FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

In the dark night, I padded through the greenery and limbs, making way back to the location of the village within these woods. The sounds of the crickets were the only things keeping me company, although I wished they'd be quiet so I could hear anything else so easily, like a foosteps of a human, or their voice. Their noises were being a little too loud for this night. I let out a nervous breath when my side brushed along the smooth bark of the tree. I had every intention of not staying here anymore than I already did earlier. After hunting a deer in a location farther away from the village somewhere in the forest, and making sure I didn't leave any trace of myself anywhere at that spot in case anyone came over there for whatever reason, I was definitely thinking of taking off and going on my way without looking back. But...As you can tell, I did not. I was still wandering around on foot through all this rubbish, during the night, making tracks for the village...For the FOURTH time. Now why do I keep coming back to the village? It was because of that boy. Dart. My head ducked beneath a low branch so my horns wouldn't smack it again. I was already prepared for that. Part of me was still confused for why that boy was preventing me from getting a move on. I didn't care about humans that much. I mostly think they were all the same, only caring about their own kind and like to just scoff at other creatures that don't matter to them, because they aren't human. I mean, they do hunt for creatures for food, so why am I any different? I'm a different creature on four legs to them, just on a much larger scale. And of course I have heard they do think of us dragons as monsters. That's far from the case for me, I'm no monster, but they'd believe whatever they want and probably wouldn't listen to a word I'd say. Not listen to ANYTHING. I would know. That's why I mostly stay away from them whenever I get the chance. But then again, I ain't in the mood for company anyways. Human AND dragon. But for some reason, that young human keeps reeling me back to his home. It was because hours ago, I decided I wanted to keep an eye on him...At least for a little while. But why bother? Why do I suddenly care about him? I shouldn't anyways, but I am. Why? I had a grim look as a memory flashed in my mind. Because I know what he went through. Being picked on by somebody else. I know how that feels...Deeply. I haven't felt that way in ages. I guess I didn't want the thought of him being bullied by another human, which is a bit of a contrast to how I usually thought about humanity in the first place, that they don't push each other around, running rampant in my head even after I chose to leave here. I wanted to make sure he wouldn't get picked on ever again. I...I wanted to make sure he was safe. Course my sane side of my brain was calling me stupid and yelling at me to turn back and not take chances and fly far away from here, but I barely managed to ignore it. I wasn't leaving till I was satisfied. But if I do get caught and those humans start attacking me then I'm outta here. Plain and simple. Just because I don't like humans...Doesn't mean I hate enough to kill them. Let's hope they don't actually kill me instead. For all attempts of keeping track of that human's well-being, I could've just followed him in the village with my invisible scales intact and kept an eye on him that way. But that was too much risk of being found out by anyone. Anybody, like a human hatchling, would bump into me and then I'd be in serious trouble. I figured it was best to keep distance from the village and stay outside, and wait at the same spot where I first saw him. The last two times I waited around to see if I can see the human again. Just make sure there weren't no bruises or cuts on him. But I haven't seen him at all, so I gave up at the end of those times and wandered back into the forest just to kill some time a little bit, before I'd try again. I'm kinda not holding my breath that he's probably at the river tonight. He might be turning into bed now. That didn't mean I wasn't giving this another try. Then my mind recalled the outcome of the battle Dart went through. He did look humiliated because of what that ass did. It was a dirty trick, as Dart put it. I do hope, against my better judgement, that he is ok. If I ended up that way in a battle, I don't know how I'd feel. I snorted, my tucked in wings fluttered. Probably angry, for certain. I finally made it to the edge of the trees and found the river. The lights those houses made casted a bit of a glow within the village, which reflected off the surface of the water. I can hear voices still lively inside the place. Unexpetedly, a wafting smell of something delicous was in the air. I think it was coming from the village too. What are these people doing in there? Must be cooking