Heaven's Dragon

New York, New York

I wrap myself in a blanket and struggle through a restless sleep. I dream of Cameron, her beauty and grace and love both tormenting and comforting me. I can't remember the last time I haven't dreamt of her.

I awake when the light hits my cave, and groggily sit up. I remember that I need to go to the president. In freaking Latvia. How do I even get to Latvia? I doubt I could fly from West New York to Latvia. Then again, I haven't explored my flight as much as I should have. But as I've used it more, I've found I can go much faster and longer than previously expected.

I grab my old, dirty backpack and begin to pack it. I throw in the few clothes I have, my blanket, some bottles of water, the few boxes of crackers and other foods I have, the few pictures of Cameron I have, and a large stack of money. I figure I'll need it for the places I'll have to stay.

I walk out of my cave and kneel by Cameron's grave. I'm going to see the person who essentially made me kill her. One of the thousands of people who made me kill her. My beautiful girl.

I expand my wings as large as they'll go. I'm my own airplane. My legs tense as I prepare to launch myself. My mind races, wondering if I should even do it. But my muscles go, and I am a blur in the sky before I realize it. My destination is New York, the golden city of the east coast.

I zip over small towns and plains, the clouds looking like a huge pillow below me. I wonder what I look like to someone looking to the sky. Do I look like a bird? A plane? Or too small to be seen? I do not know.

After three hours, I see a tall building glistening in the early afternoon sun. The Empire State Building. I smile and continue soaring. I'm almost to my first rest.

As I get closer, the city becomes clearer. I ascend further, remaining far above the skyscrapers. Once above the heart of the city, I lower myself onto the roof of a building. The city looks glorious from up here, the buildings shining in the warm afternoon sun.

I shift back into human form. I spot an escape ladder, and use it to lower myself to the ground. I take a deep breath and emerge from the alley, into the strange word of New York.

It has been a long time since I've dealt with this many people. They rush by me, heads down, hustling to their next destination. They bump into me, but I really don't mind. I like it here. No one knows who I am, nor cares. I could get used to it.

I suddenly feel the exhaustion from my journey. How am I supposed to cross an ocean? I make my way downtown, towards Hell's Kitchen. There is an old building most would not know about, but it is really a hotel for light beasts to stay at. I know, the irony. A light safe haven in Hell's Kitchen. Hilarious.

The streets grow darker as I go further into the Kitchen. As I pass a pizza shoppe, I see an eerie sign in the window.

Wanted: Heaven's Dragon
Prize of $100,000
For the slaughter of the Hell Beast
And other dark beasts
If spotted, call 666-5578

I gasp, and begin to turn and run to the safe haven. But, before I can, I feel a hand grab my wrist. I clench, preparing to transform and fight.

"Madam Olivia, relax," I hear a high, thickly accented voice whisper behind me.
"It is just me, Adalene," she continues.

I remember. I met her the last time I stayed at the hotel, as a child. She is but a few years older than me, and French. Her family escaped just before the French began persecuting beasts, and have been staying and working at the safe haven ever since.

I turn around and hug her.
"Adalene! How did you find me?"
"Not many dragons fly into New York, Madam Olivia."
"Oh geez... Do you think many people saw me?"
"Hopefully not, but we must hurry. As you overdramatic Americans say, you are in great danger, Madam Olivia!"

With that, she pulls me down the street and towards the safe haven. We run for a few blocks, and then stumble into the musty building.

It is just as I remember it. From the outside, it looks like a dump. The inside is a mansion. Nearly everything in the lobby is gold plated, even the couches are made of golden silk. Adalene and I are the only two in human form. I watch as she shifts into her form, mostly Satyr, but a bit of something else mixed. I can tell the blood is tainted. Everyone's is, except mine.

I smile and let my wings expand, shifting me into my dragon form. Everyone freezes and stares at me.

"Um... Hi," I squeak with a little wave.

A centaur-type with small dragon wings rushes forward. I recognize him. It is Raphael, the hotel manager. He turns to Adalene.

"Adalene, is this-"
"Yes, misoire. This is Madam Olivia. Heaven's Dragon."

He turns to me with a warm, wide smile.
"Good afternoon, Madam. May I show you to your room?"

I smile back.
"Certainly."