Present Day

It has been about two hours after me and Jessie met Wayne, who is a human just like me and her. And we have asked him a lot of questions, ever since he got in here.

Me and Jessie were both just sitting on the furs in our motel room crossed legged, frowning at Wayne and the black dragoness named Rain, still honestly can't believe every word that Wayne has told us. I asked, "What?"

Wayne also sat crossed legged beside Rain, who is laying on her stomach staring down at me and Jessie. Wayne said, "It's the truth guys. All of it is."

I looked up at Rain and asked her, "Is all that really true?" I shrugged my arms, "Because I honestly have never heard of such things like that. Did...Did dragons really co exist with humanity years ago?"

Rain nodded slowly, "I was there when it all happened, so yes, it's the truth."

Jessie asked with disbelief in her voice, "I don't understand, if that's true, then how come we never heard of all this? If the humanity did befriended your kind Rain, then why did they suddenly just...Forget, just like you said?"

Rain shrugged her shoulders and sighed, "That we really don't know."

Wayne said, "That was years ago, when it all happened. Of course, I've lost track of how many years have passed really. I hardly left the dragon city after all that happened."

Jessie pointed at Wayne, "And so let me get this straight, you got kidnapped by a blue dragon named Sierra and she brought you here?" Then she pointed at Rain, "Just like SHE brought me and Brandon here?"

Wayne just grinned at her, "Pretty odd, huh?"

Jessie glared at Rain, "And seriously, do all dragons do this for a living? Just kidnap humans and bring them all the way up to the mountains to your city?"

Rain narrowed her eyes at her, "We don't do that all the time, if that's what you're asking."

Wayne just coughed to get Rain's attention, she turned her head to look down at Wayne, since his cough got her attention. Wayne shot a look at her, telling her to behave with Jessie. Rain got the idea and nodded. Then Rain looked back at Jessie and said, "Well I still apologize for kidnapping you. I...I just didn't trust you."

Jessie shot at her, "Funny, your kind don't seem to trust anyone pretty much."

Rain glared at her, "Well it's kinda hard to do that since humans can be killers. Even the dragon slayers back then were pretty much killers to my kind."

I frowned at her, "Yeah and that's another thing I've been wondering, you brought up the fact that dragons have lived for a long time. You pretty much said that dragons can live up to be a few hundred years old?"

She nodded at me, "Yes, but I can't be real exact on the number. It just depends on the dragon."

My eyes went wide and I exclaimed, "And you also said that you were born around the time when the knights and castles existed! That would mean...."

Wayne smiled at me and said, "Yep kid, she's like over a thousand years old."

Jessie's eyes went wide too, "What? But how's that possible?"

Rain gestured her paw at Wayne, "Ask him. He knows the answer to that."

Wayne shot a look at Rain, "You do too, big girl."

Rain grinned at him, "Yeah, but I like to hear that theory from you. It always sounded pretty interesting coming from you."

I gestured to Rain and asked Wayne, "So how's that possible? How are the dragons still alive up to this day? I mean...Rain here doesn't look old."

Rain giggled when I said that, "Well thank you for the compliment human."

I looked at her, "I...Guess you're welcome. You really don't look old at all."

Rain just smugly smirked at me and Wayne said, "Well to answer your question about how the dragons who haven't really grown old haven't aged much." Then he motioned his hand around us, "It's because of this city."

I tilted my head, "What do you mean?"

Wayne said, "I mean, it's the dragon city that makes you age slowly than normal. That it's the magic of this city that doesn't make grow old at a normal speed. That the dragons haven't reached their a few hundred thousand year old mark in their bodies."

Jessie waved her hand, "So the city is making them age slower, is that what you're telling us?"

Wayne nodded, "Yes."

I asked, "How and why?"

Wayne hummed to himself and looked up at the ceiling of our room, "Well, before you two saw the city, have you noticed that you didn't see it before and then the world shifted and you guys saw it?"

I remembered last night, when Rain was carrying me and Jessie in her paws. And when were in the mountains almost to the city, we didn't see it at first. But suddenly the world shifted and poof, the city appeared in front of us. Like...Something was hiding it from the world.

My eyebrows when the idea came, "Yeah, the city wasn't there in front of us at first, but then it just appeared out of nowhere, like something was hiding it."

Rain nodded, "There's an invisibility cloak surrounding the city. You see, my ancestors who built this city a long time ago, had this magic and then that's how they made that cloak, making my city invisible until you're close to it."

Jessie has a confused look in her eyes and shrugged her arms, "So what does the cloak, have anything to do with your kind not aging fast?"

Wayne said, "I believe it's because that cloak has magical properties and it just makes you age slower than normal." Then he gestured toward Rain with his thumb and added, "Of course, you have to stay in the dragon city for longer periods of time just to have the magic has it effect on you."

Rain nodded agreeing to that thought, "And with that, that's how me and most of my kind still are alive up to this day." She shook her head, "And no one never knew that at all. A lot of my kind actually thought it was our ancestors keeping us alive, but now that I think about it now, Wayne's theory is right."

I gestured to Wayne, "And you Wayne, you lived in this city for a long time and...You haven't aged much either? How old are you? What year were you born in?"

Wayne giggled and said, "1990."

Jessie gasped and my eyes went wide at his answer. What?! Holy freakin shit!

He's...He's....Not old at all!

Judging by the way he looks, he looks like he's still in his mid thirties.

Is it...Really possible?

Did that magic that slowed down the dragons aging, slowed down Wayne's as well?

Well he doesn't look old, and he certainly does not have any white hair on him. He still has that brown hair color.

Hold crap, he must be telling the truth about the whole aging slower in the city kind of thing.

The dragons age slower and apparently it works on humans too.

That's pretty crazy!

My mother would never believe THIS!

Wayne's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Brandon?"

I shook my head a bit and said, "Sorry about that. I...Just can't believe it."

Wayne assured, "I'm telling you the truth guys. I was born in the year 1990."

Jessie still shook her head in disbelief, "Oh my god."

Rain cocked her head, "What? What is it?" She narrowed her eyes at us, "You better just tell us, you two."

I said to Wayne, "Wayne?" He looked at me and I asked, "You said that you were about twenty years old when you met Sierra, right?"

He nodded, "Right."

I said, "And that year that you've met her, you said that it was the year....2010?"

He nodded again, "Right."

Jessie asked, "And that was also the year that the dragons and the humans co existed?"

Rain said, "Of course, that's what Wayne tells me."

My eyes went wide again. I didn't believe it at first, and I also didn't understand it at all.

But now I understand it and I get it.

The humans and the dragons started to co exist in the year 2010.

And that was about....Seventy-five years ago!

