A/N: This is another teaser chapter. It's something I thought of and wrote...so I'm just seeing if this is what people wanna read. So send a review and maybe I'll turn it into a complete story. I know this is a whole lot shorter than my last teaser chapter...sorry. They all can't be like five pages long.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Covenant -- or the beginning quote. I also got 'not a hero' from a Simple plan song. But I did invent Peyton.

Warning: Violence and language. Maybe sex, but maybe not. There isn't a mary sue, but there is a female character in which Reid falls for. Redundant, I know and that's why I'm warning you.

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Not a hero

Everyday I tried figuring out the first sign. The moment I didn't see.

"Reid?" Her eyes had gone wide and with a gasp of surprise, Peyton rushed forward. She fell to her knees beside Reid's crumbled form, her hands groping, searching for some form of life. Trembling hands found a faint pulse. Peyton pulled back and stared evenly down at Reid. Wasn't this the plan? Incapcitate the next strongest member of the covenant. Reid Garwin. Isn't this what she worked so hard for? So why did she have such a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach, and why were tears pushing at the back of her throat? Why was she trembling? All for some boy, hardly worth the trouble. But he wasn't just some boy; he was a seemingly innocent boy who hadn't done her any wrong. Who didn't deserve this. "Reid?" Peyton asked again, her trembling whisper barely reaching her own ears.

Blue eyes snapped open and Reid gasped loudly, jerking awake. Peyton reached out to him, to steady him, disorientation thick in his wild gaze. Reid drew away from her touch. "Don't fucking touch me," he snapped harshly, his voice raw and raspy. Peyton sat back on her heels, staring unashamed at him. Reid didn't want to admit it, but he wasn't just disoriented. He hurt, everywhere. He felt more exhausted than he'd ever felt his entire life. And that's when he realized what had happened. He had used more tonight than he ever had before, and he knew he was right there on the edge, ready to plung into addiction. It hadn't been Peyton's fault. She hadn't coaxed him into using. But she had gotten him alone, deserted in some abandoned town. She had told Chase where exactly to find him. And she forced him into a fight they both knew he couldn't win.

Reid hadn't ascended. And Chase not only ascended, but possessed the power of his father. But was it just that? Did Reid feel this growing anger just because he knew how fragile he was right now -- just because he could feel the power coursing through his veins; just because he was itching to use it, even though he knew he was too weak to produce anything substantial? Or was he really angry because Peyton had finally coaxed him into letting down his barriers...and then she abandoned him? And he was pissed for ever letting someone, a girl no less, get that close to him. Close enough to gut him.

"You've been greatly damaged, Reid," Peyton said quickly as Reid shifted in an attempt to climb to his feet. "You shouldn't damage yourself more by moving."

"Shut up," Reid snapped, his voice holding a dangerous edge. He ignored her and let his anger fuel him as he pulled himself painfully to his feet. Peyton quickly rose to her feet and he frowned at the ease in which she stood. Reid gripped his stomach slightly as a rush of pain summerged him. He wavered slightly where he stood and Peyton took a hesitant step forward. Reid held up a trembling hand to still her movement. "Don't touch me," he repeated, stumbling away from her. "What are you still doing here?"

"You can't be left alone in this condition," Peyton admonished. "You could --"

"Die?" Reid finished. "This is kind've counter-productive, don't you think? After you set me up to be slaughtered." Reid stumbled further from Peyton, in search of a door, a way out. Peyton solemnly followed him. Reid stopped suddenly and Peyton paused, watching him closely. "Give me a ride into town," Reid said quietly, his gaze darting up to meet hers and then darting away just as quickly.

Reid had such a lovely gaze, intense, heated. Peyton used to love knowing he was looking at her, but now it pained her. "No," she said quietly. "Not yet. We aren't finished here."