something over a fire. I took a sniff. Mmmm...Smells good. What is that? My tail swishing behind me, my nose took a few more long whiffs just to make a conclusion. Pig? No wonder it smells good. But I didn't totally care about that though, even though my stomach wanted me to go in there and mingle with the people of the village and eat the cooked boar, even when I already ate. The pig just smelled too good to pass up. But, I just stuck to the task at hand. With my good vision, I eyed along the bank, trying to spot any human outside their home. I didn't see any at first, but then I caught sight a lone one standing on the bridge overlapping the river. I knew that the darkness would provide me cover in these trees, but I still didn't wanna risk getting spotted. I took a deep, lasting breath and calmed my mind. My blue scales quickly shimmered into nothing, blending along my surroundings. I had disappeared from head to talon, and focused all my attention on the only person I see out here. Sure enough, that was the one I was looking for. Dart was leaning over the bridge, probably staring at the water. I squinted at him. Wonder how he's doing? ***** My reflection stared back at me. The only expression it held was that sense of longing. I lifted my dreamy gaze to the darkened woods. I was trying to remember all the things my dad had told me about the outside world. I pictured what was beyond those trees, like I've done many times before. All that open space, without tall trees blocking my view, landscapes I had never seen in person before. Every single place my father brought up. I can kinda remember a bit of travelling before I was living in this village, but not as much as the destruction of the previous one. It was a little vague. But that doesn't stop me from imagining all that. I pretty much did ever since I was a kid a lot, not to mention the need to see it. That had always made me want to get out of here. And ever since Kay had shown up, since the village hasn't had a visitor like that for a while, it made me want to see the world more. Heck, I heard that Kay can leave and come back here whenever he pleased. That part definitely did it for me. If he can do that, then why can't I? Course, maybe he probably won't ever leave this place. I don't know if he was just joking around with the twins earlier about staying here forever or not, but if he isn't, then I guess I'm the only one leaving. I do think I should say goodbye to him, since he is a bit my friend, but I don't wanna risk that. I let out a longing sigh, as the smell of hog was in the air still and it went up my nose. Tonight the village was having this annual hog roast, one of the few fun things this place has. It was hosted in the middle of the place, always set during nighttime so that way nothing airborne above the forest village, dragons of course, would see any kind of 'smoke signal' coming through the cracks of the canopy during the day. Well, not so easily now in the dark, still not a total guarantee. But a dragon never came busting through the forest ceiling and crashed the party, did they? We've been pretty lucky with this annual roast. Everyone was having a good time. I did too, but then I decided to wander away and ended up on the bridge. The reason why was, for one thing I wasn't hungry anymore, and I wanted some alone time, and mull over the fact that this would be my last night that I'll ever get to sleep at. I partly still can't believe that my time to see what's out there is coming. Soon. Tomorrow night. I totally wished that I can just leave now in a hurry without looking back. But I knew now was not the time. My parents and everyone else was still awake. If I left now, then my parents would notice and be in a panic and wound up a search party and try to stop me. I'm not springing my plan into action yet. It was still tomorrow night. I think I can wait a little longer. I pulled something out of my pocket, gazing directly at the small object in my hand. It was a scale. Not a fish scale, but a dragon scale in a red color. It was something my dad gave me when I was a kid. He said that he got it off a slain dragon, the first one he ever killed, as a reminder of that first accomplishment. Then one day he decided to give it to me, both as a gift, and to show me that dragons can die. Luckily I held on to it all these years. Despite that time, even after I was still a little scared at the time after Sapwood happened, I knew it wouldn't be fair to get rid of something that my dad has given me as a small treasure. Despite everything in the past, I thought it was a cool thing to have for a long time, since it was one of the couple evident things that my dad was a dragonslayer. It also does remind me a ton that there are bigger things that are outside this village, things and places I really wanted to see out there. Sometimes I think it also gives me the strength to leave this place. I