I gasped a bit and said it out loud, "Oh my god."

Wayne and Rain both frowned at me, they both asked in unison, "What?"

I asked Wayne, "Wayne....What year did the humans and the dragons stopped talking to each other?"

He answered, "2019. About nine years after that our kind has co existed." Then he frowned again, "Why?"

I frowned trying to come up with the mathematical answer and I finally came up with it, "Guys, this year is 2085! How many years have gone by since that happened, it was about sixty six years ago!"

Both Wayne and Rain's faces were so wide, even their color kinda drained from their faces. They didn't believe it either.

But it's true, it has been sixty six years since the year 2019 has come and go.

Wayne placed a hand to his forehead, "Gosh...That long."

Rain looked down at the floor, "Sixty six years.....Sixty six long years." Then she shut her eyes tight.

I frowned at her. Wonder what's gotten into her? She seems...Sad.

I wonder what's wrong with her?

Wayne removed his hand and said, "I'm sorry about that. I'm...Just surprised about all this."

Rain opened her eyes and looked at me and Jessie, "Me too."

Jessie shook her head, "That...Really does sound hard to believe."

Rain said to Jessie, "Isn't that obvious?"

Jessie shook her head  and changed the subject, "Okay, since all this is done and over with, let me get on with another question. Are you for certain you don't know why the humans have forgotten that dragons are friends? Do you guys have any idea why?"

Wayne sighed and shrugged his arms, "We have no idea."

I gestured to him, "Don't you know? Surely you must have known."

He shook his head, "No one never knew why humanity suddenly changed. For nine years, they've accepted dragonkind as friends, and the next thing we knew nine years later, one day it happened."

Rain had a glum look on her face and glanced away, "We've tried to figure out the answer for a long time, but we never did. But I wish I knew. Then...I wouldn't..." She sighed.

I looked at her. She has that sad look again.

Something's on her mind. I can see it.

Jessie said with a disbelief tone, "Well humans don't forget things just like that. That's...Unbelievable."

Wayne got up on his feet and said, "Look guys, I know it's a lot to take in." He placed a hand to his chest, "I know I need to let some things sink in as well. Since I now know that sixty six years have passed." He looked at himself and his  eyes went wide, "I'm not even old at all! I should be ninety five by now!"

I shook my head in shock and muttered, "Jesus."

Wayne laughed a  bit at that and said to me, "Yeah, Jesus is right!"

Rain sighed and then slowly got up on all fours, and then Wayne asked, "So...Did I answer all your questions the best I could?"

Jessie got up and so did I. I said, "I...I think so."

Jessie nodded, "I guess."

Wayne walked up to us and said, "Look guys, I know the dragons really look scary and dangerous, but they're not like that. And I'm still sorry for what my friend did to you, but you still can't blame her, right? She thought that she didn't trust you and...You two don't seem to want to kill any dragons at all."

Jessie crossed her arms and said, "Just don't give us a reason to do that."

Rain glared at her, "That makes two of us."

I waved my hands in defense, "We won't try anything, and....We'll stay here as long as you want. Until we gained your trust in us and then-"

Rain nodded and finished my sentence, "I'll take you two home, since I'm sure you won't want to stay here forever."

Jessie let out a breath and said, "I wonder how long THAT would take?"

Rain lowered her head to Jessie's level and said, "You might as well have patience, it might be a while." Then Rain raised her head above us and said, "Look, you don't have to stay in this motel, you may come and go as you please. Just don't cause any trouble in the city and you'll do fine, understand? Because my tail is on the line for you."

I nodded, "Yes."

Rain nodded and whirled around on us. me and Jessie ducked under her tail. Rain said without looking at us, "I'm going now. So the two of you try to have a beautiful day and remember." She looked over her shoulder at us, "No TROUBLE." She looked ahead and walked away from me, Wayne and Jessie. She went through the opening of the room and left us.

Jessie glared after she left, "I really don't like her. She's...Kinda of a bitch."

Wayne giggled and said to Jessie, "Well my friend Sierra was like that with me, when I first met her."

Jessie gestured to Wayne, "How can you still be friends with a dragon who kidnapped you? I don't get it, it still isn't right."

Wayne nodded and said, "I know what this looks like to you, but Rain's not who you think she is, she's really sweet and kind. She just doesn't know you and it's normal among dragons. Just let her get to know you two and....One day she'll take you guys home." Then he grinned and added, "Or maybe you guys can stay in the dragon city as long as you want. You'd really love it here."

Jessie narrowed her eyes at him, "Love it? There's no television here and not to mention, NO cell phones!"

Wayne laughed and shrugged his arms, "Don't know what to tell ya about THAT." Then he looked at both of us, "Guys listen and remember this, the dragons are not monsters and they're not so hateful. They really have feelings just like we do. You just have to give them a chance." He whirled around on us and said over his shoulder, "Remember that guys, and you might even love staying here." And with that he jogged out of the motel room. Leaving me and Jessie alone.

Jessie and I stared at the opening for a long time and she said, "I don't believe it."

I looked at her and frowned, "About what?"

She turned to me, "About what Wayne said, you know about the dragons and humans co existing. I just...Find it hard to believe."

I shrugged, "Well obviously we both have never heard of any of this and-"

Jessie shoved a finger in my chest, "Exactly! So how are we supposed to believe THAT? That dragons and humans co exist? That sounds like a dream."

I sighed, "Well...Wayne, by the way he talks about it, he seems to be...Telling the truth."

Jessie glared at me, "You're not buying any of this crap, are you?"

I shrugged, "I don't know what to believe. I mean...The humans suddenly forget about dragons being their friends, that sounds kinda fishy. How can we forget something like that?"

Jessie said, "Well I just think that the dragons, especially that dragon Sierra has done something to Wayne. I think they may have brainwashed him and made him say those things."

I asked, "Brainwash him how?"

Jessie said, "Well...I don't know how they would brainwash him." She raised a finger, "But lets not forget that we never heard that dragons and humans co existed and we should not forget that Rain kidnapped us."

I grinned at her, "You're not gonna let THAT go, are you?"

She shook her head, "Nope. I'm still pissed."

I waved my hand at her, "Look Jessie, maybe we're both wrong about this. What if Wayne's telling the truth? What if we did co exist with dragons?"

She asked, "And what if he's not telling the truth? What if the dragons brainwashed him into doing that?" Her eyes went wide at her thought, "Hell for all we know they might be using him as a slave. That they would kidnap humans and turn them into slaves!"

I sighed and waved her off, "Look I'm going to try to make the best of things right now. Since we're stuck in this city for a while. They seem nice to us so far, so lets try to give them a chance." Then I added by raising a finger, "And I don't see any slavery right now, so you could be wrong about THAT."

