Heroes were princes and farmboys, thieves and wizards, orphans and castaways. Heroes were never really everyday people, even if they sometimes pretended to be. And heroes most definitely didn’t work at McDonalds. Which is why Greg was pretty sure the odd dragon-looking thing hovering in front of him had made a mistake.

“What, are you deaf?” The dragon-bird zoomed closer, dragonfly wings beating an invisible hum. Greg stumbled back with a yelp, tripping over the mop bucket and catching the attention of the night manager.

“Greg? You okay?” Becca leaned down to peer through the warmer. They were the only two people in the building, as their store was one of the few that had never made 24hour status.

“Um, no?” His eyes never left the dragon, but it had yet to make any threatening moves. “I think?”

“What the hell?” She finally caught a glimpse of the whateveritwas that had flown in through the drive through window. “Don’t move.”

“I wasn’t going to!”

“This is all very fascinating,” the dragon snapped, “but as I said, I need a human. As you are neither deaf or overly stupid, you will do.”

“Tough.” Becca had made it to the front counter and helped Greg get back to his feet. “His shift isn’t over until 1, so go find another human.”

The dragon paused, “well, I suppose you’ll do, but–” “Eh, no.” Becca crossed her arms and gave the hovering lizard a dismissive frown. “No one in this building is going to supply you with a warm body for, well, for whatever you need a warm body for. Now scat before I get the bug spray.”

“The fate of the world is at stake and you’re threatening me?”

“Yes.”

The dragon’s reply was drowned out in the splintering crash as a SUV plowed into the side of the building. Becca and Greg dove for the floor and the dragon took the opportunity to curl around Greg’s shoulder and down his arm, seeping into Greg’s skin until only a thin line of iridescent scales remained.

“GAH!” Greg’s mad flailing distracted Becca, and the two of them took a long moment before they realized something was on the other side of the counter, staring down at them. Something large and not at all friendly.