Page 127 of The Divide that Binds Us

Forget heroic lines.I just need to do this.

My skin is hot and prickly underneath as I run and lunge forward, ready to punch her.Mildred catches my fist and punches me in the stomach.I stumble away, holding my abdomen while trying to suppress a cough.Mildred stomps toward me in her big boots and grabs a handful of my hair.If I emit the shield hard enough, it’ll send her flying off the roof.But who’s calculating that, right?I need a better strategy.I can’t harm her in any severe way.She’s still a government official.I need Rio’s help; I need to pass the time.

C’mon man, hurry up.

All I need is for the dragons to be freed.That’s the only mission.If I can stall Mildred long enough for Rio to do his part, then we’ll be good.Strength isn’t needed, just endurance.

I elbow Mildred in the chest, freeing my hair and tumbling forward.

We tirelessly shuffle around the roof until we’re near the edge.Mildred goes in for a hit, but I step out of the way.She recovers quickly and reaches for my jacket collar, and with unsurprising strength, pulls me close to her and the ledge.

My heart flutters from the settling dread.It’s a long fall.Skylar can save me, but still...I’m not a fan of heights.

We wrestle more before I’m able to finally shimmy out of my jacket.The adrenaline helps me ignore the fierce wind chill.I try to be as swift as her, ducking and blocking her attacks with arms and shins.

Mildred is robust.I’m a fool to think I can take her.Every grip is tight, and every punch is like cinder blocks hitting me.I gasp for air, holding my stomach.Mildred takes advantage of my hesitation and grabs my arm to swing me right off the roof.

I try to relax my tight muscles and prepare to summon Skylar, but something holds me in place.I’m floating near the side of the building, but no longer falling.The wind twirls me around and pushes me back onto the roof.I stare at my hands.

The air saved me, but uh...

“Looks like your Superior was looking after you today.”Mildred shrugs.She’s sweating and panting, but her eyes lack emotion.

I haven’t made any special connection with my Superior.I just know her name is Amelia and she’s the Air Superior.Well, thanks.

Mildred charges and tackles me to the ground.I push up against her but she’s stocky and doesn’t budge from my blows.She goes for my neck, so I finally give in and tense hard enough like I’m on the toilet and emit the shield.Mildred doesn’t fly backward like I hoped, but she does stumble aside from the sudden force, long enough for me to scramble up and whip out my dagger.

“You’re young and naïve; you don’t actually think Rio is freeing those dragons, do ya?I saw that weasel sneak down immediately.”

I try to contain my annoyance and inhale sharply.“Super.”

A burst of a hallowing gale propels me forward to swing the dagger at Mildred.She smirks and readies her hands up to catch the blade, but I duck and drop my body to slide under and dig the dagger right into her thigh.

No screaming, or wailing, or crying comes from Mildred.She’s quick to grab the back of my shirt before I can finish sliding under her.I kick the empty air as she holds me up by the rim of my shirt, slowly tearing the fabric.She pulls the dagger out and aims right for my face, but I hold my hands out and stop her hand and blade by surrounding it with a mini forcefield, preventing her from moving it closer to my face.

I headbutt the bubble, causing a shockwave from the mini explosion.Mildred staggers backward as I fall to the roof, hurting my elbow.My dagger clangs beside my head.

I grind my teeth, thinking of a plan.I’ll just free the dragons and find Rio myself if I have to.

Mildred straightens up and limply marches toward me, blood oozing from her thigh.I grab my dagger and scurry backwards until I’m able to get to my feet.

“Skylar, come!”I command.He appears in an instant, landing behind me and blocking some of the nasty gusts of wind.

“Not a great idea.”

“You wouldn’t dare kill the dragons now.You have no idea what’ll happen if you do, and you want to prepare as much as possible.You’re stalling just as much as I am.”

“You’re right, let’s just kill those reptilian abominations now,” she scoffs and uses her fingers to whistle.The ladder wobbles as a wave of ten Guards climb onto the roof, aiming their guns and crossbows at me.

I am so tired.Thank goodness for the tea I had yesterday.

Mildred pulls out a walkie talkie.“Time to get slaughtering, friends!”

Skylar does most of the work, gently knocking weapons away from Guards, while I dodge and cast the shield and tussle with some.The goal is to preserve life, but if I have to...I will end them.

Master Azul is right; I’ve been training for this for five years.

Once the first wave of Guards are down, I run for Mildred who slyly backs away as another wave of Guards come forth.The first wave is recovering from slashes they’ve received from Skylar, but he’s quick to generate enough wind to blow all the weapons off the roof.

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