Jessie stared at me with disbelief and distrust in her eyes, "I hope so."

I backed away from her, "Look I'm going to leave the motel, you want to walk with me?"

She shook her head, "No I'm still tired, so I'm gonna lay down for a while. Then maybe I'll leave and go somewhere."

I said to her while backing away, "Ok." I whirled around on her, but then a thought came to me and I turned back around to face her, "Jessie?"

She looked at me and I said with a guilty look, "Look...About what happened before we got here, how we ended up in this mess...I'm sorry about everything. I should have just stayed out of that cave."

Jessie smiled and shook her head, "It's not your fault. You weren't the one who kidnapped us and forced us against our will to come here."

I smiled back and I said, "Later Jess." I turned my back on her after that.

Jessie's voice stopped me from moving, "Brandon."

I looked over my shoulder and she said, "Be careful. If things look fishy to you, like slavery and all that, get back here on the double."

I giggled a bit when she said that, "I'll keep that in mind. And....You too." And with that I went through the opening, to go exploring the unfamiliar dragon city.

*****

Diana came to the police station alone and sat down in the sheriff's room. The sheriff is sitting behind his desk, face was stern with concern.

The sheriff said, "I'm sorry about your son, but you really have no idea why he would run away? No note, telling you where he's going?"

She shook her head, "No. And he has never done this before. I'm...Really worried about him." Then she begged, "Please sheriff. Me and my boyfriend are really worried about him. I need your help."

The sheriff pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Well your son's not the only one who's missing. Apparently the Dobbins family has a missing daughter and they want me to find her as well."

He removed his hand off his nose and pointed at Diana, "I bet that those two have run off together. That'd be my theory about them."

Diana gave him a pleading look, "Please sheriff, Brandon's the only family I have left. I can't bear to lose him too."

The sheriff nodded, "I know and I remember your husband well. He was a great man." He reached over his desk and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll find him, just like we'll find Jessie Dobbins. They couldn't have gone far. I'll put out an APB on him as well."

Diana got up from her chair and went around his desk. Then she gave him a big hug and said, "Thank you." Then she started crying in his shoulder, and the sheriff comforted her while she was sobbing.

*****

I padded on top of the wall, just thinking about what Brandon said to me and Wayne. A shocked look still plastered on my face.

Sixty six years.

Sixty six long years since...It happened.

Since Tommy stopped...Speaking to me and viewed me as a monster. Since he changed just like the rest of humanity.

I can't believe it.

Tommy was probably twenty one when I last talked to him.

And now since...Sixty six years have long passed....He must be....

I shut my eyes tight, trying to not let the tears form. He must be old.

By humans years living outside the city, he would be so old by now. Maybe eighty seven.

That old man who lives at his house, it really was him. I know it for certain now.

I let out a small breath. I wish that Tommy didn't change, then that way he would live with me and live longer just like Wayne and Amanda.

I opened my eyes and stopped walking. Then I looked outside the city, out to the lands. I was thinking about her.

Sierra....Where are you?

I wish I knew where you were. Wayne...Misses you.

We all miss you.

I miss you, my friend.

Where did you go?

You just....Disappeared one day.

Where are you?

I heard a voice behind me, "Rain?"

I looked over my shoulder and saw Wayne behind me. I smiled at him, "Hello Wayne. Got nothing else to do?"

Wayne grinned and shook his head, "Nope. Honestly I wanted to spend time with you, since you were gone for months again."

I said and patted a spot beside me, "Go ahead. I'm not planning on leaving again right now." Then I sat down on my haunches staring at the city outskirts.

Wayne walked up and stood beside me. He sighed and said, "Nice view as usual up here. I can always tell it's a nice view."

I sighed and nodded in agreement, "Yep."

Wayne turned his head to look up at me, "You okay?"

I sighed again and looked down at him, "Honestly...Yes and no."

Wayne asked, "Yes and no? Which one should I ask first? The yes part? Or the no part?"

I shrugged my wings and shoulders, "Both I guess." I looked out at the lands again and said, "I'll start off with the yes part, I suppose. I'm happy to see you again so far. But I haven't seen the others yet."

Wayne smiled and said, "Well, it's always nice to see you too." Then he chuckled.

I said without looking at him, with a glum look, "And the no part. Well...I still can't believe that...Sixty six years have passed."

He had a concerned look and shrugged, "Why is that a bad thing?"

I didn't say anything to him, but then he said my answer out loud, "Tommy?"

I still didn't look at him and I said, "Yeah...." I sighed, "It's just..." I trailed off.

Wayne placed a comforting hand on my body, "Look Rain, you know that there's nothing you can do for him now. He really has changed just like everyone else for some reason."

I nodded and finally looked down at him, "Yeah I know...It's just that I can't help, but think about him. I know that everyone, including you has told me to forget about him and move on. But...I can't do that. I...I feel like I just want to watch over him. Just hoping that he'll call out to me by my human name. Then me and him would embrace each other just like before. And...We would be friends again."

He had a look of sympathy, "You miss him, huh?"

I nodded slowly, "I always have."

Wayne looked out at the lands too and said, "Well you're not the only one who misses someone, I...I miss Sierra." He sighed unhappily, "Hard to believe up to his day that she's gone."

I had a sad and pity look for him, "I miss her too. You're no the only one."

Wayne shrugged, "I wish that I knew why she just disappeared and never came back. I wish....That..." His throat was starting to tighten.

I just looked down at him. I can feel his pain.

We both missed someone that we cared about the most.

I miss Tommy, he misses Sierra.

I wish I knew what happened to her, just like I wish I knew what happened to humanity and why they've changed. Including Tommy.

I lowered my head to his level and I started nuzzling his chest. He smiled while I was nuzzling him and he petted the top of my head affectionately, "Thank you, Rain."

I said while I was nuzzling him, "If there's any consolation, you'd fix me, I'd fix you."

Wayne said, "Well you certainly do a good job at fixing me. I know it that much." He sighed unhappily and moved his eyes to his right, "I...I still love her."

I sighed and stopped nuzzling him, "I know. I know how that feels." I removed my head from his chest and turned my head to look at his face, I smiled at him, "Are you okay?"

Wayne nodded and raised his hand to caress my cheek, "A lot better, thank you." I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch, just loving it. He looked down at the ground and said, "You know, if there was any way for things to be back to normal...I'd find it."

I muttered without opening my eyes, "Me too."

He removed his hand and sighed, "Well...I guess we're tired of sharing our sad, hopeful wishes." He smiled at me, "Want to walk together? I could use some company."

I smiled and nodded at him, "Of course. Anything to take my mind off of Tommy."