nodded a bit at it. Just hold on, Dart...You'll get out of this prison soon enough... Someone's voice cut through my thoughts, "Hi, Dart." I jumped a bit, almost dropping the scale in the river but held onto it tightly, both not expecting to hear a voice and also kinda worried that someone knew what I was thinking and knew what I was planning. Shoving the scale back inside my pocket, I turned to see the source, and then smiled. Immediately I brushed that paranoid thought out of my mind. It was someone I've known since childhood, a pretty girl that was born in this village that was about the same age as me, with long red-rose hair that falls over her shoulders, a cute smile on her soft-looking lips, and a couple inches shorter than me. That was Heather, the person I was trying to see earlier before I got tormented by Gunther and his two pals. Apparently she was making up for my earlier absence now. She was like the only real friend I had in the village, well, except before Kay arrived. But I know her all too well compared to him. She is smart and kind and funny, and most of all, does take me seriously. Whenever I do feel more down than I was earlier today, I would lean on her shoulder and talk to her about everything, and she listens good. Quite frankly, she was the only person that knows my ambitious plans of leaving this village for god knows how long. I know she can keep a secret, and so far, nobody else knows. I'm proud of her for that. I can always trust her with anything. And another thing I oughta mention, if I had to pick between her and the twins to hang around with, I'd probably wanna hang out with her, and she isn't as beautiful as they are. But...She is rather...Cute. Okay, maybe I do LIKE her, but you can understand why. And a part of me thinks she likes me too the same way. But we both haven't admitted our feelings yet. I kinda want to, but I also kinda don't. Maybe it's because I was thinking it'd be awkward if we tried to go out, and perhaps she was thinking the same thing. I mean...All we ever been throughout our whole lives was being friends, best friends. Can we ever blossom from friends to boyrfriend and girlfriend? I'm not sure I know. But I don't think I can worry about that anymore anyways. I was gonna leave her home soon...For who knows how long. And we both know it. Who knew how long it'd be before I can come back here? Months? Years? A feeling of despair kinda showed up in my heart. It's almost heartbreaking to think about... I finally responded to her with a grin, "Hey, Heather." "Whatcha doing out here?" She took a step forward and said, "You left the feast early, not to mention in kind of a hurry. Something bothering you?" I shook my head, "Not really. I just couldn't stomach down all the hog meat. Yourself?" Heather replied, a giggle welled deeply in her throat, "I was getting tired of eating like you. And I didn't have to stick around through the whole thing. I don't wanna watch everyone stuff their faces all night long." I said in agreement, "I know. Not a whole lot of entertainment going on. We probably should've hired some performers for us to watch." Heather rejected one thing, "Best we not bring dancing and music. Cause, you know..." She pointed up the sky. I nodded, "Yeah." Then I shot my head to my right, "But then again...Who'd wanna perform for us?" She suggested, "Probably Lily and Rose. They're good at doing flips and cartwheels." I replied, "Heh...Yeah, that's true. But how long would they put on a show? Next thing we know we might need to hire some storytellers to fill in the wide gap of open silence." Heather said, "Your dad's good at that. Eating and storytelling are a good combination." "Right." I'm surprised nobody's thought of that for all the past hog roasts. Then I thought back to my father. I still haven't apologized to him and mom about our argument earlier. Mostly apologize to my father. I wasn't gone long after I ran out of the house, but when I came back, I didn't bother looking at them. I just went to my room and sat in there till tonight. I was feeling kinda guilty after all those certain things I said. I still am frankly. I thought that could wait since there was still some tension going on anyways. Maybe all that did simmer down several notches, but during tonight, I did try to avoid making eye contact with my parents...Even when I was sitting close to them. Let's hope it doesn't last long before I leave tomorrow night. I do want to apologize to dad about what I said. I know he's not a loser, and he never will be in my eyes. I still think he is a hero. A hero that has fought valiantly against the monsters of the sky. And that will never change. Heather then commented, sighing, "But really, I don't know how anyone can eat anything so massive. Did you see how big the hog was? You'd have to be a dragon to eat all that in one go." I giggled then added, "Probably have to be an expert in eating