A huge city lay before me. Hundreds of houses and other buildings rising above me. The whole city looked like a perfect harmony of nature and modern structures. The sun rised above the horizon, its light made this picture like a dream. I pinched my neck to wake up, but the city still lay before me. Still mesmerised by the sight, I walked closer into the city. Slowly, like a giant, woke up from its sleep. Known and unknown species appeared from everywhere. I saw many good looking cities, but this one is the most beautiful of all! Shops opened, animals or other creatures started their own day with their own way. Some of them looking still sleepy, some of them look energised, ready fot this day. Only a few vehicles are passed on the road, but these were more quiet then the others. I heard a loud screech; I turned my head to the source of it, made my mouth opened like a fish. Huge parrots, birds and other flying beings flew in the air. What. Is. This. Place? Thinking in myself, but I didn't know to I'll find out soon. I passed a newspaper hut, greeted the vendor.
- Aaahhh... a new face. I know that, 'cuz I know everybody who pass on thus way. What I can help ya? – The cat wears a straw hat, his fur is a bit unkept, but he looking helpful and friendly.
- Well... I don't know. I'm a bit lost. Can you tell me where I am? – He chuckled.
- Yep, this place is mostly the shopping quarter, but if ya looking for some help, you can ask some of the police officers or others. – Not this is the answer what I expected, but I think this is still better than nothing. Otherwise, he will look strangely at me if I asked it what this city is. I thanked the help and headed to a direction, a little sightseeing won't be a problem. More and more „people" walk around me. I saw a huge sized building, nicely designed words painted on the table: Zoo-Phoenix Academy. Great, maybe I can find someone, who will help me.
- Khmmm... Excuse me sir. – turned around, saw two striped male beings. They looked strange at first sight: all of the looking skinny, anthropic legs and tail, four eyes, shining with blue and red colours, also their collar and belt. They hold some kind of staff in their hand.
- W-well, not really much now. I looked for the academy. – I point my thump toward the building. They look at me with suspicious eyes, raising their shoulders at once.
- Okay then. – Then they left. I open the entrace door and shut it behind me. Dangit, that was close! I look around. Wide stairs led to the second floor, huge size glass halfed the main hall. Fishes and mermaids looking and waving at me. I wave back, figuring out where I should go. The walls painted dark pink with lighter spots. Passage yawning on y right, si I go there. Light green walls, green school cabintes lined up. I try to find someone, who can help me. Suddenly, I thump into something. Yellow, fluffy fur with black spots, look up, and see a suprised face... of a cheetah. I jump back, yelping in mild shock.
- Is everything alright Mister? – HE CAN SPEAK? HOW? I shake my head, trying to get some courage to speak.
- N-not really... uhhh. – He – because the cheetah has a deep male voice – raise his pawn to his chest.
- My name is Zechariah, Mr. Drayson. – I blinking in shock.
- How do you know my name?
- Well, I can tell you. Please, follow me! – Zech gestures to follow him, I did. Few seconds later we're entering his office. – Take a seat sir. – He pointing an armchair. As I sit down I heard a slurping sound on my right. A squidman or something like that is a suit sit behind a table. I point at him. – He is Principal Winston. He is quite harmless. – I nod, Zechariah settles down behind his desk. – So, Mr. Drayson, where I should start.
- Well... – I scratch the back of my head. – Please, call me Drayson or Dray. The mister is too formal for me. – He bows.
- I see. I think is the best, if I could ask you, how you got here? – I sighn, and tol him what happened to me. Deepwell, the job offer, the cave aswell. Zech didn't disturb me. – I see. The job offers for the teacher assistant job, I am that employer. – I forgot to count how much time I shocked or suprised in this day, but I don't care about it now. – We suprised, when you doesn't showed yourself in time with Miss Heather.
- Wait. – My mind ticking, like an overwrought clock. – What day is it today?
- I'm afraid is Monday. – My eyes widened.
- Ooookkay. It seems I slept 36 hours, at least. But this isn't matter right now. I'm here, alive. – Zech nod.
- Yes, that is. – I sighn, trying to calm down, before I got some headache.
- Is that something I have to know? – Slight smile widen on the cheetah's face.
- Yes. As you saw, this place is isolated than the rest of the world, filled with fidderent kind of beings.
- Like vampires, demons, shapeshifters, animal like forms, hybrids, and alians.
- Alians doesn't exist Drayson. – Answered jokingly Zech. – And another thing. In this place, all humans who employed or chosen to come this place, they cannot return to the outside world.
- I understand it Zechariah. Wait... I can't go back?
- We have to keep this place safe. – I took a deep breath.
- I see. Well, I bet you got my bio. – He nods. – I don't know what you read on it, but I think there is something, what no one knows. – The cheetah raises his eyebrows.
- What is it exactly Drayson? – I sighn and rip off the amethyst medallion from my neck, shattering in my fist. Zechariah gasped, I know what he sees. My forearms and legs covered with grey scales, my fingers ended with talons. Long tail extending from my pelvic, more scales grown out is the line of my spine. My hair became dark grey. I look back to Zech.
- I'm not a human; I'm a hybrid of a dragon and a human! In the outer world, I had to cover it, afraid what the humans would do with me. I think I don't have to hide my true self here. Also, I don't think I'm gonna miss that world. – I smirked.
- I understand your concern. Would you like a tour? – That doesn't sound bad.
- Okay. - Agreeing with him.
- Jackie. Can you come to my office please? – He speaks into a watch looks device. Female voice came out of it.
- Absolutely!
- Can I ask; who is Jackie? – The door opened wide and a young woman came in. Tanned skin, wears a long blue dress with some yellow on the edge of it, also a yellow band around her waist. Her hair is colourful, mostly blue, but has some yellow and green parts on it.
- Hey, hey, heeey! – Sing almost the top of her lungs. – Well hello hello! I'm Jackie, drama instructor. – Jackie shakes my hand, while I stand up to greet her. – So you are the new boy everyone talkin' about? What's your name? – She looks so... energetic. I bow down a bit.
- Gregory Drayson. Please, call me Drayson or Dray. Everybody calls me like this.
- He needs a tour Jackie. – Jackie wrapping her arms around my shoulder.
- No Problem Zech! I got this! – She wave back to Zech while we left the office. – I really think you will love to be here Dray! – Light smile appearing on my face.
- I think I will Jackie! I will.