Then he said, "And maybe, you'll get to know those two humans that you've brought here. I think they would make good company." He winked at me.

I sighed, when I thought about Brandon and...Jessie, "I'll try my best with those two. Especially Jessie." I groaned a bit, "I hope that she doesn't let out her high pitch scream at my ears. I've had enough screams that'll last for another few hundred years."

He laughed hard at that and I raised my head off of his level, just chuckling a bit. Then I got off of my haunches and we both walked together on the wall, side by side.

I was still thinking about Tommy and Sierra as we walked.

Sierra...Why did you disappear?

Tommy...Will you ever be my best friend again?

Will you?

But then Brandon and Jessie just popped up in my mind.

I wonder how the intruder of my cave and his annoying girlfriend are doing here?

They better not get in trouble, or I'll have a stern talk with them.

*****

I was just walking on the streets of the city, checking out the sights around me. Looking at each stone building on each side of the street.

I guess I wouldn't have to worry about walking in the middle of the street, since there are no cars in the dragon city. Dragons don't drive cars, they fly!

And speaking of dragons since I came out of the motel, I've noticed that there were a lot more than I saw last night. I guess most of them were sound asleep when me and Jessie came here last night. Right now, it must be the afternoon.

Several of them were just staring down at me, just looking at me with curiosity.

But I honestly feel like I don't have anything to say to them. And not to mention, I don't like all the attention that's on me.

Makes me feel like I have stage fright like usual.  Only they're not humans, they're dragons. I sighed to myself. I need to find a place to be alone.

Up ahead, I could see a grass area nearby, which I think it must be the park in the middle of the city. I jogged to it, until I was further from the street area. Then I slowed down to a walk. I don't see a lot of dragons here, except about three of them. But hey, at least there's not a lot here like out on the streets. I took a slow, deep breath and let it out.

Now my feet are kinda killing me, so I found myself a spot near a pond and sat down near it. I sighed as I looked at my own reflection. This just feels so odd to me.

Dragons here are actually living here, not to mention they appear to have stores and all that stuff. They talk like us, which Wayne and Rain haven't gotten a chance to tell me all that. They were just telling me about dragons and humanity co existing, that the dragons are just like us, that the dragons have lived for a long time in the city, aging slowly as years go by, also Wayne's aging slower along with any humans who might have stayed here.

I do believe that sixty six years have passed since 2019  has come and go, and I also believe that the dragons have aged slower than normal, now that makes perfect sense. Makes perfect sense why that cloak is over the city, making it hide from the world, not to mention making you age slow as well.

But there is one thing I don't get.

I still don't get it. About the part with the humans and dragons becoming friends and suddenly the humans just forget about them as friends. That's...Pretty strange. Not to mention it sounds fishy. How could humans just forget something like that? We're not that forgetful.

A part of me doesn't believe all that, but then I also remember the way Wayne looked at me and Jessie when he was explaining everything to us.

He seemed to be telling the truth, but how do I know that for sure?

I guess if there was any human being in the world who is still alive up to this day since it happened, that person would tell me and I'd believe it.

I'm trying to believe it, but I'm also wondering if I can believe it.

Well the dragons haven't tried to hurt me so far since I've been out of the motel, so...Maybe Wayne's telling the truth the whole time.

Arrg...This is driving me crazy!

I wish I could SEE the truth from back then! That way I wouldn't question it.

Great, now I'm starting to sound like Jessie. I'm starting to not trust anyone here.

How can I? Can I absolutely trust anyone here?

Well I haven't seen any signs of slavery of captured humans by dragons or anything like that. Things have been pretty quiet.

I need to quit doing that. I'm sure that Rain will let us go home one day. I just need to get to know her and some dragons. Maybe I would like them.

Maybe.

Rain...

I remember that Rain had that sad look on her face when we were all talking. I wonder what's wrong with her? What's she thinking about?

Maybe...Rain's not all bad as Jessie thinks.

And I suppose, I don't think she's bad at all. She hasn't tried to kill us and she has been sorta fair to us.

But I guess the whole, kidnapping us was a bit much, but hey I can't blame her that she doesn't knows us and trusts us.

Me and Jessie are just strangers wondering in her forest and we got caught up in her life.

Maybe things could change between us.

I may not totally believe that dragons have became friends with the whole humanity, but hey if they're nice to me, I'll be nice to them.

Why did things change back then if Wayne and Rain were telling the truth? Why did humanity forget about them?

More importantly, how can humanity just forget about them?

I wish I knew. I'm just confused.

A shadow was over me and a voice behind me said, "Wayne?"

I jumped up and whirled around. I saw a tall green dragon standing over me, the sun blocked by him, as his shadow is still over me. The green dragon sounded male by his voice. He cocked his head as he looked at my face, "Oh, you're not Wayne. You're another human."

He sat down on his haunches and giggled, "Sorry about that. I thought you were someone else."

I waved him off and shook my head, "Don't worry about it. We all make tiny mistakes sometimes."

The green dragon shrugged and giggled again, "Yeah well, this is the spot that me and Wayne met years ago." He smiled as he remembered the memories, "I can still remember that day."

I frowned as I was looking up at him, "You know Wayne?"

He lowered his head to my level and I let out a gasp, "Well of course, I know Wayne. Me and him are pals." Then he cocked his head at me, "Say, I haven't seen a fresh face for a while. Have we met before?"

I simply said, "No."

The tall green dragon nodded, "I thought so, you do seem unfamiliar to me. Are you new here?"

I rubbed the back of my neck and shyly said, "Y-Yeah...." I trailed off.

He has a concerned look on his green face, "What's the matter human?" He giggled, "Am I scaring you?" He raised his head off my level, "I wouldn't worry about it, I may be big and tall, but I wasn't always this way. I used to be small, just like you." Then he added, "And I won't bite either. I promise." He gave me a grin, showing me his teeth.

I giggled and said, "Well...It's just because I'm new here in this city. And I'm trying to get used to all this. I never met your kind before."

The green dragon nodded, "I can understand that, Wayne was just like you. All shy and everything. He didn't know what to think about my kind either. Not all that much." Then he put a paw to his chest and said, "As for me, I've been interested in humanity since I was a hatchling. I used to study about them in classes."

I raised one eyebrow and nodded slowly, "Interesting."

He put his paw on the ground and asked me, "What's your name? I don't think you'd like me calling you human a lot. I think that'd be rude."

I nodded, "Yeah I suppose it would be rude. That kinda sounds so...Stereotypical." I placed a hand to my chest and introduced myself, "My name's Brandon. Brandon Long." I gestured to him, "You are?"