that much. Or maybe one of those fat rich kings that like to eat a lot than rule properly." "Ugh..." She covered her mouth. Her words were muffled when she said, "If I was queen and I was watching my husband eat everything in front of me, I'd be leaving him." I nodded in agreement, grinning, "Wouldn't blame you." I glanced out towards the woods, "Also wouldn't surprise me if all this smell attracted some giant predator out of its home." Heather came and stood beside me. She commented, "We've been really lucky. This isn't our first hog roast of our lives. But if anything did come, it better be a bear. No dragons allowed." I looked toward her with a teasing quirked brow, "Nah, I was betting for a panther to show." "So dangerous." She giggled, pointing out playfully, "Just like how you'll be risking your own hide to see it all." I replied, "I ain't scared." Heather gave me a knowing look. Then I shrugged and admitted, "Well...A little, but I'm not too scared." My best friend was shaking her head playfully with a teasing grin. She spoke, "Well, if you did, who's gonna wanna talk to me? I'll be pretty lonely without you." You have no idea what I'll be feeling. I responded, "Well...There is Kay. You know, the new guy. He doesn't seem so bad. He's actually a great guy. I'm sure he can keep away all the pests that come bother you. He's got a protective side." Heather inquired, "Are you trying to set me up with him? I don't know him that well." Then she held a suspicious look, "One time when I tried asking him questions about his past, he seems to try avoiding the subject." I only stated, "That is weird." He didn't seem that way to me. Then she brought up, "But here's the thing...I think he's a little full of himself." I asked, "Really? Why?" Then she answered, "Because he bragged that he's such a strapping boy and he knew where all the gorgeous women lived at at where he used to live, and knew how to get them to like him, and share a dance with him. And he said that he wished all of us could dance to music here and he'd give me a good waltz. He said that to me tonight actually. At first he was acting normal to me like he's been for days, but then he said all that. Then he put his arm around me. I gotta admit...It was weird." Wow...I didn't think he actually LIKED her already. Hearing her talk about him like that doesn't sound like him at all. A little different than hours ago that's for sure. I mentioned, putting on a grin and shrugging my shoulders, "Well, you gotta admit...He does look like Prince Charming." Heather finally grinned back and told me, "Thanks, but I don't think he's my type. A guy with a chin like that doesn't work with me." I defended, "I think he probably drank a bit earlier and might've been drunk. He is an adult you know." She sighed a little, "I hope you're right about that. Cause if he tried anything...Odd, I'm gonna try to kill him." I assured her by rubbing her shoulder comfortingly, "I don't think he'd dream of it." She smiled sweetly at me in return. And if he did do something like that and I found out about it...I won't take it lightly. Whether I knew how to fight well or not, I don't care. Nobody hurts her and gets away with it. As we stared at each other for a long moment, someone cut in, "Such a romantic moment we have here." My stomach curled at the voice. Oh no... I looked past Heather and saw Gunther, who was all alone and stood at the end of the bridge. I held a irritated face. Not him again. Can't I catch a break already? Heather whirled around too just to spot him. Gunther waltzed on the wooden planks and came close to us. He was having that smug grin again on his face. He said, "Sorry to ruin it. You guys just disappeared and I was making sure everything is ok." I stated in annoyance as Heather just narrowed her eyes at him, "You mean annoy the heck out of us instead of someone else." My bully revealed, "Oh everyone else was rather busy than to deal with me. You, mostly, were pretty free." Then he asked Heather this, "Say, when are you gonna dump this fellow and be with me? I'm not so bad once you get to know me." He winked. Heather heatedly remarked, "I know what you are, so I won't bother." "Really? Even the REAL me? You have no idea what the real me is." He said apologetically but his eyes didn't show them, "Look, I may have said some harsh things to you in the past...And maybe yanked your hair a few times in school because I thought I was plucking a lovely rose, but now that I realize what you became now, it made me change my ways." Heather pointed out, rolling her eyes, "Yeah, for the worst. I heard what you did to Dart earlier. Kay told me. That was probably one of the worst things you did to him. How can you say you've changed when you were picking on him again and being happy about it?" I told him, "Look, if you really want to change, how about you start by pigging out some more and leave us be? You look