What does Alex Rider think a true hero is? Well, the teacher will find out when he gives his paper in.

"Today you will be writing about what a true hero is. Please be truthful, and also don't copy anybody else's work. I want to hear your opinion, and yours only," the English teacher (Alex could never bother to remember her name) explained.

Alex Rider stared incredulously at the teacher.

"Yes, Mr. Rider, I said don't copy anyone else's work," she said.

"No, Miss, it's not that. You haven't given us a proper explanation, like, for example, what should we write about other than what a hero is? Is there a question that we should follow? Or is it just free-hand?" Alex asked politely, but also being straight to the point.

"Write about what a true hero is."

Alex nodded stiffly and looked at his plain sheet of paper.

What is a true hero?

A true hero is somebody who is willing to go back for another, even if the other did something bad to them previously. A true hero is a person who always looks out for the person in need, no matter what had happened between the two people before. A true hero never looks back on the past unless needed to, as a source of reliance. A true hero looks to the future, indeed looking for a time where things may be alright again. A true hero doesn't look out for themselves, but for others.

A true hero hopes that one day there may be a time for the land to not need a hero any longer, to be free of evil and woe. A true hero is a person who would sacrifice themselves for the life of another. A true hero is someone who is kind, loving and forgiving.

I am not a true hero.

Tom is not a true hero.

You are not a true hero.

Nobody in this room, or, indeed, the world, is a true hero.

Nobody is a true hero.

Nobody is that good.

Nobody is that kind.

Nobody is that loving.

Nobody looks to the future and not the past. Nobody goes back to another, no matter what they have done. Nobody will look for the person in need of that person is a bad person. Everyone would look out for themselves, because that is simply human nature. Nobody would hope for a world without evil because they do not know that there is evil in it.

So, no one is a true hero.

True heroes don't exist.

What Is A True Hero, by Alex Rider.

He handed it in to the teacher with a grim look, a knowing look, a look he tried to hide.

The teacher took it in with a smile.

He gave a fake one back.

Nobody is a hero.

Alex Rider knew that.

But they can try.

Alex Rider agreed with that.

And that's what counts.

Hi! I know I've been out of it lately, but happy first and second of December! Sorry, it's quite late when I'm writing this and I have no idea when I'll publish it, so best to be on the safe side. Merry Christmas! And goodbye!

- RomioneAndHinny