The tall green dragon said, "Well I can tell you my human name, since my REAL name would be so hard to say in your tongue!" He laughed and then he nodded, "I'm Cody."

I smiled, "Cody...Good human name for you."

He beamed and nodded, "Thank you!" Then we both heard his stomach growling and his face went wide, "Oops...I'm hungry."

I laughed and then I said, "Then you should eat, big guy."

Cody tossed up his head, "Oh I was planning on it! You see I was just on my way to the restaurant to eat." He licked his chops, "I can taste the food already!"

Then he lowered his head to my level and asked, "Hey new guy, do you want to eat with me? I could use company today. I went to Wayne's house, but he wasn't there, I could use another human friend in my circles."

I frowned at him, "You're...You're calling me friend?"

"Sure! Why not?"

I gave him a small grin, "Well because we don't know each other."

He raised his head above my level and shot up his head, "So? I can tell that you're not some evil human who plots to kill my kind at every turn. Actually...You remind me of Wayne in a way."

I giggled shyly a bit, "Ah...Thank you."

Cody then had a glum look on his face, "I haven't met any new humans since things changed outside the city." Then he smiled down at me, "But I'm glad that I've met you already. You seem okay to me, so far."

I waved at him and said, "Well I guess pleasures all mine."

Cody asked, "So do you want to eat with me?"

I nodded, "I have already eaten a few apples this morning, but sure I'll eat with you. Where are we going?"

He smiled brightly again, "Oh, you're gonna love that place! It's called the Braveheart." Then he started to trot away from me, "Follow me, it's not far away from here!"

I nodded to myself and followed behind him, "Alright, lets go!"

I didn't know him that much but....He seems pretty friendly to me.

Now that I think about it, I don't think there is slavery here after all.

And now a small part of me is actually believing that everything that Wayne and Rain have been telling me and Jessie, is true.

That humans and dragons really have co existed after all.

I know it's too fast and too soon to really believe it, but I think I'm starting to believe it now.

The way I look at it, they all seem to be telling me the truth.

I wonder if Jessie believes it now, just like I do?

Hell, she thought that Wayne has been kidnapped and brainwashed by dragons, but I doubt it.

I don't feel like I'm being brainwashed, and I think that's a good enough reason to be with Cody.

I guess I'll talk to Jessie about it when I'm done eating at the Braveheart.

I had a big smile on my face, thinking about food already. I hope the food there is good!

*****

Me and Cody have walked side by side, until I could see a sign near a big stone building that says The Breaveheart not far from where we're at.

Me and Cody stopped in front of the restaurant and I gazed at the exterior of the place. Don't look too bad.

Cody lowered his head to my level and whispered in my ear, "Like the place?"

I nodded without looking at him, "Yeah."

Cody then raised his head and said, "Well we haven't went in there yet! So lets go!"

I looked up at him and asked, "Are you paying for the food?"

He looked down at me and answered, "Oh yes and don't worry about it. I want to pay the food for you. You'd do the same for me."

I smiled and nodded, "Well alright, lets go in." And with that, me and Cody went inside the restaurant. After we went in, my face went wide in surprise.

The interior of the Braveheart is much better than the exterior. It looks like a five star restaurant!

So many booths for dragons to sit in. There are two kinds of seats for everyone to sit in. Ones for the big dragons and ones for small dragons. Small enough for a human like me to sit on. At least they're considerate for someone who's...Small.

Me and Cody were standing around near the entrance and we could see a...Human woman coming toward us.

She's about the same age Wayne is judging by her looks. She must have stayed in the city just like he did, that's a thought anyways. She has long brunette hair, and it's tied in a ponytail. The human woman beamed at Cody, "Cody! I was wondering if you were eating today!"

He lowered his head to her level and nuzzled her, "Hey there and sorry that I was late, I was caught up on something."

The human giggled and she pulled herself away from him, "What made you late?"

He gestured me with his head, "Him." Then he looked at me and so did the human female.

I waved at her, "Uh...Hello."

She frowned at me, "Oh....Hi there. Are you new here? I don't think I've met you before." I shook my head and she looked at Cody, "Cody, who is he?"

Cody looked at her and said, "This is Brandon. He's new in the city. Apparently from what he's been telling me, our friend Rain actually brought him and his friend here."

Her eyes went wide and she let out a long sigh, "Ah well, I had a feeling that something like this would happen. Rain has been staying outside the city a lot."

I asked her, "I take it you know Rain as well?"

The human female looked at me and nodded, "Yeah, but she's friendly as me and Cody are." Then she smiled at me, "So, how are you liking the dragon city? Since this is your first time here. There aren't a lot of humans that come here anymore."

I frowned at her, "Wait, there were a lot of humans that have come to the city?"

The human shrugged, "Well the dragons usually bring a few humans here, so they would see this big beautiful place. But ever since things changed outside the city, they...." She shook her head, "Well anyways, I better introduce myself." She reached out her hand so I could shake it, "I'm Amanda. Amanda Fuller."

I reached out to shake her hand, "Nice to meet you."

She let go of my hand and said, "Well I'm guessing that you're hungry? I bet you are."

Cody licked his chops and said, "Yup!"

My stomach growled and I place my hand on it, "Yeah, I'm hungry too."

Amanda laughed and beckoned us with her hand, "Well then, follow me boys!"

After that, me and Cody followed Amanda to our seats. After she led us to our seats, we both sat down. Then Amanda left me a menu and I was surprised just by looking at it. This place even has menus?! Dragons can make menus?! Man, they're SMART!

Amana smirked at me and said, "Yeah I know, I was like you. I was surprised as you are."

I looked through the menu and muttered, "Yeah."

She turned her head and asked Cody, "The usual for you, Cody?"

Cody smugly grinned to her, "You know me all too well." He lowered his head to her level and she patted his nose.

I ordered what I wanted and Amanda left. I looked around the restaurant, still in pretty much shock to see all of this.

Goodness, if my mother was here and not living with an abusive boyfriend, she would be surprised as I am!

Even my dad, if he was still alive would be surprised.

That about this city being full of surprises.

I saw a stage nearby and I frowned at it. I wonder what THAT is for?

Do Dragons entertain here or something?

Oh boy, this is another thing that surprises me. A dragon doing entertainment!

A voice behind me interrupted my thoughts, "Pretty curious about it?" I jumped up in my seat and turned around to look see a dragon's head, his head was close to mine. He giggled at me, "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you." He raised his head above my level and looked down at me.

He's a red dragon, about as tall as Cody here. The red dragon came up from behind me, until he was standing beside me. He sat down on his haunches and said, "Don't think I've seen you in here before. New human, I presume?"

I nodded and Cody from across the table, beamed at him, "Hey Neal."

