Night finally came to the city and I've put my plan into motion, to escape the city.

After what happened to me today, including my latest meltdown with Sierra. I've decided that I'm not giving up, I'm going back home once and for all. That's what Joanna would want.

I was standing on the balcony in my room. Since I'm thinking that I need to climb down from here. Since going out through the motel entrance is a bad idea, I'll get caught if I try it.

Luckily, while I was looking for a way to get down, I saw vines on the wall near the balcony. Judging by how far it goes, it goes all the way down to the bottom, to the street.

I smiled when I saw the vines. Perfect, I can climb down from here. I patted my pockets, making sure that I have my flashlight, my knife, and my camera with me. All right I have everything, time to get the hell out of here.

I went to the balcony banister and I climbed over it. I made my way carefully to the vines on the wall and I grabbed them. I jumped to them, making sure I have a good grip on them and found my footing. Then I started to climb down slowly.

So far so good, the vines were holding my weight. I kept climbing down, hoping no one would see me doing this.

I seriously hope that Sierra doesn't find me again. I'm in big enough trouble as it is.

Maybe I shouldn't be doing this. I mean, not every dragon is mean to me. I mean, there's that small green dragon who was nice to me. The one who looked young and small compared to the other dragons here. Then there's that old magenta female dragon who was nice to me at the restaurant. In a way, she was treating me like I was her child. They both weren't that bad.

I shook my head and kept climbing. No, you don't belong here! You were kidnapped and brought here against your will. You have to get home.

I climbed until I've finally reached the bottom. I jumped off the vines and landed on the stone street. I beamed happily. Yes! I've made it! Now I just need to get out of the city, over that wall.

I jogged a bit in the streets, this city even has streetlights here. Feels like I'm running in the human world, but I'm not.

I kept jogging, hoping I wouldn't get caught. I could see the wall from where I am, that's the edge of the city. Before I could move to it, I could hear voices in the distance. I stopped in my tracks and found an alleyway and hid in it.

While I was hiding, I could see two dragons walking past me, talking in their own language. After they walked past me, I got out of my hiding spot and went back to what I was doing.

Finally after what feels like it's been awhile, I've finally made it to the wall. The big gate was still shut and the doors are too big for me to open, so I need to find another way out.

I looked to my left and found a staircase that leads me to the top of the wall. Well it's a start anyways. I took the first step on the staircase and used them to reach the top. Before I could step on top of the wall, I could see a dragon patrolling on the wall. I ducked down before it could see me. The dragon walked past me without incident. I peeked over making sure that no one else is coming. There are no other dragons coming.

I came out of the hiding spot and stood on top of the wall. I whirled around looking at the skyline of the city. Wow, nice view. I whirled back around to look over at the other side of the wall. Alright now I just need to get off this wall and get away from here.

I jogged on the wall, trying to find a way to get down from here. Why couldn't I have wings like they do?! I continued to jog, until I could see vines sticking to the top of the wall. Alright more vines!

I looked down and the vines goes all the way down to the bottom of the wall. Well just like before, climb down until you hit the bottom.

I raised my leg to get over the wall, to find my footing on the vine. I found my footing and I climbed over the wall. I gripped the edge of the  wall and I grabbed on to the vines and then I started to climb down the wall.

I climbed until I hit the bottom and I put my foot on the ground then the other. I backed away from the wall after I've finally made it.

I beamed and started giggling to myself. Yes! I did it! I'm out of here! I stared at the wall for one last time and I whirled around. I saw a trail not far away and I jogged to it, ready to go home.

Don't worry mom and dad, I'm on my way home.

*****

I've jogged and jogged for a long time. I'm sure I'm far away from the city by now, because when I was far away from it, the world started shifting like it did before. I think I know why not one human didn't see the dragon city before. Apparently there's some kind of invisibility cloak that surrounds the city. That's why no one sees this city. The cloak is meant to hide the dragons from the human world. But I wonder what makes the cloak? That's what I'm wondering.

Well the dragons could do whatever they want, I'm getting the hell out of here. But first off, I need to find a way off the mountains.

After I thought about the dragons, I gripped the camera that's in my pocket, that picture that I've took of Sierra, is still on film. Maybe if I could show my parents that dragon, then they would know what happened to me.

I started to feel guilty thinking about it. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't want to expose her. I mean I thought she was dangerous, but it seems like she has been through a lot. And she doesn't want to tell me.

