Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 16 Realization

Walking around town on my own, yielded fruits beyond my expectations. Cassy's city is vastly different from the territory my parents rule. My parents' territory resembles a cosmopolitan city, with high skyscrapers and sterile buildings. Busy office workers, engineers and researchers flood the boulevards only during meal times. The walking pace is much faster than the slow-going pace here. Children are fetched to and from their school at scheduled times, and do not flood the shopping district after school. They are allowed to play at fixed times and at reserved places.

However, in this city, busy streets with cheerful children running around after school hours are a common sight. Children are given the freedom to play here, unlike the controlled timetable of my city. In this place, city folk stroll the streets admiring the goods on offer, despite it being past meal time. The city retains its old architecture and yet the interior is outfitted with the latest technology and conveniences. Businesses are run smoothly and efficiently, judging by the bustling market and shops. The restaurants, shops and streets are hopping, full of life and vigor. I see cars, horses and oxen sharing a thoroughfare. The environment resembles that of an ancient city – intricately carved building facades, retro sights and smells.

Their long rich history and culture is more than enough to keep me occupied in reading, for the next couple for months. The library has never been a more welcoming place to me. Exploring the town, it is fascinating to watch the townsfolk going about their daily business. It's possible to grab a cup of coffee and sit for the better half of a day observing their lifestyle. Toying with the idea, I am half tempted to reside here to learn more about their life.

Looking up from my coffee, I'm confused by the laggard walking of the townsfolk transforming into a running mob. There's a flurry of activity near the side of the road. In their midst, I see one of the castle guard gathering a group of people and ordering them to move in a specific direction. The group obeys without question.

Standing up, I feel a stab of pain in my chest, like a knife twisting inside. A wave of dizziness hit me as I wobble on my feet and sit back down. I'm paralyzed temporarily and feel something is wrong. Couldn't be my family, I would know. They would contact the city, I have left a means of communication with them. Worst case, they can link telepathically with me to inform me if there's an emergency. What's wrong?

Curious, I grab an arm of a passerby to find out what happened.

"Miss Cassy is in critical condition. She's caught in a serious accident on one of the farms. Our help is needed to carry away the debris before the medical staff can extract her," gushing out in a rush, the man hurries towards his destination.

Cassy's in danger. My blood runs cold and my limbs went numb at the news. Freezing in my track, my heart squeezes tighter. I have no idea why. My mind is in a roiling mess before blanking into a static white space.

Only a single thought blares in my mind. I must save her. Cassy must not die.

Taking off in the same direction as the rest, I empty my mind of horrifying thoughts.

Reaching the accident site, groups of people are organized to move away debris while others clear a space for the injured. Medics are dispatched and are at work, looking over the injured and discharging the well with recovery instructions. Striding to the sickbay, I search the faces of the wounded but Cassy isn't in any one of them.

A loud rumble and part of the leaning building collapses. Flexing my telekinesis powers, I discreetly hold off the falling timbers and concrete, allowing the helpers time to escape the caved in section. Striding to an officer in charge, I enquire about Cassy's whereabouts and the current situation.