The red dragon who's named Neal, looked at Cody and grinned, "Hey young dragon! I knew I recognized you, did you bring this human here?"

He nodded, "Oh yes, I've found him in the park and we both came straight here." He then looked at me and said, "He's one hungry human!"

I giggled and said, "Well I'm a human, and I get hungry all the time!"

Cody and Neal tossed up their head and laughed. Then Neal asked, "What's your name?"

I said to him, "Brandon."

Neal cocked his head down at me, "Brandon?" Then he grinned down at me, "Well Brandon, it's very nice to meet you! I haven't seen another human here since....Years ago, I think."

I nodded to him, "Yeah I know, that things have changed outside the city and you haven't flew out of here for a long time. I get the point."

Neal hummed, "Well you really are the first new human I've seen in a long time, and I'm glad you haven't called me a monster. It...It means a lot."

I smiled at him, "Thank you, and the reason why I haven't called you any of you guys that is....You're not acting like monsters."

Neal gave me a devious grin, "How am I supposed to act like a monster? Show you my teeth and let out a very loud roar?"

I laughed and just shrugged my shoulders, "I suppose that's how you act like one."

Neal frowned, "What? But roaring is one of the dragons specialties! We love to roar!"

All of us heard a voice, "Neal, what are you doing now?"

I looked and saw that Amanda is coming back with our orders in both her hands. She laid the plates of food for me and Cody, and then Amanda turned to Neal and put both hands to her hips. She was shooting a glare at him, "Neal, do I have to kick you in the eggs again for showing off in our restaurant?"

My face went wide when she said that. Eggs? Oh! I think she means his nuts!

I looked at both Neal and Amanda in surprise. Did she kick Neal in the nuts before? Oh my god!

Kicking a dragon like that! She must have bigger balls than I thought! I was about to giggle and I cupped my hand to my mouth, just to stifle a giggle.

Neal waved his paw at her in defense, "I wasn't doing anything!"

Amanda raised an eyebrow, "Neal, remember the last time you've showed off in here? You thrashed your big tail around and knocked over a few tables. That's why I don't like you show offing in here!"

Neal lowered his head to her level, "But you know me all too well! I don't show off!"

Then Amanda slapped his nose and he jerked back, "Ow!" He raised his head above her level and scrunched up his nose, "Damn it." Then he started rubbing it.

Amanda giggled after she did that, "I think we're on the same page as usual, right big guy?"

Neal nodded when he was done rubbing his nose. Then he looked down at her, "Sorry."

Amanda gave him an apologetic look, "It's okay. I'm sorry for slapping you. I'm just a co owner and I'm just keeping you in line. We're doing a favor for our friend."

Neal lowered his head to her level and nuzzled her chest, "Oh I know. I know." She started caressing his neck and nose while he nuzzled her.

I smiled at the scene. Gosh...They really are best friends.

I can tell that Amanda is not being brainwashed and treated like a slave. I can certainly bet that she and Wayne have stayed in the city on their own choice, they were never forced to stay here by the dragons at all.

I can just see it now.

Neal pulled his head off of her and looked at me and Cody, "Well Brandon, it's nice to meet you. And as for you Cody, nice to see you here as usual!"

Cody smiled at him, "Nice to see you too, old man!"

Neal growled and glared at him, "I'm not old, you little green runt."

Cody gave him a mock gasp, "Me? Little?" He narrowed his eyes at him, "I'm NOT LITTLE anymore. I'm grown to be big and strong!"

Amanda grinned at Cody and teased him, "Yeah, for being a show off just like Neal here."

Both Neal and Cody said to Amanda in unison, "We're not show offs!" Then me and Amanda laughed, while Cody and Neal both grumbled under their breath.

For about an hour later, Amanda and Neal already left after me and Cody talked to them, after they left I started eating my food, which it's a big slab of meat with spices. Pretty much big enough for a small dragon to eat. And let me tell you, the food tastes good! Better than eating at the bar back at Leon.

While I was eating, me and Cody have chatted for a while. Just small stuff, about what we like and all that. I asked Cody about the stage nearby and he gave me the biggest grin he could muster.

According to him, the reason why that stage is there, is because dragons get on that stage to sing.

Which that became a big surprise to me, dragons can sing!

Well for what Cody said that some kind of gem is on that stage and...It's pretty odd on how he explains it to me.

That the gem on stage is magical and whoever sings up there, the gem makes their voice louder! The gem can even read your mind and play whatever sound you have in your brain, and everyone hears it!

Honestly, I don't know if I should believe it or what. That kind of thing is impossible!

But then again, I thought dragons existing is impossible too, so....Oh I guess I'll see the gem to believe it one day. Maybe when someone up there's singing.

A dragon singing? Well I hope it's not just a very loud roar, if that's the only lyric they could think of!

He even told me he has a family, and that as soon as he was done eating here, he would go back home.

I smiled when he was talking about family. Well...At least he has a family to go back to.

Me, well I feel like I don't have much of a family. Since dad died and mom just doesn't listen to me like she used to. That she only defended Gerry.

If only you've listened to me about him, mom. You...Would've been happy here.

But no, you just had to say, 'he's not all bad'. Well he is all bad and he's bad news.

I wished you've listened to me, mom. I wish you did.

For awhile me and Cody are done eating and we both said goodbye to Amanda and Neal and left the restaurant.

After we were outside, Cody turned his body to me and looked down at me. He said with a smile, "Well...It was nice meeting you, Brandon."

I smiled up at him, "Yeah, it was great. I loved the food!"

He shot up his head, "Me too! The Braveheart is always my favorite place to eat."

I nodded, "I could imagine."

He lowered his head to my level, "Just remember, if you really need to talk about something, me and the guys usually hang out in there."

I reached up and patted his neck, "Sure, I'll remember that."

Cody raised his head and said, "Well, hope to see you again kid." He winked at me and he whirled around on me. His tail almost taking my head off. I cried out and ducked under it. Cody heard my scram and he gave me an apologetic look, "Sorry about that. I still feel like I'm still small and short and that my tail wouldn't hit anyone. But apparently, I'm still not used to it."

I waved him off and laughed, "Don't worry about it."

He nodded and then he padded off. I was watched him walk away and I sighed. He's a great guy.

Not only him, but Wayne, Amanda, and Neal are okay too.

I guess I'll get to liking this place after all.

I let out a yawn. Well since I feel stuffed by all the meat I've ate in there, I better get back to the motel and tell Jessie everything.

I started to walk away from The Braveheart, on my way back to the motel.

I still had a smile on my face. Maybe when Rain's there, maybe I'll get to know her. I think she'd love my company

She likes Wayne's company, so I'm sure she'd love mine.

