Free The City Heroes by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

survive, Blaize tried to jump as others had, but it was now too far and he found himself in the water. Dag and Fred tried to help but there was nothing they could do to save their friend. They were reduced to watch in sorrow as the flood carried Blaize away.
    Blaize struggled to stay alive, but the strong movement of water carried him downstream towards the carnal. He clung to another piece of floating wood and hung onto it as Dag and Fred looked on. Shortly after, he disappeared into the canal.

CHAPTER 2
Drood



It was not raining hard now but the carnal was still overflowing, and the bewildered cat clung tenaciously to a piece of wood that had kept him from adding his death to the tragedy. Not long after, the wood floated to a corner of the stream and became entangled in barbwire, leaving the poor creature stranded. A short distance away from the carnal, at the foot of an almond tree, stood a boy called Drood, who had nicknamed himself the Master of Enchantment. Holding an umbrella, he whistled as if this horrible morning was the best day of his life.
    The boy glanced at the canal and his gaze fell upon the cat. He was not sure if the creature would survive, for it was weak and frail from its ordeal in the water. Smiling faintly, Drood peered down at the cat. A righteous man regards the life of his beast, he thought to himself, and found a piece of wood behind the almond tree. He stretched out the piece of wood toward the cat, and the creature did not disappoint him: Blaize hopped onto the branch as the boy pulled him out of the water. As the cat breathed the air of salvation, Drood adjusted his umbrella, straightened his chin and moved away. He now must return to the factory before his boss, Mr. Stanfield, returned.
    Blaize had regained his footing but there was little strength left in him. He thought he would try to return to the neighborhood to meet Fred and Dag, but after taking only a few steps, he changed his mind and followed Drood, the boy who had saved his life.
    By the time Drood reached the factory, the air was still and the rain had completely abated. The flood had displaced many, and most of the buildings on the other side of town were underwater.
    Drood had settled well into his new job as an apprentice. He was expected to be at the factory after school hours everyday, as well as during holidays. Today was no exception.
    After the day’s work was finished and it was time to return home, Drood picked up his umbrella and placed it underneath his arm. He walked down the old street without noticing the cat on his trail. Not long after, he was at home, his dog Thatcher by his side. As Drood ate his evening meal, the dog waited patiently for crumbs to drop from his master’s table. But that was not the case, for Drood was hungry. Still, he fed the leftovers to the dog. As Thatcher relished the moment, Blaize watched from the top of a fence.

CHAPTER 3
Blaize Meets Thatcher



The starry night was cold and calm. Drood and his family had put the day behind them, leaving the night in the hands of the rats. Thatcher was awake in his kennel, but there was nothing he could do to put the rodent situation under control.
    Blaize was not gone. The cat was still hanging on the fence when an idea flew into his head. He could kill the rats to thank Drood for saving his life. Immediately, he went to work. After few minutes, he stumbled upon a rat in the compound. Blaize gave chase and eventually caused a disturbance as he rounded a drum to pounce on the rat. Hearing the disturbance, Thatcher jumped to his feet and began barking. By the time the dog reached the commotion, the rat had breathed his last as Blaize stood over the expired creature. “What are you doing here?” Thatcher asked with a frown.
    Blaize smiled and returned, “It is I, Blaize.”
    Clearing his throat, the dog protested, “This is my territory. You don’t have any right to hunt here!”
    Blaize pushed the dead creature aside