I had a dollar for every time I fainted, I could've bought some chocolates for myself.

And if I had a dollar every time the fox made a witty banter, I would've bought myself some new clothes.

But I didn't count the second time I was going to have another vivid dream. I was inside the same room with the old woman again. This time an old man was with her, smoking a cigar. His salt and pepper hair was tied in a straight ponytail. A medical eye patch was on his right eye, leaving one dark green eye for the world to see. He was shirtless but he was covered in medical gauze. He wore dark grey cargo pants to make up for his lack of clothing.

"So... we're actually just gonna sit here doing nothing?" He asked, voice gravely.

The woman nodded, sipping her tea.

The man took a drag and leaned back. He blew smoke to my face. "We're getting restless you know. That seal's been savin' our butts yet at the cost we're trapped here." He then looked at her, eye slanting. "How do we know that the new kid can save us?"

And I heard her speak for the first time,

"A dragon child cannot-and will not-fail."

When I woke up with an eyeball up against my face, I scrambled backwards, only to hit brick. The four-legged... thing pranced around me with its green eye staring at my being.

"Stop moving," A familiar voice rang out. "your human body took too much strain on that fight. It's a miracle how you're not dead."

I would've said 'It's a miracle you're still here.', but I'll shut up for now. The alleyway was littered in broken bottles and trash. No one else was here, fortunately, except for the monster that seemed harmless.

"You have any idea on what is that thing?"

"That's a shirime. They really don't do much."

She paused. "And?"

"That's... literally it."

I groaned and leaned back my head against the wall. I was at the far end of the alley so no one could see me. Well-hopefully no one could see me with the flames and all. I looked down at my clothes. The jacket was completely slashed with holes littering the front and back. I was wearing a black undershirt but even that had a few scorch marks.

I stood up and threw away the remains of my hoodie. I went to the garbage pile and began searching for something. It was hard though, seeing as it was already dark.

"What are you doing?" The fox asked.

"Finding my ring to become Green Lantern." I replied. "Just a superhero mask is what I need."

With luck, I found one. It was a hand made mask of a rabbit. Two asymmetrical holes were there for eyes and the mouth was torn. It looked like it was made from a three-year old.

"It's poorly made but this will have to do." The string was still intact fortunately. I tied it around my head and adjusted the mask to fit my face.

"Oh... right," The fox said bitterly. "you're a model or something, right? No wonder you needed that."

I made a face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Nothing." She said dismissively. "I just think that why you've chosen to display yourself in ridiculous clothing."

"Well, what are you going to do?" I sighed. "It's the only job that I can just stand and pose. Pretty simplistic if you ask me."

"In other words, they just let you be their doll."

I stopped walking. The feeling of throwing up began to rise.

"Hey," She said, voice softening. "don't go down on me again. I... I didn't meant what I said."

My stomach calmed down a little. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding in. "... Thanks for not running away. Again."

I heard a sigh. "Just get going. I don't think the veil can last any longer."

"How coy." I smiled. After receiving a smack on the face from my possessed arm, I went out. I received a couple of odd stares but no one dared to approach me. Only then I realized I was in an unfamiliar street in an unfamiliar city. Gulping down whatever pride I had left, I surged onwards, ignoring my terrible directions.

"Do you even know where you are going?"

Pop goes the weasel.

I tried to avoid the people as my pace quickened. The colors were beginning to swirl again. Few more steps, I'm guessing, and I might collapse.

"Wait," Fox muttered. "don't you dare collapse on me in a street I don't know."

"A bit too late for that, wouldn't you say?" I whispered. Cursing to all of the gods who gave me the curse to see so many colors, I managed to take one more step until sitting down on a café chair. I took uneven breaths as I leaned back on the chair.

"Rough day?" I yelped when a voice came from the opposite side. A black-skinned boy, maybe around 18, smiled lightly and drank his frap. He wore a maroon V-neck that showcased his every muscle and rectangular green glasses in front of his dark brown eyes. His curly, short, black hair made him seem trustworthy. Actually, he looked like a college student that actually studied.

'He's gay,' I thought. 'I'm calling it.'

"It's... none of your business." I panted. My reclusiveness had nothing to do with him being black. I don't hate black people. Or any people with different skins.

"Then what's with the mask, bunny?" A warm, honey-colored wave went in front of my eyes.

"I'm on a secret mission to steal people's hearts."

"Well Ms. Bunny, I'm afraid you can never get mine since I'm into the same sex."

'Called it.'

"He's simply oozing with confidence." Fox said, surprisingly without sarcasm.

"But in all seriousness-what are you doing?"

I tried to come up with excuses: I was going to a late costume party, I was dared to go out like this, or I can just say my parents were jerks and forced me to get out of their home.

"I was-"

"Shh!" He shushed me quickly and I knew why. Judging from the violent reds I'm hearing, it couldn't be good.

"Follow me. I know a place to hide." He stood up and took a leather messenger bag with him. He took my wrist and we took on a slight sprint.

"Where though?" I asked, surprised by his strong grip.

He chuckled and by flicking his wrist, the messenger bag suddenly became a shield. "We've been expecting you, dragon child. We were so tired of waiting for you."