Page 113 of The Divide that Binds Us

Before we reach Eric, spectators continue to cross in my path, but one in particular catches my attention.With black pants and a navy jacket, the stranger tugs his hat flap down, casting a shadow over his eyes.He smirks as he walks by, his hand visible for me to catch the scarlet A under his knuckles.

It happens so fast that I don’t have another second to react, and I lose the guy in the blended crowd.I look around frantically while still holding onto Lynn.Eric frowns when we finally reach him.

“Everything okay, dude?”he asks.

“Has anyone seen Mildred?”I wonder aloud, still distracted and trying to find the suspicious guy.Lynn slides her arm away from our locked position and waddles over to lean against the bridge wall with Eric.

“No.Though I would not be of much help because Wyatt is here,” she says.

Eric inhales the rest of the cotton candy that’s the size of his head.“What’s going on?”

“S-Something...is off,” I murmur.

The host gathers the participants and dragons toward the docks with a microphone.Just right next to the first dock is an eight-foot-high podium the host climbs a ladder to get on.He wears a brilliant lime green suit with white dress shoes and peacock feathers adorned to his head.

“Hello wonderful people of Garnet and lovely visitors of Zeala!”he screams.Everyone goes wild and the flag holders are waving them furiously now.“My name is Roon!I come from the official estate of King Remington, so I’m pleased to share that I’ll be hosting this year’s annual WAVE RIDING SEASON!”

The roar is so deafening that Lynn covers her ears and squints.Eric makes a face while looking around.Confetti explodes but it’s useless when the wind picks up and carries it right into the canal.

All the news stations are present to cover the event.Local shops bring their carts to sell things ranging from produce to fine crafts.The same people who painted their faces are challenging each other to chug their scalding hot tea.

Roon chuckles and looks around impishly, cradling the microphone.

“I know this has been a tough year but I’m glad to see you all come together for these beautiful dragons.Aren’t they just lovely?We don’t have many this year, but we have a special guest visit from the Water Superior himself, Wyatt!”

Wyatt bashfully waves at everyone and nods, but he still looks timorous and preoccupied.

“As you know, Wyatt is here to kick off the season and manage the rough waters and create challenges for dragon riders to soar through.Usually, we have more participants and never enough docks so we stretch this event out for a week, but we have five so we may wrap this all up in a few days.I appreciate your efforts and spirits that are keeping us Zeala strong!”

“...doesn’t feel right,” a voice mumbles as another group of people walk off the bridge.My eyes immediately latch onto Alice’s side profile and look at the person who was talking.I believe Lynn said her name is Rachel—the danger detector.

“That’s why we’re here,” Alice replies.Billie is next to her.None of them are in uniform, so I’m curious as to what Rachel may be sensing.

“Thank goodness they didn’t notice us,” Eric sighs while dramatically fanning himself.“Also, there’s a ton of body heat and hot breath but not enough wind to settle down this fever.Someone PLEASE remind me why we drink hot tea at a summer event!”

“Shut.Up,” Lynn mutters.Back to her normal self again, I see.

“Drinking tea brings good luck to the dragons and riders because you’re warming up your belly the way the inside of a dragon’s belly is warm with whatever element is brewing in there,” I reply absently.

The off-duty Elite group stoically meanders around Central Square, even though they have members on duty to do this.Unless Alice is playing a part in a bigger scheme that’s about to occur.Maybe her own teammates don’t even know—

C’mon, man.Get a grip.This is such a reach.

Someone passes Eric brewed tea that smells of apples before hurrying off.Lynn declines a different person’s offered cup while I do the same.Eric shrugs and chugs his tea in a matter of seconds, unleashing a wet belch.

I stare in horror.“Is your throat okay?”

Eric winks with a chortle.“I’m just built different.”

“That explains why you are so stupid, then.”Lynn rolls her eyes.

Eric makes a face, but I turn my attention back to the Elite group.Alice looks pleased to be here, but also a little wary.I’ve watched the news carefully since the incident.

Although everyone knows Alice caused the destruction, she was talked about minimally on the news.Remington spoke well of her, but that won’t be enough to salvage her reputation.Some families are in hotels because their homes were destroyed.A few citizens have permanent physical damage because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Petitions have surfaced online to pressure Elite to fire Alice.The biggest one has over 10,000 signatures.Eventually, King Remington won’t be able to ignore the noise.The disgusted faces are evident.

Alice is so far ahead that I barely see her head floating in the sea of people every time she turns.Shoulders block my view, or someone sitting on a person’s shoulders.I notice Master Azul amongst the crowd, but further from Alice’s group.Eric is taking selfies while doing the duck-lips with Lynn who protests at first but changes her mind with a tamed smile.

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