I put on an angry face. Well she has been treating me like dirt, ever since I've met her. She didn't give me respect at all, all she wants to do is treat me like I'm her minion. That isn't fair.

I kept on jogging. No, I don't need an excuse to stay here. There's probably a reason why Sierra was alone before we came to the city together, because she's so controlling! She doesn't think about anyone, but herself! Well I won't let her control me! If she doesn't care about what I want, then why should I care about her?

I turned the flashlight on, when everything was starting to get darker. Glad I still brought it with me from home. It really came in handy.

With the flashlight in my hand, I slowed my jogging to now walking. I walked for a long time, thinking I'll get off the mountains somehow. I can't stop now.

I walked and walked and walked until I came across a vast forest. I remember seeing that forest from up in the air in Sierra's paws. Before we arrived at the dragon city.

I just stood there, at the edge of the forest, my flashlight beam shining on the trees. This place kinda give me the creeps.

Then I shrugged and said out loud, "At this point, what have I got to lose?"

After I said that, I traversed into the forest, hoping I'll get out of there soon.

*****

I got up from my furs in my room, I was just tossing and turning in them, thinking about Wayne.

Maybe he didn't start the fight with that dragon today, maybe I was misjudging him. I mean he looked like he was telling the truth. Hell now that I think about it, he keeps telling me he's not evil at all. And he still seemed truthful.

I think I need to apologize to him. Maybe I'll earn some trust from him, if I apologized to him. Maybe he'll even start trusting me.

I know I don't know him all that much, I thought he was some meddling human who just wondered in my cave one night. Apparently he's more trouble than he's worth.

Of course I've never planned on coming back to this city for years, not after what happened to Eric, until Wayne came in the picture.

I still wonder to myself, if I don't trust him that much, then why didn't I kill him before? Because I've made a lot of mistakes back then and I thought killing him would be another one.

He seems to be a kind human to me, I mean back in my cave, while we were eating, we've started to talk to each other. I mean I haven't had company for a long time. Not even from a human.

He even touched me, like I was his friend. He didn't hesitate at all. Of course I was against it at first, but I've let him.

I think maybe I'm wrong about him. And I've been lying to everyone in this city that he's my minion. But I basically kidnapped him because I didn't trust him. Not to mention I've treated him like shit ever since we came here. Actually I've been treating him like shit, ever since he first met me.

I had a determined look on my face and took a deep breath and let it out. I need to make it right. He's a human I know it that much. But he...Reminds me of Eric. I shouldn't treat him this way.

He's mad at me, but I could understand why. It's my fault. But now I'll make it right.

I walked into the big hallway in the motel and found his room. I went through the opening and saw the furs in the middle of the room.

I gasped when I realized that he's gone. No Wayne.

I growled and stomped my paw to the ground in anger. THAT SON OF A BITCH!

Then I whirled around and trotted angrily out of the room.

*****

I jumped over a big log in the creepy forest. And kept on walking. The flashlight beam showing me a way through the darkness.

I shivered when I became so nervous. God this place is creepy. But I can't let the fear stop me, I'm going through with this and that's final!

I kept on walking, looking around at all the creepy trees in this forest. The flashlight beam showing the ground.

Somewhere in this part of the forest, I could hear a owl hooting. Well I wish I could talk to the owl, it'll probably show me a way out of this place.

I gripped on my arm that held the flashlight nervously. Gripping it tight and rubbing it.

I can't help but think that maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I should turn back.

Before I could walk any further, I hear a different noise in the distance that stopped my in my tracks. I've listened.

I could hear a wolf howling in the distance. Then another one.

I shivered once more. Wolves? There are wolves here? You've got to be shitting me!?

I walked taking fast strides and then just to calm my nerves, I started to sing the only song I could think of in a place like this.

I started to sing 'Like a Rolling Stone' by Bob Dylan.

I sang, "Once upon a time you dressed so fine, threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?"

"People call say beware doll, you're bound to fall, you thought they were all, kidding you."

"You used to, laugh about. Everybody that was hanging out!"

"Now you don't, talk so loud! Now you don't seem so proud!"

"About having to scrounging, for your next meal!!!"

"How does it feel? How does it feel? To be without a home! With no direction home! Like a complete unknown! Like a Rolling Stone!"

Before I could sing another verse, the howling started again. This time it was so close, my blood went cold and my pulse started racing.

