Page 68 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

I’ve never been to this part of the city. I’m new in the city, but still...

I shiver at the darkness hovering over here. There should be streetlamps, but those are out of service, which I’ve never seen in almost my whole life.

He says, “Are you worried?”

“Where are we?”

There are spaceships parked nearby. The parking lot looks intact, but...

I shiver again and Telke wraps his arm around me. He says, “It’s okay. This place is safe, just a bit older and run-down.” He points at the street outside of the fence that separates the parking lot and the outside. “Do you see the crowd?”

There are shops on the streets. The street is dim, the only lights are from the shops and restaurants. The air smells like... fries and other deep-fried food, except the expired ones, not very enticing.

I ask, “Are you sure there are good tacos?”

“Yes, I’m never leading you astray.” He winks. “Sometimes, you have to give things a try, even though the place may look dangerous.”

My heart skips a beat. It almost feels like he is referring to us, but... Is he someone who’ll give that much thought to his words? He has been the kind who says whatever’s on his mind and is straightforward, right?

I follow him, but these streets don’t look safe enough for me.

There’s a crowd waiting at the door of the taco place Telke seems to like, but...

Fuck...

I hate being a tiny being when these are... bigger.

Most of them look normal and not there to hurt anyone, but I don’t like to be in a crowd when these beings can squash me flat just because of their size.

Telke pushes against the beings, parting a way for himself. I should follow him, but I don’t want to be that close to others. I need my personal space and this place isn’t that at all.

Between beings, I barely glance at the inside of the restaurant. It looks like a bar. It is dim inside with bar tables. There is music, but it isn’t so loud that it will kill me.

Yet... Food smells great from the inside. but... This place is far from enticing. Maybe Telke will like it, but I sure don’t.

It doesn’t take long before Telke is back with a piece of paper. “Here, just ten tables before us.”

Fuck... I don’t want to be standing amongst this crowd and waiting. Not to mention, when we get in, he may feel like we should stay longer than we should because we spent the time waiting. At least that’s what I’d want... That is, if we weren’t at this place that seemed to want to swallow me whole.

There’s probably no reason for me to be this worried, but still...

He watches me for another moment before he says, “Are you fine? You look pale. Too hungry to wait?”

I take a breath, but only take in the oil stains and... the mixture of beings’ sweat. I clear my throat. “Do they do takeaway?”

“Sure, we can get that instead. I’ll get you the menu.”

No, I don’t want to stay a second longer than I must. “I’ll have what you’re getting.”

He winks. “Smart. Give me a moment.” He goes back to the crowd, which doesn’t seem to bother him. Maybe it wouldn’t bother me if I were Telke’s size.

I let out a breath as I take steps to the side, away from the beings that are waiting. I need fresh air, which I’m not getting here. But at least I can get as far away as possible from others.

When the air seems to be clear of being’s sweat and some of their heavy scent, it feels like I can finally breathe.

But at the same time, now that I’m a few steps away, it feels like...

Will there be dangerous beings coming to kidnap me?

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