Drakkon: Part 8 AND 9

2 chapters!

We hit the icy road. The only thing we’ve taken with us from the factory is its warmth. My pockets are empty, but at least my belly isn’t gnawing at the rest of me.

The city is covered in white. I’m sure there are humans shivering beneath my feet in the dark tunnels, unable to escape this hellish freeze.

The dragon isn’t as interested in the snow. His eyes are on the sky, searching for his brothers who he’s at war with because of me. He wears a scowl on his face, and that’s about it. He’s not wearing a sock on his dick like I requested.

My feet shuffle, and I nearly slip if not for the arm that wraps around me. I eye the distance, too shocked to even recoil from his touch. I can see the Brooklyn Bridge. At least what remains of it. The great structure is split in half, the metal askew as if torn off its hinges.

Another part of my beautiful city has been demolished by dragons.

I bite back a whimper.

The dragon releases me, and I stumble. He eyes my feet and comments, “weak legs.”

I promise myself that if I ever get the chance to kill this man… no, this thing, then I will do it with a smile the size of the Brooklyn Bridge.

His gaze moves to the bridge. “We must go underground to keep moving. Another storm is underway. I can smell it.”

“Underground?” I tense. “What if… what if we come across other humans?”

“We keep walking.”

As if it’s that simple. He nearly killed the three human men he crossed.

“Walking where? Where do you think you’re taking me?”

His lip twitches. He’s irritated, and about to spit fire. I’ll need to stop pressing him soon.

“To an acquaintance that will better understand your effect on me. He is on the south of this island.”

The south of Manhattan? That sounds good to me. FEMA is down there, too.

I shake my head and examine his chest, not daring to look further south.

“You need clothing. Humans will look twice if you walk past them, butt naked in this cold.”

“Like you do?”

I look at him, and feel warmth come to my frozen face.

“Stop accusing me of ogling you! I don’t do that!”

He scoffs. “You will tell me where to find human clothes.”

“Do you ever say please?”

“Why? There is no need. You will do as I say, anyway. I am who is in control here, human.”

I laugh, and he stands tall and unamused. He doesn’t get it yet. I’m soft and quiet like snow, but can become crazy and erratic like fire for my sister. I have nothing else to live for.

My feet step loudly. One. Two. Punching holes into the snow like I want to do with his face. I push up on my toes, distressing my boots further, and smack my lips on his. I fall back down to my height and take in his expression.

Shock has exploded on his face. His eyes have widened, showing me just how long his eyelashes are. His lips have parted, too.

I had the same expression when I saw the first dragon flying in the sky all those years ago.

I spit on the ground, missing his foot by inches. I feel my brown irises come alive.

“I’m not too strong, not too smart, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. You haven’t killed me yet for a reason. You need me, but I don’t need you. I will bring you a world of hurt— one way or another, if you keep me from Daisy.”

As I walk away, I grumble silent curses through my teeth, the only proof of them being the puffs of white air in front of my face.

I cross the street and throw an angry kick at the door of a boutique. Clothing is one of the few things that no one cared to loot. Food was more important.

The door gives in on the second kick, already too weathered after years. I enter, and find the store mostly intact. I walk down the men’s aisle. There aren’t any coats in here, but there is a large black leather jacket that seems to be about his size.

He needs to blend in, because I don’t want to attract the attention of humans and risk their life.

I walk out holding a graphic T-shirt with faded text in the front, the jacket, a large pair of jeans, sandals and socks.

He’s standing where I left him, staring at the skies.

I throw the clothes on the snow.

“Let’s go.”

– • –

It doesn’t take us long to come in contact with humans. A whole colony, to be exact.

I have never been a part of this one. It must have been newly formed.

The dragon walks beside me, scoffing and rubbing the back of his hand across his nose. He doesn’t like the smells down here.

Tough luck. We don’t like them either.

When I pick up the sound of voices, I freeze and look at him. He’s dressed appropriately, but there’s still a foreign air about him. What really concerns me, though, is his meaty biceps and wide shoulders. Human men aren’t built like him anymore. They’re frail and pale.

The first people we pass eye us, but keep going their way.

“What is that smell?” he snarls and exhales angrily.

It’s probably our makeshift sewers. Since we have no toilets anymore, buckets have to do.

“Survival,” I answer.

We cross a small trading center. There are three tables set up, each on the left side of the tunnel. They trade nicknacks like knives and matches— things I can’t afford.

Voices pick up. I’m surprised by what I find in this Colony. People eat in circles with each other, not hunching over their plates and devouring the contents as if fearing they would be robbed. They’re eating jerky. I stare. The meat look like a bar of gold to my starved eyes.

“You two.”

A middle-aged, plump man comes up to us. I stare at his belly longer than I should. Long enough to be rude. At least in the Old World. Nowadays, a plump man is considered attractive because it means he has the means to eat well. He’s a provider.

He wears a gold chain, a balding head, and a Canada Goose black coat. He looks warm, content, and authoritative.

The dragon shifts his weight to one leg, and I swallow, hard.

“I haven’t seen you around here.”

“We’re just passing through,” I explain. “You can have a man escort us through if you’d like.”

He laughs, and my eyes lock on the way his chubby cheeks jiggle.

"You shouldn’t go anywhere, child. A storm is approaching, and my men are repairing flood damage. Why don’t you stay put for a day and have some tea? It’s all on me. My name is Azul, by the way. I’m the elected Mayor here.”