like a pig anyways." But Gunther ignored me like usual and only talked to Heather, motioning his hand to me, "C'mon, he's DIRT just like his name. Why do you keep hanging out with this guy? He doesn't have a backbone in his body and can't even stand his ground against me. He won't last long with you. You do know he's washed up dirt like his dad, right?" I so wanted to knock his lights out considering what he did to me today. But Heather grabbed my hand and tried tugging me, "Dart, let's go. He's never worth it." Gunther scoffed, "Chicken wuss. Go cry running to your daddy. Both of you can shed tears together knowing how worthless you both are." I was giving that guy a hard stare, not replying a single word. I was hoping that me staring at him would set him on fire, like I was a dragon burning him alive. What a sight that'd be. My best friend urged and yanked again, "Come on!" Finally, after staring hard at him for another second, I pulled myself out of that stance and went with her. The two of us wandered past his lanky form and off the bridge, heading back to the village without glancing back at him. ***** I watched Dart and that girl Heather head back to the village together. Shortly they disappeared inside it. Gunther was still on the bridge, probably pondering his internal loss. I think that was a blow to his ego. I snorted at the mere sight of him. Take that, you little prick. I shifted a bit on the ground, but I accidentally stepped on something on the ground. It made a loud snap. That made my eyes go wide. Shoot! I think it was loud enough that even that little bully heard it where he stood. He was staring intently at the woods. I froze still. I couldn't tell if he was staring right at me, but maybe close. I mentally pleaded as I was stiff as a tree. Please don't come here...Please don't come here, or there will be trouble...For me! Gunther never did move off the bridge to search for me. Instead, he shortly went after the two young humans that already left him. Not running, like he was chasing after Dart to finish what he started, least I was hoping he wasn't chasing him either way, just slogging behind till he was gone too. I took a deep breath with my nose and let it out of my snout slowly. Well...Good that poor boy didn't get into another fight with that guy. And Dart was right about one thing...Gunther does look like a pig. I guess Dart's gonna be ok tonight. I bet. I eyed at the village, then glaring at it. I guess it was a good thing that Gunther, NOBODY did know I was here. When that Heather said something about 'no dragons allowed', I knew this place doesn't welcome my kind. Totally figures. Why would I expect this village to be totally welcoming of dragons? Not like I have too much faith in humanity. Part of me says I oughta just leave this place right now and never come back again. But my feelings about Dart kept chaining me to the ground. I don't think I am done watching over him yet. Gunther looks like he's still a threat. I'll keep at it tomorrow. With that, I turned around and made tracks deep into the woods. My one part of my brain still thought I was crazy for still going along with this, knowing this village doesn't support dragon company. I'm certain no one would appreciate a dragoness like me stalking some young boy. Heck, even my brain was telling me to just leave Dart be. That he isn't worth my time anymore. I frowned in thought as I continued to stroll pass the trees and bushes. Looking back on it, he didn't seem to argue with Heather about dragons being allowed here. But I did hear him mentioning something about 'the smell attracting some giant predator'. Sounds like he was referring to a dragon. Does Dart not like dragons too? Even though he's...SORTA...SOMEWHAT...Like me? I was shaking my head and ending it with my eyes narrowed and a snort as I continued to traverse through the trees and bushes. So what? I don't care what he thinks of me and my kind. It's not like I have to talk to him, I don't need to. I just have to make sure he'll be all right after today. I don't need to come up to him one day and say hello. I don't even want to. I'm not looking for a friend. Least I don't think so. That isn't part of the plan anyways. I'm sure it is...Nothing will change my mind. ***** As me and Heather were heading down the street in the village, she gazed at me when she asked, "Are you feeling ok, Dart?" I looked at her with a appreciative smile. I replied in a low tone, just in case someone else was nearby, "Yeah. I think we both know that this'll be the last time I hear him mocking me. He'll be so surprised. Show him that I'm not worthless. Heck if I kill a dragon and cut off its head and then come back here one day to show everyone what I did, his jaw will drop." Heather giggled, trying not to act disgusted as she brushed her hair with her hand, "Goodness, Dart. Really want to live up to your dad, huh?" I boasted, "Why