Dragon Seekers

Chapter 31

Cinder couldn't have flown any faster.

They had gotten to the manor faster than Jamie could've don't if he tried getting there by foot. He was grateful that Ash was still here on the grounds. The warning that he received was still lingering. The feeling of his body being pulled by a string was much stronger now. It was almost making him jump off of Cinder as he had the sensation of flying without her, he knew where they needed to go in the house.

His room.

As they approached the manor, they just missed Serena and her dragon disappearing into the tree line, heading to a certain direction. Most of the other Island Leaders, including Cassandra, had left. The only dragon that was left was the one belonging to Blaze. Blaze wasn't with his dragon, so he must still be inside with Nexus. Maybe they were with the egg? No, they can't be. If they were, Jamie might not have this horrible premonition.

Ash seemed to think the same thing, as she had Cinder fly around the manor, looking at the windows carefully. That's when Jamie noticed it. The balcony that his room had. The last time he checked, the doors were closed and locked from the inside.

The doors were now wide open.

And Jamie could see the shape of someone in his room.

"There! That's my room!" Jamie shouted, pointing at the balcony. Ash spotted the figure as they walked away from the balcony doors. She was about to turn Cinder around so they can get back to the balcony, when she spotted Blaze and Nexus. They were talking casually. They didn't know what was happening.

"Blaze! Nexus!" Ash yelled. Both adults looked up in surprise at her voice. "Somethings going on in Jamie's room! Where the egg is!"

Both adults suddenly realised the situation. Blaze drew out his sword, charging into the house.

"Stay outside!" Nexus cautioned as he too went back inside, his body moving at an impossible speed for a man like him.

Jamie can't wait outside. He can't! Thankfully, Ash didn't need to be told anything. She had already turned Cinder around. They started heading back to the balcony. When they were back there, they were a little closer. The figure was walking towards the bed. The egg was nestled peacefully on the pillows, completely vulnerable to anything.

Jamie felt the pull becoming more and more violent. He can't wait anymore. Blaze and Nexus weren't going to there in time. Jamie can't leave his egg alone and wait until it's too late to do anything.

"Jamie! What are you doing?!" Ash exclaimed as Jamie suddenly sling one of his legs to one side.

"Something stupid," Jamie muttered. That was the moment when he jumped.

"Jamie!" Ash exclaimed again, reaching for Jamie. He was just out of reach of her. He landed roughly on the balcony. His bones rattled, threatening to break if he took another step. However, he ignored it all. He only focused on the intruder. The figure was wearing a black cloak, keeping their head covered. They now had a dark coloured dagger in their hand. The target was the defenceless egg.

Jamie suddenly launched forward. With all his strength, he shoved the intruder aside. The figure was twice as big as him, but he found the strength to make them fall to the ground. The dagger clattered to the ground. Jamie didn't care to see where the person had landed. He only snatched up the egg from it's resting place. He caressed it as calmly as he could, conveying silent apologies about being so careless. He was about to retreat to the balcony when he heard a growl. He looked at the intruder as they got to their feet. Their cold, dark eyes glared right at him. Jamie froze instantly. He can't move. His feet felt like they were glued to the floor. The intruder took advantage of this. They raised a hand, opening it palm up. Jamie couldn't to see what it was that they were holding. The intruder suddenly blew hard. A black cloud erupted from their hand.

And engulfed Jamie.

"Jamie!"

Jamie barely heard Ash's scream as he was surrounded in darkness. He couldn't hear, he couldn't see, he couldn't smell. He couldn't even feel the ground under his feet. It was so dark. So cold. Jamie shivered as he felt himself sink further into the darkness. He had the dizzying sensation like he was free falling. The only thing that he could feel in this void, was the egg. That was the only thing that made him feel like he wasn't alone.

He wasn't alone, right?

"Pathetic!"

Jamie suddenly yelped as he heard that voice. He looked around, trying to find the source of that voice. And then he saw-

"Ash?" Jamie asked, uncertain. Ash was just outside. She was nowhere near Jamie when he was swallowed up in the darkness. And there was something wrong with her. She was furious as she looked at him. She was holding her spear aggressively towards him as well.

"As if I'd ever be friends with someone like you. I should've left you to that Magma Troll when I had the chance!" Ash spat. Jamie couldn't help but freeze as she said that. What was Ash talking about?

"You're nothing like her!"

Jamie looked around again as there was another voice. This time, he saw Nexus. He looked just as upset as Ash. He was looking at Jamie like he was the most pathetic thing in the world.

"You don't deserve to have a rare dragon! Let alone being Jasmine's son!" Nexus sneered, turning away from Jamie. What's going on? He might still be new to Nexus, but Jamie knew that the elder wouldn't say anything like that.

"Look at you!"

Jamie felt like he was going to die.

No!

Please not him!

A hand clamped down on his shoulder, forcing Jamie to spin around. He felt his heart beating harshly as he smelled alcohol on the man's breath. The man that large and aggressive. The man that Jamie prayed that he'd never see ever again.

Carl.

"You're just as useless as ever! All that time away from me, and you're just a weakling still! I can't wait to use you as my punching bag again!" Carl growled, raising a fist. Jamie leapt away. He didn't know who to focus on as Ash, Carl and Nexus hurled insults at him. This can't be real. This was all fake! It had to be!

There was a violent crash right above Jamie's head. Rumbling and flashes followed it. Jamie screamed out loud as he instinctively curled up like a hedgehog. He encased the egg protectively. All of his fears came at once.

Not having friends.

Being insulted for everything.

Being made worthless.

His phobia of lightning.

Carl beating him up.

This had to be a horrible nightmare! There's no way that this was real!

Jamie silently begged for someone, anyone, to help him. Somebody had to save him!

"Jamie..."