I dip my chin. “Nice to meet you, Azul. I’m Lucky, and this is my friend.”

I gesture to the dragon, but I don’t name him. He’ll remain unnamed like an unwanted pet.

“Lucky, huh? Maybe you’ll bring some more luck our way.”

Sadly, the only thing I brought to this nice man’s colony is a machine of destruction.

We’re led to the tents. They’re neatly organized in a long row, each family having their own. I notice some tents are made of waterproof, professional materials while others are just bedsheets and sticks.

“Here,” Azul’s guide points to a grey tent with two holes on the side. “You can use this for a night.”

“No,” the dragon speaks beside me. “I want this one.” He points to a tall, admirably built tent.

I cringe with discomfort. He needs to shut his mouth and lie low.

The guide scoffs. “Sorry, man. Only the top hunters get comforts like those. Be grateful.”

“Do not tell me what to be, servant. Go and get blankets for the female.”

The guide takes an angry step forward. “Extra blankets are only for hunters and their families. How about you get off your lazy ass and work for it instead of ordering me around?”

This is getting bad.

“Ignore him,” I intervene. “He hit his head recently.”

The dragon frowns. “The only impact to my head I’ve had recently is your mouth smacking upon mine. You will explain what that was about.”

“Fuckin’ weirdo,” the guide mumbles and leaves us behind.

When he’s gone, I release a stressed breath. “You should talk less.”

I sip my tea. It’s warm. I couldn’t deny it, because free food is a precious gift.

He glares at me and scans the colony. There’s about seventy people here, including children. The dragon hasn’t hurt a single one yet, but that’s no comfort. He doesn’t belong in our civilizations. I’ll have to keep moving soon, even if there’s flooding in the tunnels.

We spent the rest of the day by a fire. The dragon scans everyone, taking our nature in. I wonder what it is about us that makes him so murderous. How can he stare at the children curiously, while knowing what he has done?

Just thinking about it makes my stomach curl. I gag, but control myself. Food can’t be wasted.

“You are ill,” the dragon accuses.

“No. I’m fine.”

“I will get you supplies.”

I jump to my feet and run after him when he walks to the soup line. He skips the line and goes right to the chef.

“You will give me a plate.” He demands.

Groans and complaints come from people behind him.

“Sorry!” I tell everyone and run to his side.

The chef laughs, probably figuring he was crazy or drunk. “Alright, big guy. Here. Take this and go on.”

The dragon looks at the plate. It has water, two slices of potato, and random leaves.

“This broth has no meat.”

“Well, only our fighters get that luxury.”

I take his arm and tug him away, smiling apologetically at the irritated people on the line.

“Are you crazy?” I ask him as I walk him away.

“No. I am of sound mind. Now, lead me to the obese leader. I must critique the poor arrangements he has given us.”

“You have to respect the balance of this place. If they say only hunters get certain luxuries, then that’s how it is. You can’t demand anything from anyone.”

He presses a hand against his brawny chest. “I am the best hunter here. I can take down any beast that crosses my path. Using the logic of these humans, I deserve whatever ‘luxury’ I wish.”

“That’s not how it works,” I hiss. “You have to prove yourself by providing for the colony. You can’t just say you’re the best and expect them to fall at your feet.”

”I don’t have to say anything,” he counters. “Just open my mouth and let my fire speak for me. They would cower. As they should.”

There’s a gleam in his eye that unnerves me.

“You’re so used to getting your way, aren’t you?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

A hand reaches out for my face. I inch away, but as usual, there is no escaping him. He cups my face, his thumb pressing against the corner of my lips.

I pull away. “Don’t touch me and don’t demand anything else from these people. They—”

“My guests,” Azul greets.

Shit.

“How are you settling in?” he asks me.

“Obese one, address me. Not the female.”

Oh, my god. He’s so fucking rude.

Azul raises an eyebrow, all warmth leaving his face. “I don’t think I appreciate your tone, son.”

“And I don’t appreciate these poor arrangements we have received. Show me the way to the nearest beast. I will hunt it for your inadequate colony, and in exchange, I you will give me everything I wish.”

Azul shakes his head. “The hunters are tired. They just came from an expedition. Besides, there is a snowstorm. You should settle down your temper and impatience, young buck.”

“I assure you, my animal form is much more fearsome than a buck.”

“Yeah?” Azul laughs. “What is your spirit animal? A dragon?”

The dragon grins, showing a row of white, pearly white, bloodthirsty teeth.

I intervene. “We’ll be fine Azul. Forgive my friend here. He recently hurt his head.”

Azul’s attention returns to me. He rubs his chin, stroking the few beard hairs he has there. “I see. Well, there is a way for you to earn food, blankets, and upgraded supplies.”

He takes the hand of a woman that walks by us. She wears a long fur coat, and her face is clean enough that I can make out her natural skin tone. She’s thin, but there’s an easy smile on her face that lets me know she doesn’t know starvation.

“Become one of my wives. I have thirty-three in total. Their only job is to be available to pleasure me at all times. I provide everything my women need.”

That was the wrong thing to say.

The dragon charges, and I shove myself in his way. His body temperature feels hotter, like he’s about to combust.

“Go. Run!” I yell at Azul.

a/n: Would you accept Azul's proposal if the apocalypse happened?

READ PART 10> 

 📋 View Table of Content for Drakkon >

📚 View all Books >