AllFreeNovel
Share Us
6
Sitting cross-legged on the road behind the Harbinger’s worship chamber, I just gawked at the shimmering ring on my finger.Hisenergy was so strong, that even from here, the threads of light coursed along the band, recognizing his essence and illuminating the golden Dragon.
Disappointment. Regret. Anger. Shame. Those were just a few of the emotions rushing through me in that moment. Was I really so proud that I would allow my people to suffer just because I couldn’t ask forhishelp?
The urgency in my aunt’s eyes when she told me to find the Harbinger and give him back his ring flashed in front of my eyes, and I felt even worse. She had witnessed his betrayal firsthand, and still believed he was the only one who could help. If she could forget and forgive what he had done, putting our people first, then I should too.
My parents had raised me better than this.
A new determination filled me, and in their memory, I vowed to do whatever was necessary. There was no time to waste. Standing, I hid the ring in my sweater, and began to march towards the tall structure. If I had to beg, I would beg. If I had to kneel to him and accept his sacred potion of servitude, then I would. Whatever it took to—.
My steps halted when the back door opened, and the Harbinger of Justice stepped out. Frantically glancing all about, I found nowhere to hide, only one of those iron death beasts parked next to me. Rushing to crouch behind it, I peeked around the side, seeing him walk distractedly towards the corner road while he briefly stared at a rectangular black thing in his hand.
One I had seen almost everyone in this world carry and focus on at all times. What was that thing? Whatever it was, it seemed dangerous. People entered some sort of trance when they looked at it.
Placing the black thing into his back pocket, he rushed to the road, as though he had somewhere to be. As he turned the corner, I realized he carried what looked like a traveling bag on his back.
Where was he going? No. He couldn’t leave!
My feet dashed after him before I lost him from sight, but I hid behind a group of people when he stopped under a small, hollow structure that offered everyone there a temporary roof. Interesting. Were they seeking shade from the sun?
Blaring horns suddenly reached me, and I jumped back from the start. What was it with this world and those stupid horns?!
A few iron beasts rolled by us, but a monstrous one, longer than the rest of them, stopped before us. It opened its long doors for the people under the roof to get in, and my eyes followed the Harbinger with dread, seeing him step into the rolling monster. Others got in, one by one, while I stood there, rooted to the ground.
“Are you coming or staying?” the driver asked, glancing at me after everyone else entered.
That was the question, wasn’t it? So much for doing whatever it took.
“C’mon, lady. I have to go,” he urged.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. I could do this. I was born on the back of a Dragon for gods’ sake. In mid-flight!! Opening my eyes, I stuck one hand out, stopping the doors from closing and they immediately bounced open again.
Climbing the two steps, I looked inside the iron beast, surprised to see it held seats and almost everyone had taken one. Several people stood, holding on to iron bars that went from floor to ceiling, but I couldn’t see the Harbinger of Justice from where I stood.
“That’ll be $2.25 please.” The driver pointed to a metal box with a light next to him, and I realized I needed to give him something for the safe passage.
“I’m sorry, I don’t—” I shook my head, knowing I would be asked to leave and lose sight of the only reason I was even boarding this death beast. I didn’t have any of those valuable papers people used here.
The man looked at my appearance and sighed, reaching for something under his seat. “Here. It’s a free pass for low income and homeless people. You can use it to take any bus and get around when you need it. You won’t need any money.”
“Money?” I repeated and he nodded, probably referring to the valuable paper. He handed me a square card, and for the first time since I arrived, I recognized kindness in someone. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Now please sit down or find a place to stand, you are making me late.”
Swallowing, I turned and moved towards the others, taking an empty seat by the window. My hands gripped the railing for dear life when we began to move, and I looked back, searching forhim. Some of the standing people swayed with the movement of the iron monster—though I supposed I could now call it by its true name, bus. When they swayed, a gap opened between them, allowing me to see the back, and my eyes immediately found the Harbinger.
Sighing in relief, I faced forwards again. I hadn’t lost him, now I just needed to make sure I exited this thing at the same time he did.
Once he finally got out of the bus, I stepped out too. I had to admit the ride hadn’t been as terrible as I imagined, but I still stumbled on my own two feet, feeling dizzy. While he walked, I stayed a good distance behind him so he wouldn’t see me, hiding along the way.
Every once in a while, my eyes left him, admiring the intricacies of this world and how strange the housing here was. All the while, the ring on my chest pulsed, reminding me of my mission.
When my gaze returned to him, I saw him enter a large building with a strange red symbol on the top. Sneaking in behind him, I slowed my pace as he reached a table, greeting the blond guy behind it. Glancing around, I noticed a hall close to where he stood, and slipped into it unnoticed, peering at him from around the wall.
“Hi, I’m here to make a withdrawal,” he informed, handing out a card he took out of his pants’ pocket. Taking the sack off his back, the Harbinger opened it and removed a square shimmering silver bag, which he unfolded and offered to the man. “Here’s my insulated cooler.”
“Insulated,” I whispered. What a funny word.
