The Colors Of The Dragon. Virginie T.

I don't have time to take a step that I find myself hanging by the feet, upside down, held by a cold and scary tentacle.

      — Tell them to leave or you will suffer.

      OK, the situation is very bad. He felt the vibration of the ground as the reinforcements passed and he was not happy. Not happy at all. I do not know where my team is, but if the serpieusson has spotted it, for my part I do not hear any movement, which probably means that it is still, at best on the lower floor. This gives ample time to the serpieusson to manhandle me.

       — Okay, calm down. We don't want to hurt you.

      — I'm at home here.

      It is territorial, it seems. However, he cannot stay in this building, any more than in this city, indefinitely.

      — People are asking themselves questions, you are not very discreet when chasing your meals.

      — So you came to exterminate me.

      My blades might suggest it, but they are there only to defend me in case of an attack. And although I am hanging above the ground, he does not pretend to hurt me.

      — No, just moving you.

      That is true. My team is doing a dirty job. Often, the demon ends up lacerated, cut or pierced, in short, dead, but in this specific case, the demon is not a real danger to the population apart from his four-legged companions. The only problem is highlighting strange and unexplained phenomena. Except the secret concerning the existence of Hell and a passage between their world and ours is essential to preserve the world from a situation which exceeds it and which would be source of anxiety and chaos. So we just want to take him to a less exposed location, where it can live in peace without attracting media attention. Whatever some people think, I am not a murderer.

      — Where ?

      — In the jungle. A secluded place full of animals to eat as you please.

      He whistles more and more and his multiple mouths chatter teeth, but against all odds, reposes me on the ground, on my feet. My head is spinning a bit, the blood flow going up to my brain. I quickly regain my balance and stay on my guard. Nothing is won yet. He has not yet accepted my proposal.

      — What's your name ?

      Hmm, I don't like the question, it can be dangerous for my future. However, if I do not answer, I will still find myself hanged and I did not like the experience. It wasn’t the first time, but I’m not used to it.

      — Dakota.

      — Dakota how?

      He is smart. A first name alone is useless. While a full name is the door open to everything, and to him in particular.

      — Dakota Jones.

      — Dakota Jones, I can find you if you lied to me.

      I have no doubt about it. I'm starting to have a bunch of enemies among those below. My job rarely brings me friends among its people. I am paid to track them down and they are rarely cooperative, which most often results in bloodshed. Note, to incur reprisals. Note, to suffer reprisals, the protagonists would already have to be alive. However, those who are against me always end up cut in pieces in the morgue. My teammates arrive at this moment, all weapons outside. Fortunately my new acquaintance does not take offense.

      — It's good guys, he's ready to follow us.

      — Are you sure, Lynx Eye?

      Yeah, no first name in front of targets in normal times, and like nothing escapes me, I was nicknamed the Lynx Eye. I like it. And it's better than ‘’ the weird ’’, the nickname from my childhood. How could I have guessed that I did not see like everyone else when I have been like that since my birth?

      — Dakota Jones gave me a promise. You have to take me to a place where I wouldn't disturb anyone. And shit. I'm going to be scolded. George doesn't waste a second to hit me.

      — Damn Dakota. We do not give his name to the demons. You know the rules and this is the first one we have learned, the most important.

      Me, I am convinced that the most important is the one that says to stay alive at all costs, but, this is not the time to point out to him.

      — You always do it only as you please. Your father will fall on me again while reading the report!

      — So ignore this detail. And now let's go from here.

      I turn to the creature that has returned to human form. Only his shirt shows his change in appearance, the sleeves having cracked under the force of his tentacles. Normal, two sleeves, six tentacles, no need to be a mathematician to understand the problem. At least his anatomy is still hidden, which should greatly relieve my colleagues. It’s not always the case and a naked man, even if he’s not really a man, makes my friends uncomfortable every time.

      — Serpieusson, after you.

      — How do you know what I am?

      — I see a lot of things.

      And I would prefer to see much less. But I certainly do not intend to discuss it with him.

      — Do you know other creatures like me?

      — You are not the first of your kind that I come across, but you are probably the most cooperative.

      — I see.

      He climbs into the van without arguing and turns to me before I close the door.

      — When you need me, call me. You know how to do ?

      I am surprised by his mark of confidence. He is giving me the means to call him as I did by giving him my identity.

      — Yes, I know how to summon a demon.

       He rubs his leg and gives me one of his scales.

       — Take care of yourself Dakota Jones. You are different. Many are afraid of what they do not understand. I am confused. A warning? Different from who?

      — What are you talking about ?

      — Hell is not the only one to contain evil and unscrupulous beings.

      With that, he turns away and the van takes the road. More dangerous than the demons of Hell? Impossible. I've seen enough to know what kind of monsters he can be, and I've never seen anything worse in humans. Even the worst psychopath can’t be good enough to the cruelty of a bloodthirsty demon.

      Chapter 2

      Dakota

      This good old Fort Benning base does not change despite the passing time. Always so many people, and I still feel alone among them. Thousands of people, and one intruder. The weird girl who has the right to stay here only because her father is directing the base. Finally, this is what everyone thinks in silence without telling me clearly, because everyone ignores the role that I play in the army. The girl who has no place among the soldiers who risk their lives to defend the country. If only people knew my life, their vision of me would surely change. In everyone's eyes, I am the nice girl to her daddy who has been boosted. My father has cultivated this myth with the greatest care in public since my childhood. However, in private, that’s another story. The difference with my childhood is that today I have my own home in which I can take refuge at will. No more sad and silent apartment of my father who was conspicuous by his absence and where I have been so alone all my life. I spent most of my time between nurses and school until I was a teenager. Until my father realizes my potential and finally pays attention to me. Or rather, interest. The kind of interest that I will do without, and that ended by breaking my hopes of one day having a father. I passed from being a bulky child to a soldier under his orders without ever having given my opinion. Whether I agree or not, I have had no say, zero free will, like the military does, and rebellion is out of the question unless you want to pay dearly for it. Whether I agree or not, I have had no say, zero free will, like the military does, and rebellion is out of the question unless you want to pay dearly for it. No special treatment for General Jones’s daughter, whatever the others may think, some might perceive