That way she would start trusting me and not distrusting me.

At least that's a start anyways. That way, I'd make it up to her for wondering in that cave of hers.

Yeah...That would be great.

I was on my way back when I heard a familiar shout, "Just get away from me!!"

I stopped in my tracks, "Huh?" Then I followed the direction of the voice and I saw that Jessie is being backed away by three big dragons. All three of them are colored red, blue, and yellow. They were all glaring at her.

I let out a gasp. Oh now, now what?

I ran to them, until I got in between the dragons and Jessie. I spread out my arms and yelled, "Stop!"

The one dragon in the middle who is the blue one, reared back his head, surprised that I got in between them. He hissed down at me and sneered, "What do you want?"

Jessie hid behind me, as I held out my hands and said in a calm tone, "Alright, whatever your real name is, calm down." I dropped my hands and asked, "Ok, now tell me what's going on and what do you want?"

The blue dragon growled, his teeth baring, "I don't like your kind living in this city. You bring disgrace and disgust by your kind. Not to mention your kind lies all the time."

The yellow dragon said, "Yeah, your kind always turns your backs on us!"

I glanced over my shoulder at Jessie and I looked at the dragon, I glared at him, "Well I'm sorry about what happened to you guys. But that's no excuse for picking on my friend."

The blue dragon hissed at me and asked, "Is that bitch yours?"

I nodded when I knew he was talking about Jessie, "Yes, why?"

He bared his teeth again and also flared his wings, "That bitch slapped my nose!"

She hollered over my shoulder, "Only because you kept calling me a disgusting maiden and I'm glad that I slap you! I'd do it again, you big scaly asshole."

He lowered his head to our levels, his gaze onto Jessie, "You better watch your human tongue, maiden."

She thrusted a finger at him, "No, fuck you! I'm not the one being a dick toward my kind!"

He snarled while his tail thrashed to the ground, "Only because, your kind is always being a dick to mine!" His pals bared their teeth as well.

Jessie sneered over my shoulder, "Well I can see why, you're the ones being a dick to us!"

He got his face close to mine and then Jessie reached over my shoulder and slapped that dragon's nose. The dragon let out an animalistic cry of pain and he pulled his head back. I looked at Jessie after that happened, "Jessie, are you crazy?!"

The blue dragon raised his head and continued to glare, "You little bitch!"

Jessie provoked him, "Just back off already asshole!"

The blue dragon's snout looked like it was starting to smoke. He was getting to shoot fire out of his mouth. me and Jessie gasped. I haven't seen anyone do that yet.

But he's gong to kill us with fire!

I shouted, "WAIT!!"

The blue dragon snarled, "Die!!!"

But before he could blow fire at us, a voice cried out, "Stop right there!"

We all looked at the one who made the voice and saw that it's Rain's brother that we've met last night. He's wearing his armor and he's strolling toward us. He has a glare fixated on us, "What the hell is going on here?"

The blue dragon shouted angrily at Rain's brother, "That human bitch slapped me!"

Jessie shouted at the dragon, "Only because he's being a dick!"

Rain then came afterward, with a glare of her own, "That's enough!!!" Then she slammed her paw to the ground. Apparently stopping anyone from saying further.

Rain at first glared at me and Jessie. Then she glared at the three dragons. She said to them, "I want all of you to screw off and leave those humans alone NOW. Before I kick all of your scaly asses!" She snorted at them.

The three dragon stared at Rain and her brother for another moment and the blue dragon looked down at me and Jessie and snorted, "You're lucky they came along, you little bastards." And with that, he and his pals whirled around and walked away.

Rain and her brother then looked down at us. Then her brother said to Rain, "I thought you said you'll make sure they don't cause trouble."

Jessie let out a frustrated breath and shouted, "Hey wait a second! I didn't do anything, they started it!"

Rain's brother snarled at Jessie, "SHUT UP!!" He slammed a paw to the ground and Jessie cried out.

I glared at Rain's brother and protested, "We didn't do anything! They were about to blow fire at us!"

Rain's brother growled at us and then Rain stopped him with a tap of her wing tip on his neck, "Brother."

Her brother looked at her and after another moment, he let out a sigh, "Fine, but if they cause trouble again, I'll drop them from the sky."

Rain gave him a glare and said, "Believe me, I'll talk to them about what happened."

Rain's brother said to her in a angry tone, "I told you that this was a bad idea." He snorted and then he started to walk away from us.

Rain looked down at us with a glare she had against her brother. She said, "You two, at the motel, NOW."

Me and Jessie's eyes went wide, but we didn't say anything. We both just did what she told us. We walked back to the motel, while Rain is walking behind us, her gaze locked on us, not letting us out of her sight.

*****

Me, Jessie and Rain have made it back to our motel room, pretty much not long after the whole heated confrontation happened.

God, that felt intense, I thought that dragon was going to set us on fire! But we're damn lucky that Rain and her brother came along and stopped them.

But they're not happy about it, especially Rain.

Me and Jessie whirled around to look at Rain, who is just staring down at us. Still with a glare on her face.

I held out my hands to her, "Look we didn't do anything, we-"

She held up a paw to silence me. She let out a frustrated sigh, "Listen, I'm not in the mood for more bullshit right now, and I'm certainly not in the mood for excuses."

Jessie snarled, "Excuses?! They're not excuses, they're all the truth!"

Rain snarled at me and Jessie, "I told you humans to stay out of trouble, and what did you do? GET INTO TROUBLE!" She slammed her paw down in frustration, "I have never felt so embarrassed in my whole life, not to mention in front of my brother. And it's all thanks to YOU!"

I shouted, "What?! But Rain, we didn't do anything, I was stopping them from hurting Jessie that's all, nothing more!

Jessie shouted angrily, "Yeah and it doesn't give you an excuse to just kidnap us and then yell at us like that! How dare you?!"

Rain shot up her head, "Don't try to guilt trip me, you two. And for the record, I did apologize for taking you both here, sorry for all the trouble."

Jessie took a step toward Rain, "I don't think you're being as sincere as you claim to be."

Rain shouted at her, "Well I'm tired of this bullshit! I have tried to be nice to humanity before and I thought I did a good job. But they turned their backs on me and I think that's the final straw with me. As usual, I'm sure you're just like all the humans who live outside the city! You tell me what I need to hear, but you don't mean it! You don't want to care about my kind and I'm sure that you don't believe every word that Wayne and I have told you today!"

I gasped and I protested, "Yes I do! I do believe that both our kinds have co existed together!"

She lowered her head to my level, "Bullshit! You are playing my feelings, just like any manipulating human would!"

