Gran is making.”


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