Nigel was just as perplexed at Jake's sudden leave as everyone else in the room. Loa shi's brows furrowed in confusion, then tilted inward in anger. "Jake Long!" The elder man yelled out, shaking a fist above his head. However that raised hand dropped and rested at his side. He turned around and with a sigh, set his weak eyes on the red headed wizard.

"You know what the kid's up to, eh wizard boy?" Fu dog asked with his paws set firmly on his flobby hips. The magical K-9 set down on all fours and paddled over to Nigel. The wizard looked from the old man down to the talking dog below him.

"I'm afraid I do not. If I were able to tell the tale I would." The wizard combed his fingers through his hair. His palms were moist from the fever that presented itself against him earlier.

"Perhaps you can tell us something else then," Jake's grandfather perked up, then moved closer to the two at the other side of the room. His hands cupped one another under his over-sized, silk sleeves. "what is it that Jake was telling us about you at school?" He may have been old in age, but that doesn't mean he wasn't keen and well-held in knowledge. His memory rarely failed him.

Nigel's eyes averted down to his lap in shame. "I was afraid I would be forced to explain myself again..it was Rotwood, as I'm sure Jake may have mentioned, but he threw this..vile on me, an unknown concoction, and the next thing I knew- I was in my cape and had my wand in my hand! It was awful, and he dared enough to even film me in such a state in public." The embarrassed wizard held his head in his hands. Fu dog placed a sympathetic paw on Nigel's knee, then raised a brow and looked suspiciously back to Lao shi.

Not only was it odd that Rotwood would be able to get his hands on such a potion, but how did one even exists? Yes, a dragon-exposing vile had proven to be in existence, but one for wizards as well? It was far more trickier to get a wizard to expose himself by force than a dragon. The hard look in Lao shi's eyes didn't give Fu dog any comfort.

"I see.." Was all the old man muttered, then he turned his back to the two and pulled out the potion he had purchased earlier. In curiosity, fu dog left Nigel to peer over the older man's shoulder and examine the foreign potion.

Just when Fu dog opened his mouth to inquire about the vile, a vibration buzzed in his fur pocket coat. He reached his paw into his rolls of fat that rested at his waist and pulled out a small, questionable item. "Woah!" He chuckled nervously and stuck the toy right back in, then glanced around hoping the inappropriate item wasn't discovered. After reaching back in again, he pulled out his blue cell phone.

"Ello, Fu dog here."

While Fu dog had a conversation with an unknown recipient, Lao shi heard the phone ring at his front desk. His head turned in curiosity. "I wonder who that could be.." He muttered, then walked passed the curtain which led to the electronic shop. The grandfather walked to the front desk of the store then picked up the phone attached to the wall. "Th-" Before he could finish a word, he heard frantic cries for help on the other end. The voice of the person calling was unknown, but the name she spoke of wasn't. "Jake?! Where is he?" He stammered back, and nodded firmly when told by a broken, crackling voice of Jake's whereabouts at the magical cafe.

Jake's hair was matted and appeared oily. His head rested on the elf's damp lap which was wet with sweat. The teenage boy's dragon teeth grinded together in pain, and every now and then his tail would emerge from his back end then disappear in a brush of flames. His entire head even grew into flames and reappeared scaly with a dragon snout. When that did happen, the elf's legs were burned by the flames and throbbed terribly with the pressure of the weighted dragon on her. However, she kept him diligently in her lap, and brushed her fingers through his hair to clear the knots that matted from the sweat.

She wished the only red she saw was from her dress, or when Jake's form bursted into flames and turned into a dragon, yet that wasn't so. Instead, she saw blood puddled around them and spilt over their clothing.

"Shh..shh.." She cooed gently whenever Jake moaned or tossed his head violently.

On the other side of them was the drunken man lying on the floor. His eyes would cross from time to time disturbingly, but other than that, he made no other sudden movements. He had his own fair share of blood and bruises decorating his battered form, yet it was Jake that the elf feared for the most.

The elf winced when she suddenly heared rummaging in the front of the cafe. Her heart beated like butterfly wings and her throat felt swollen when an unvoiced fear. Her head snapped at the entrance to the office they were all in, and she feared who it may be- But wait! That's right, she called for help and that must be them! A smile crept into her lips in hope. "In here!" She called out in a desperate tone. Jake needed help badly, and as soon as possible!

I don't own American Dragon: Jake Long. Oh, and if you're wondering, yes ) I left it at a somewhat cliff-hanger on purpose. This is really just a teaser chapter, but better than nothing right?