Dawn Is Coming

Chapter 9

Akira

Spider matches my steps, his little paws moving as fast as they can to keep up with my quick strides. His tail curls up proudly, his fluffy body pressed right against my boot as we walk. My eyes are fixed on him as we wander through the black alleys. He had managed to work his magic once again, appearing out of a shadow in the alley, seemingly out of nowhere. Now he trots beside me, his loud purrs echoing off the brick walls. His presence calms me, even if it's just a little. There are no complications with our friendship – everything is easy, clear. He appears when he wants to, hangs out with me, and then disappears into the shadows. Although he usually visits me when I'm going to sleep, I can't complain about his presence right now. I adore the little furball.

Clamour and energy of all kinds flood our surroundings as we step out into the streets. Careful to make sure no one tramples his tail, I pick him up, stowing him safely inside my jacket. Being as vocal as he can with his purrs, he curls up against my chest, nesting between my jacket and the heat of my body. I watch his fuzzy cheeks curve into something alike a smile, his eyes shutting in bliss. He's not a very fluffy cat – he just has enough black fur to cover his pale skin, with rough patches on his heels and blisters on the pads of his paws. I have no idea where he goes in the winter, but whenever he shows up to my building at night, he's not even cold.

So mysterious.

I zip my jacket up, keeping him from prying eyes. There are enough people for a shorter girl with an abnormally large stomach to be able to go completely unnoticed. A small brawl between two men disperses as I pass by, their eyes warily eyeing my uniform. I avoid their intimidating gazes, walking on, ignoring vendors while they cry their wares. My body shudders as I feel Spider's rough tongue dragging across the exposed skin of my stomach, and I struggle to hold back a giggle from the tickle.

A strong grip around my wrist suddenly pulls me to the side, almost knocking the wind out of me. I'm met face to face with an old lady, one who looks like she should be barely walking but is instead glaring at me with fiery, beady eyes.

"You are the All Seeing One, are you not?" She rasps, gripping my other wrist. Heaving a sigh, I shake my head, preparing for another tiring explanation.

"No, ma'am. I see well, but I see not all," I explain quietly. "And I heal no blindness." The words are routine on my tongue, getting approached by visually impaired people almost every day, demanding me to give them the ability to see once again.

Not to be dramatic, but I'm barely alive myself.

The lady's brows furrow at my reponse as she huffs and stalks away back to her vendor booth, disappointed. Many people go blind due to the harsh environment and quality of the air. I'm pretty well known among these people, almost worshipped for my ability to see so well. My eyes fall to a tiny girl with shaggy hair and furious eyes, her cheeks puffed in anger.

Of course, it was the child that saw me.

"You're so mean! Why didn't you help granny?" The girl fumes, her high-pitched voice shrill with indignation. My cheeks flush in shame; the woman might have understood, but it will be much harder to convince a child that I don't have magical powers to cure blindness. Nevertheless, I know I'll be beating myself up about it if I leave this girl disappointed.

Kneeling down to her level, I reach out my hands, offering them to the little girl. She looks sceptical but decides to trust me, placing her hands in mine. I close my fingers over them, shutting my eyes. Hoping she'll be convinced I'm doing something magical, I chant the few words I learned in Neorexan under my breath, sounding almost like I'm casting a spell. Once done, I open my eyes, smiling when I see the awe on her face.