not? It'll show everyone that my family can be the greatest dragonslayers of all time...Not just Squall. And I can shove it in Gunther's face and watch him crumble." Then I added with a slight chuckle, "Oh heck I think before I'll do that, he'll think I just exiled myself and won't miss me. I won't care. I certainly won't miss him either." Heather said, her eyes showing me worry, "You sure you want to do it? Did you ever come up with a plan to know where you're going?" I answered, "Not really. I'm just going where the road takes me." I looked ahead with a thoughtful expression, "But I am kinda thinking of trying to find out where my grandfather lives. I never met him before...I kinda do want to get to know him." I didn't have much family growing up, but I did know from dad that I PROBABLY might still have a granddad, which his father is named Lucius. I tried asking dad what he was like, and he has mentioned that grandpa used to be a dragonslayer too, since my father came from a family of a long line of dragonslayers, and that was how he was taught to be one, and lives in a very big house. More bigger than mine, like a mansion. But the thing about it was, the reason why I never got to meet him before in my life, well, aside being forbidden to leave this village, one day, seemingly out of the blue, probably a bit before my dad and mom got married and had me, both dad and grandpa had cut ties with each other. Why that was? It was because grandpa didn't appreciate my dad settling down and giving up his stance as a dragonslayer. Sounds like he didn't support that decision. Maybe it was for the best that I never grew up with my grandfather. Dad did say he seemed a bit...Stern with things. But still, I wouldn't mind meeting him. He doesn't sound so...Bad. Heh...Maybe he might be proud that I'm actually his grandson, that I'm travelling like him and dad, carrying on the family tradition, and maybe he might even be the one to teach me how to put up a good fight. That might be cool. Better than asking dad about it. Then I remembered my planned apology for him. I hope I do apologize to him about what I said to him soon. I'm sure I'll do it tomorrow before I leave. Heather then pressed, "Well, that's good. But how will you fight a dragon, if you ever come across one, if your dad never taught you?" I gave her a cheeky grin, "Have no faith in me do you?" She laughed a bit, "Well I'm just saying!" I argued, "Hey, it's not like I can't fight a little bit. Just...Not too well." Heather simply stated with a chuckle, "I know. I did try to help you train yourself." Then I went on, "And I always did appreciate the help. But, I guess I'll just find another man with years of battle training to teach me. Maybe my grandpa. I'm sure I'll find a way to be great at it." Shortly after we both stopped at the front door of my house, she asked again, "You're not letting this go, are you? Even with you probably facing death soon? Even when you are going alone?" I said with pride, "Most certainly, definitely not. I mean...I'm not gonna stay here for the rest of my life, even if my parents have me grounded in this house for the rest of my life." I waved at the area around us, "It's always the same old stuff. I feel like I'm always trapped here, and you know that's a fact. I'd rather be rid of Gunther for a lifetime. I just want to see what's out there...See what I have been missing." Then I offered, "But you know, if you're that worried, you can come with me. I know how well I can be in a fight, but I will do my best to protect you." Heather just stared at me, with a small smile rising on her lips. She finally responded, "Oh...You're sweet, but I can't, Dart. I'd miss my dad so much." I shrugged my shoulders, "Hey I'm not saying I wouldn't miss mine, but-" "Besides." She interjected, "My dad doesn't have my mom anymore, remember? What he would do without me? He'd probably have a heart attack and I'd lose BOTH parents." I let out a defeated sigh. She does have a point. Ever since her mom died from an illness a few years back, Heather was the only thing her father had left. He probably wouldn't live without her. Then I softly nodded, "Alright...I can take the hint...But I am gonna miss you." "I know." She leaned forward...And her lips planted my cheek a kiss. My eyes popped wide open. Did she just-? When she pulled back, she said, "I'm gonna miss you too. We both stared at each other for a long time. Wow...She never did that before. Then she broke the silence with a innocent question, "So...Is this goodbye?" I'm beginning to wish I didn't have to leave. That kiss was starting to make me change my mind about everything. But...I can't back down from my plans, or else I may never forgive myself. I shook my head, "I'll try to give you a proper goodbye tomorrow...When I'm done working at the stables. Ok?" "Ok." She turned her body a bit to the direction of her house. She gave me a