Chapter 2

Early morning light poured into Sharky's bedroom, as he ran his claws through the orange spiked crest on top of his head. Looking himself over one last time, he turned to amble out the door to his room. Leaping down two at a time, he skipped down the spiral wooden stairs and headed into the kitchen. Parting his jaws slightly to taste the air, Sharky eyed the figure of another leopard gecko hovering over the stove. "Hiya mom." Sharky greeted her with a nod, as he slipped closer to the front door. His mother, yellow scaled with black specks and bright green eyes, looked up from her work; "Oh, hey! Where are you off to? I've made breakfast." his mother, Jade, said with a smile. Sharky immediately stopped in his tracks, tail flicking to and fro with excitement. "I'm heading out to meet Serena at the Twisted Oak." Sharks answered as he padded over to the dining room table, pulling out a wooden chair for himself. Jade slid a sizzling slice of bacon onto his plate, "You wouldn't be trying to stake out today's city meeting, would you?" she eyed him cautiously, as Sharky swallowed his breakfast whole in a quick bite. "Me? Spying on the mayor's city meeting?" Sharky blinked innocently with his bright blue eyes. Jade sighed at her son, "Well I guess you aren't a hatchling anymore... Just please stay out of trouble for me, ok?" the larger leopard gecko whisked her tail across Sharky's cheek, as she waved him goodbye. "Your father may be there as well! You both better be back by sundown, or I'll come get you!" Jade called out, as Sharky ran out the front door. Shark I glanced back at his home, the Spineback household consisted of a large oak wood treehouse. Its pointed roof touched the blue sky and the windows glowed in the sunlight. The thick tree's branches supported the house's foundation and second story, and the leaves kept it well insulated from the windy weather. A small rope swing Sharky's father, Thorn, had made for him hung from a particular sideways branch. Sharky turned away from the house he had grown up in and headed straight down the street towards Animalia, the largest city on this side of the continent. A bright red car sped past, honking a high-pitched note. Sharky reeled backward, fumbling over his tail as he scrambled out of the way. That was close, he thought to himself, I need to pay attention! Picking up speed, he jogged under the highway overpass and turned onto a sidewalk. Ahead he could make out the monorail station his family normally took to visit all around and go deeper into the heart of the city. "Summer District Monorail and Company" read the large silver and blue lettered sign, as Sharky skipped up the front steps and into the station. "Morning young Spineback! How's your mother?" the voice was familiar, yet spooked Sharky as he reached the top of the stairs. He looked up at the giraffe towering feet over him. "Oh, hey Mr. Conductor," Sharky answered, as he followed him into the station. Climbing onto a waiting seat, Sharky stood up on his back legs to peer at his favorite map of Animalia. The city was split into five main districts: Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall, and the heart of the city remained just Animalia. Sharky was from Summer District; where summer lasted all year long, beaches and forests were everywhere. Winter District on the other hand had endless ice and snow, home to many thick-coated animals. Sharky liked visiting it from time to time but never stayed long as he would freeze. The heart of Animalia was different, it lay at the edge where the four districts meet- causing it to have all four seasons. "The city sure is perfect right?" The monorail conductor came up behind Sharky again, causing him to jump. "The next train's leaving, you coming?" the giraffe motioned, as Sharky took one last look at the map, "I'm coming!" he said. "What? Speak up!" the giraffe hollered far above him. Sharky frowned up at him, why did he have to be so short? He was as tall as the other geckos, as tall as a baby horse. Yet just about everyone else still towered over him. "I'm coming!" he said louder, feeling slightly embarrassed as he looked like he was shouting at the ceiling. Leaping onto the monorail platform, the leopard gecko hurried onto the train, taking a window seat near the front. "Next stop, Animalia!" the conductor called, as he waved from the station. The monorail whirred to a start and soon flew down the track, bright silver and blue against the green hills. Sharky pressed his snout to the window, watching with wide eyes as the city came into view. Skyscrapers touched the sky, roads snaked through the city, shops full of animals darting around buying goods. The monorail dipped down a hill and rolled right over the city streets below, Sharky scanned out the window for people he knew. Spotted the city hall, Sharky swished his tail in excitement as he saw crowds gathering around. The next station neared as the train screeched to a stop, the brakes thumped and Sharky was thrown against the window with a splat. "Now entering Animalia city!" the loudspeaker boomed as Sharky hurried out the door and into his station. I hope Serena hasn't been waiting for me too long, he thought, as he slipped through the crowd of gazelles boarding next. Looking around, he spotted the Twisted Oak- an old oak tree that overlooked the city hall. Sharky peered closer to barely make out Serena waving at him to hurry up. Breaking into a run, Sharky ran on all fours across the sidewalk and onto the grass of the city park. "Took you long enough! The meeting is about to start, come on!" Serena meowed, pulling Sharky towards the oak tree. "I see you're glad to see me." Sharky looked over her, as they pounced onto the lowest branch. Serena's tail brushed his, as Sharky continued to study her eyes. "Look you big lizard, the meeting us that way," she said teasingly. Sharky rolled his eyes and flicked his tail as he watched the crowds gather around, the mayor was about to appear.