I walked toward her, "Look I'm sorry for what your kind has went through, but I really want to get to know you and-"

"Liar!" I cried out and backed away. She continued to snarl at me, "You humans are all the same! You just want to get to know me, so that way you'll just leave me! Just like another freakin human who has gotten to know me and just called me a monster and turned his back on ME!"

I shrugged and shouted, "Who are you talking about?!"

But she ignored my question and went on, "But there are only two humans that I believe are the true friends I could ever have! And they're Wayne and Amanda! And YOU TWO are not true just like them! You're both liars!"

Jessie gave a fierce glare and remarked, "You know what, you black bitch? At least I don't kidnap humans for a living. And I don't think you're telling us the truth about Wayne. You and a bunch of dragons including Sierra, brainwashed him."

Rain growled at Jessie, "I will not be talked that way by a little bitch like you. And if you ever talk that way about Sierra again, I'll kill you."

I pointed at her, "Don't say that to her!"

Rain raised her head and flared her wings, "I'll do whatever I please!"

Jessie asked, "Well then speaking of Sierra, where is she? How come we never met her? Bring her here and let her talk about her story about how she met Wayne, and all the bullshit that you're telling us, I'm sure you're all good actresses!"

Rain reared back her head and roared. Both me and Jessie covered our ears, since it was ear shattering.

Rain finished her roar and sneered, "You outa be glad that Sierra wasn't here to hear you say that, or else she'd rip your lungs out! Not to mention Wayne would kick your ass!"

Jessie put her hand to her hip remarked, "Oh really? Let your slave do all your dirty work? I'm sure that's why you live in that cave back at home. I'm sure that's why you kidnap humans in the first place, because humans that are brought here are your slaves!"

Rain glared at her, "Wayne is not a slave! He's my friend! He has always been my kinds friend!"

Jessie asked out of frustration and disbelief, "Then why did you live in the cave back at home? Huh? Tell me why!"

Rain hissed, "I'm not living there to kidnap humans! That's ridiculous!"

Jessie shot at her, "I don't believe you at all!"

I held out a hand to Jessie, "Alright that's enough!"

But Jessie ignored me, "Rain, YOU ARE A BITCH AND A BULLY, and I'm tired of it!"

Rain shot back, "Look who's talking, your kind has always bullied mine! And we didn't do nothing wrong!"

Jessie shot back again, "That's what you've been doing to us!"

Rain's eyes went wide at that, and then she narrowed her gaze at Jessie, "Don't try that trick on me. Don't turn my words against me. You don't care about me and you never had." Then she looked at me, "And as for you, I doubt that you want to get to know me, but the truth is you don't care about me either. I'm sure that when you both leave this city, you'd just forget about me and my kind right away, because you don't care."

I shook my head, "No, you're wrong."

Rain snarled at me, "No! I'm right about you and you only cared about yourself and that bitch of a girlfriend of yours!"

I narrowed my eyes at her, "For the last fucking time, she's not my girlfriend!"

Rain whirled around on us, her tail almost hitting us. She snarled while looking over her shoulder, "Another bullshit lie coming from you! Why am I not surprised?! I'm done, now goodbye!!!" And with a growl, she looked ahead and trotted away in fast strides.

I let out a whoosh of air after she left. Jesus.

Talk about a VERY heated argument.

I had a guilty and sad look on my face. Rain...

Did something happen to you? Were you friends with a human other than Wayne and Amanda? Did that human...Turn his or her back on you, years ago?

Is that what you meant just now, when you said that human got to know you and just called you a monster and turned his or her back on you?

Poor Rain.

That person must have hurt her feelings.

Rain...I wish you'd believe me.

I'm not trying to hurt you, I want to get to know you.

I wouldn't play your feelings. I would be your friend.

Just like I already became friends with Cody, Amanda, and Neal. I wouldn't hurt you.

I'm not that kind of a person, I'd never call you a monster.

I thought you were when I first met you, but now...I think you're not.

None of you dragons are.

And I do believe that everything that you and Wayne have said to me today are true. I can see it now.

Even though I wasn't born around that time, but I believe it.

Dragons have co existed with humans.

I believe you Rain, and I believe you too Wayne.

Then I heard a noise behind me and I turned myself around. I saw Jessie rummaging through my bag and I walked up to her. I shrugged as I walked toward her, "What are you doing?"

Jessie huffed and said, "I'm getting out of here." She pulled out a flashlight and said with a grin, "Yes."

I stopped in front of her and frowned, "What? Where are you going?"

Jessie looked at me and said, 'I'm leaving the city, tonight." She tried out the flashlight and it works.

I knew what kind of leaving she's talking about and I asked, "You're not thinking about escaping the city, are you?"

Jessie nodded, with fierce determination. My eyes went wide and I said, "Are you crazy? You just want to leave just like that?"

Jessie sneered, "Brandon, I'm done staying here. I don't love this place. I feel like I'm just an outcast here and I don't fit in here. I...I feel like I'm just a slave here."

I shook my head at her, "Look, you and Rain are just overacting on things. I think you both need to just cool down."

Jessie shouted, "No damn it! I will not be talked that way and I will not be treated like a slave. She won't let us go and she will never trust us, I'm done talking to that dragon! I'm done!"

I said, "But the dragons are not treating us like slaves! They're just treating us as equals."

Jessie got up from my bag and sneered again, "Bullshit! They thought we were starting a fight with those three dragons, but we haven't, they didn't believe a word we were saying to them! Even those three dragons just bullied me for something that's not my fault! I hate them!"

I said in a calm voice, "Look, they're just frustrated that humanity has turned on them again, even when we've co existed, something changed them and the dragons don't know why."

She closed her eyes and shouted, "Stop it, Brandon! I don't believe them!" She opened her eyes and went on, "We never co existed, those are just a bunch of lies!"

I shook my head at her, "Please don't leave tonight."

She narrowed her eyes at me, "I'm sorry, Brandon. But I'm done here. And whether you go with me or not, that's your choice. I will not be a slave and a prisoner here. If you believe their bullshit, knock yourself out. But I'm done. And for both our safety, I really want you to come with me. I...I really don't want to leave you." She sighed, "But it's your choice, I won't force you to go, but please....Don't end up just like Wayne."

I just stared at her, not sure how to respond to this ultimatum.

I wouldn't be a slave if I stay here, I know that for certain, I can feel it in my bones.

But Jessie doesn't believe that and she doesn't believe what Rain and Wayne said to us earlier. But I do.

Jessie's not going to stop until she escapes the city and go home and she wants me to come with her.

I'd tell her to stop, but no matter how hard I try, she won't listen to me.

I want to stay here, but I don't want her to leave this city alone either. I...I don't want her hurt.

What am I going to do?