Chapter 44: BETRAYAL. Al Khanafah Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling facility with state-of-the-art laboratories buzzed with activity. People in crisp white suits moved about purposefully. Among them, a figure clad in an aristocratic suit reclined on a sofa, surrounded by plump cushions. He leisurely activated a voice-controlled robot to place a call to one of his suppliers.
"Connect me to Mr. Sarge," he ordered, his tone dripping with privilege. "And remember, no mention of us, as usual."
As the call connected, he continued, "Mr. Sarge, I've been following your recent interactions with the press and journalists. I must say, I'm rather impressed by how 'persuasive' you can be with those 'non-collaborative' journalists."
His voice oozed with anticipation as he inquired, "Is Phase 2 ready? I'm growing impatient to meet our precious scaly guest."
A voice on the other end affirmed their readiness. "Very well, proceed as planned. We'll have the transport unit prepared, and we've arranged for military jet fighters to secure the entire operation."
"I am sleeping lightly, without dream. Fear is pouring inside every pore of my scales. I fear now to dream. I fear or myself. SOB. I think of every way to suicide possible but I fear to be punished to a worse condition. UNDEAD without redemption...for eternity.
The alarm clock outside the room is ringing at 5 o'clock, and like a conditioned boxer to Pavlov's ring signal, I get up, saying by reflex: 'Ready Lord.'
I was so tired I have not surfed the web for several days since the meeting, and I have followed my harsh training.
I have a veil now on my head and I look like Cleopatra with a Nil Crocodile snout.
Even the animals in the cage are mocking me. 'Drakonun here, Dragonun there,' and so on... even Dragobitch. Even the snakes are hissing with laughter.
Half the day, I had to run around the zoo park with a chrono, hundreds of push-ups. Even more kicks, and the worst:
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Father John has sealed my darkness and mana:
"BEAST, I remind you to thank GOD for his Mercy by letting you breathe. Your pitiful Soul of a cry-baby must grow. And I call you by your name the day your soul will grow enough. Now you are a BEAT and NUN candidate.
Do you know how to GROW a soul? By Redemption.
Redemption is not granted free. You must SUFFER in your flesh and mind to be granted redemption. This is why now your cheat regeneration is sealed, your magic is sealed, except healing, partially sealed, as you must pray to obtain divine grace. Your base dragon powers are left because they are natural and prove you are an animal and not a devil. Your power will be unsealed when your heart will be in phase with the heart of JESUS, our LORD."
SssO I look at the water fountain reflection to meet the image of a tumefied dragon with dry blood on the snout, a blue eye and a closed other eye due to a punch.
He got me this asshole.
"What have you said?" Father John.
'Hiii, I'm sowwwryy, I'm sowrry.' Bang, I am propelled against a concrete wall.
A new Egyptian-style sculpture of a dragon was embedded in the wall that day.
As it is midday, I was walking back to my place in the marina, more crawling back all bruised and swollen everywhere.
When I go there, crawling, there were unknown people in uniform with long sticks. Some have heavy rifles.
Heater was talking to a guy in a black tuxedo and a black mallet.
Heater: 'I am sorry, Daathrr, you must enter the cage here first. I'll try to explain when I can. They are the new staff of the Zoo. They are state agents and federals. Please hurry, or they will hurt you,' looking at me with teary eyes.
In front of me was a big, horrible steel cage, half rusted. Inside was a big collar and smaller collars with heavy chains. The base was rusted by organic waste.
This cage was not clean, and each angle and bar had protruding steel teeth to protect the bars from torsion. It is made so if I bite the bar for forcing it open, the small rusted points will tear the inside of my jaws, bleeding and infecting. HORRIBLE.
As I was hesitant to enter, due to fear, a terrible electric shock ran all down my spine and pain I've never had. CRACK CRRRR... the Bluetooth speaker EXPLODE with the electric charge.
'Black guardian. HOP in THE CAGE. ANIMALS DON'T SPEAK. ALL your stuff, you don't need where you'll go. Animals have only water, meat, shit, and die.'
As I was crawling with difficulties to the inside of the cage, a new electric discharge hit me.
'But I am a thunder dragon, and electricity has to be a snack for me,' I ROAR: 'Father???? Help me?? Pity!!'
Father John: 'ENDURE, think of the Mercy and suffer for your Soul. It will kick in some Humility and remind you of your place. Be happy still breathing and don't forget your old "Selfie." I know this is not right, but I follow only the POPE's instruction and the Lord will. Next time I see you and don't want to have a cry-baby in front of me because then I'LL REALLY KILL YOU. AMEN.'
Then the cage closed behind me with a loud 'CLANG.'"
Heater to the black guardian: "Can I let the journal in the cage? There is no straw inside."
"Yes, you can let it inside. Now, thank you for your service and go check your pay with the staff manager. He will arrange your papers, as this place will be demolished by order of the government."