small wave, "Goodnight." I waved back, "Night, Heather." She began walking away from me, and I just stood and watched. I let out a huge sigh. Heather... I certainly am going to miss you a lot. I wish I could tell her my feelings towards her now...But I'm afraid if I do, then that will definitely prevent me from leaving. I couldn't risk it. Maybe she will not be with Kay or Gunther or anyone while I'm gone. I think she might stay this way. Maybe one day...When I'm done with all this adventuring...I'll come back and tell her everything. Tell her all the things I went through. All the accomplishments I've mustered. And then...Maybe I'll tell her how I feel. That's a vow to her that I'm willing to keep. ***** I emerged quickly from the house. Then I stood outside and watched with tears streaming down my face. Cries of pain and burning wood from the houses rang against my ears as I tried to see dad with my eyes. There were some people trying to fight off these giant lizard things that can shoot fire from their mouths, while more were running away. One person that I can't really remember their name was swiped away by one like they were an annoying fly. Three more were set on fire by another one too. They screamed pretty loudy and running around in circles before they collasped. But I was more worried about dad than anything. I think he was still out there. He said he was going to make those things go away and then he left me and mommy. But where is he? Where's dad?! I heard mommy crying out for me from inside, "Dart! Dart, where are you?! She didn't know I ran outside alone to look for dad. I didn't wanna stay and wait for him anymore. I called out for him, "DAD! DAAAAAD!!!" Then I heard mommy shriek, "LOOK OUT!!!" I felt something was behind me and turned to face it. At first I thought I was staring at night already, but looking up it turned out to be another one of those big lizard things with very black scales. It was growling down at me with its dark eyes staring at me. Mommy screamed at the top of her lungs, "RUN! DART!! GET OUT OF THERE! HURRY!!!" But I didn't move. I couldn't even raise an arm. I was scared. REALLY scared. Then, the big monster actually spoke, in a deep voice, "Hmph...Meddling hatchlings." I was surprised knowing it can talk. Then I can see smoke rising out of its mouth. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Fire blew down at me- Then I woke up with a small, sharp gasp. I only sat, breathing heavily with my heart pounding fast in my chest. My eyes darted around to see that I was in my bedroom. It was still nighttime. I let out a slow sigh of relief. Gods...It was just a dream. I wasn't my six year old self. I wasn't in Sapwood. It was just another nightmare. I lay my head back down on the pillow, gazing at the ceiling. I slowly tried to relax as I thought back to what I saw. It wasn't just a nightmare, but rather an awful memory. It wasn't the first time I seen that in my sleep. Out of everything that happened years ago...I can still distinctly remember that one little part in particular, like it was yesterday. When I looked at that dragon, the first dragon I ever seen standing real close to me, I remember being totally frightened. I never saw a dragon before, heck, I don't think I heard of dragons before that day occured. It was only after I survived that day is when my mom and dad, father especially, told me about dragons, about what they were. Smart, murderous monsters that like to kill anything that won't be able to stop them. I saw the other many dragons that were attacking the village that day, but the one that was right in front of me real close, and speaking to me in that tone of voice...That one was much more menacing, more imposing, more frightening... It really was the scariest thing I had seen in my life at that point. I can never forget that dragon. Not as long as I live. I was very lucky to be alive. If it weren't for mom and dad...I wouldn't be here. I held in a breath for a long moment before letting it out, letting some curious thoughts flow through my mind. Is that dragon still out there somewhere? Probably wondering what went on with me? Is he vengeful cause he let a little boy escape his grasp? Has he been trying to find me for years to finish what he started? I don't want to think about it. It seems a bit off the wall that that dragon in particular would still remember me and try to find me. He's probably forgotten about me by now. Maybe he doesn't care anymore. Who knows, he probably thinks I am dead. That sounded more logical...Me and my family did trick him and his fellows minions into thinking we were that day. I suppose... I twisted my neck to gaze out the window. Well...I won't let that stop me. Besides, maybe some other dragonslayer has probably slain him. He's probably gone by now. Either alive nor dead, I ain't worrying about it. I'm still leaving tomorrow night. One way or another.