[ WP ] You hunt exotic animals that have escaped , after a series of some unfortunate events you are now hunting for a dragon through New York .

My pocket shook, and I slid my phone out, glancing at the screen. A brief text, a lead on my most recent quarry. *'' Seen near Yolden Ave, two minutes ago. `` * I smiled grimly -- they always thought they could hide. But there was always a lead, someone who saw them, a dog trained to smell them. Monsters were impossible to hide in the city. 
 
 I chuckled as I remembered the time when I had to capture a Griffin. One of the largest MyTHs out there, it had cause quite a ruckus, traveling down the street and scaring pedestrians. It had probably been the simplest creature to find, if not the easiest to capture without hurting it. 
 
 I shifted the backpack on my shoulders and rolled down the street. My skateboard might look like a toy, but it was so much more. Sleek, efficient, and nearly indestructible, it made for a good way to dash around, following my target. It was n't conventional, but it worked for me. I had used it to run down goblins and gremlins, and even used it as a defence against an angry Cyclops. All I needed was a solid length of wheeled titanium and my human wits to take down most animalistic MyTHs. 
 
 As I turned the corner onto Yolden, a flash of golden-green caught my eye, even among the dozens of people wandering up and down the street. It was *different* from human movement, I knew, even if I could not say how. Practice helped me spot these discrepancies. 
 
 I weaved down the sidewalk to where I saw it, people edging out of the way of my skateboard. I stopped at an alleyway, dark and empty. 
 
 Except for a single glimmer of light, reflecting off of something very, very shiny. 
 
 It could have been a piece of trash, for all I could see. But I had a hunch, and those were usually correct. So I stepped off my board and lifted it up, folding it in a quick, routine motion, and sliding into a strap on my backpack. 
 
 In the same movement, I slid a small gun-shaped object out of a sheath. But instead of a barrel on the end, it had three small metal balls protruding. When the trigger was pulled, they would launch themselves outward and forward, pulling a wire net after them, and effectively scooping up anything it hit. It was my most reliable weapon. 
 
 Ignoring the strange glances I got from passersby, I crept inside the alley, gun up, watching the shiny spot carefully. A few feet away, it moved, sliding up the wall, and I finally got a clear look at it. 
 
 It was smallish and serpentine, the entirety of its body covered in flawless green scales, that shone gold in the little light that filtered down into the alley. It climbed the wall with razor sharp claws, gripping the gaps between bricks and slithering up. It stared at me with green, intelligent eyes. 
 
 I regretted that I had to capture this creature. It was beautiful, in a wild way. But the sanctorium requested I be the one to return it. My reputation as quick and painless was getting larger with every capture I made. 
 
 Carefully, while it remained still, I raised my gun, intending to take advantage of its curiosity to grab it quick. Most animals would n't recognize what I held as a threat, unless it had been used to capture them before. `` All right, boy,'' I muttered under my breath, `` Time for you to get back to your exhibit.'' 
 
 And to my utter shock, I heard a voice in my head. *I will not go! * 
 
 I was so surprised that I jerked, nearly dropping my net-gun. Terribly unprofessional, but I have to admit it scared me. `` You... can talk?'' 
 
 *I will not go! * The dragon repeated, shaking his head vehemently. *My life has been one of apathy, of never thinking, never doing. I have tasted freedom, and I find that I enjoy it. * 
 
 `` But... but the sanctorium is depending on me to get you back!'' I was horrified that I was reduced to pleading with the animal I was attempting to capture, but it was strange, knowing my target could talk. It would be much easier if he came along willingly. `` Did n't you enjoy the home they made for you? It was *designed* with you in mind, for Pete's sake! You wanted for nothing, needed nothing.'' 
 
 *And in association, * The dragon continued my thought, *I had nothing. The way to attain happiness is not by receiving everything you have ever dreamed of on a silver platter. * 
 
 `` You'll be in danger, out there!'' I took another tact. `` It's safe, here. No hurt, no death. You can live to be much, much older than any wild dragon.'' 
 
 *What is living, without death? What is joy, without pain? * The little dragon gazed at me with his tiny green eyes, mirth dancing within. *I desire to have a* life, *not this survival you offer. Sometimes... * he paused, glancing around the city. *sometimes, I believe you trap more than just other animals, human, in your world of communities and expectations. There is nothing wrong with making promises and agreements... unless the terms are never spoken, and the requirements impossible. * 
 
 I had nothing to say to that. 
 
 The dragon turned, claws scratching over the brick wall, and climbed upwards. At the top, he stopped, and twisted his long neck over his shoulder to look at me. *I will accept your pandering, your food and shelter. But not for me. Give it to another, someone of your own kind. Help your helpless, not the free. * 
 
 And with that, he spread his wings, glimmering in the sunlight, and soared away. 
 
 I let him.