That's when I stopped when I heard something growling. And it's behind me! I whirled around and gasped. A wolf was right there, baring its fangs.

I backed slowly away from it and then I saw another wolf come out of nowhere. Then I saw another wolf coming to my side as well.

Shit, they're everywhere. I need to think. I've got to get away from them. The wolves advanced toward me, baring fangs.

That's when a wolf jumped at right me and I dodged out of the way before it landed on me. I rolled to my right and then I got up fast off the ground and I started running.

I sprinted through the forest. I looked back for a second and saw that the wolves are after me. I looked straight ahead and kept running. I dodged a tree branch while I was running and still kept moving.

I tripped while I was running and fell to the ground. But it didn't take me long to get on my feet and keep running.

Come on Wayne, keep running! Don't look back!

That's when I saw a big hole in the base of one tree and I immediately ran to it. Hoping that maybe I could hide in there from the wolves. I got in front of the tree and got on my knees and crawled fast into the base of the tree.

I managed to get in there and I turned around in the tree, to look outside. I breathed heavily. Worn out from all the running. I've waited for a long time, hoping that it's over.

Curious if it is, I crawled to the opening, so I can peek outside. Before I could stick my head outside, one of the wolves tried to get me. I cried out in surprise and backed away from its jaws.

The wolf snapped its jaws repeatedly at me. Trying to kill me.

No! The wolf is going to get me! I'm trapped! There's no way out! I just looked at it in fear.

Another wolf joined in to try to get me as well, helping its friend out trying to dig into the dirt, trying to make the hole larger for them to get me.

Realizing I'm trapped I cried out, "HELP! HELP!"

The wolves didn't back down and kept on digging.

I tried again, "SOMEBODY HELP!"

One wolf barely had its whole body through there and its jaws actually snapped into my leg. I cried out in pain as it bit down hard into my leg, "Ahhhhh!"

I used my fist to bang against the wolfs head, trying to get it off, "Get off! Get off of me!"

That's when I heard a very loud roar and suddenly the wolf who got ahold of me let go of my leg as it got dragged away from me by something outside the tree.

I gasped and then I crawled out of the hole and looked out. I could see that three dragons in armor, also with them Sierra, are standing there ground against the wolves.

One wolf jumped at the red dragon and the dragon raised its paw and swiped at it while it jumped toward him and it hit the wolf hard. The force of the swipe hit the wolf so hard, it flew into a tree, heard its bones cracking and it died.

Sierra blew fire at another wolf and it caught on fire and the wolf yelped in pain, burning it to death until it finally died.

The big green dragon used it tail against another wolf, when the wolf attacked its tail. The tail smacked the wolf real hard and it flew about twenty feet and landed hard on the ground.

The rest of the wolf pack ran away in fear. Running away from the dragons.

I stared stunningly at them. They saved me! They really saved me!

I got out of the base of the tree and walked to them, limping a bit because of the wolf bite on my leg.

Sierra and the other dragons saw me as I limped to them. Sierra glared down at me and said, "What are you doing out here?"

I pleaded to them, "Guys, my leg, it hurts."

The red dragon who is her old friend had his face wide and looked at Sierra, "Your minion's hurt!"

Sierra closed her eyes and nodded, "Yeah, I see the bite mark. One of the wolves got to him."

I cried out in pain and said, "Guys."

The red dragon lowered his head to my level and said, "Hold on, I'll help you." That's when he straightened himself and then he unsheathed one of his claws and he made a cut on his arm. He hissed in pain.

I frowned at him, "What are you doing?"

The red dragon answered, "I'm going to use dragon blood on your wound."

My eyes went wide, "What?!"

Sierra said to me in a calm tone, "Don't worry, dragon blood has strong healing properties, it'll help your wound heal faster."

The red dragon smeared blood on his paw and then he brought his paw to my leg. I whimpered a bit. God that stings. The red dragon smeared his blood on my wound and when he was done he backed away from me. He said, "All done. Now you just have to give it time to heal."

I grew concerned for the red dragon, "But you just cut yourself! I mean, doesn't it hurt? You didn't have to do that."

The red dragon smiled down at me, "Never really thought that you've had a heart. And you don't have to worry, it's just a small cut. You however needed my help. Plus you're limping. I think it's better to make a small cut out of myself and help you heal, than letting your suffer from the bite from the damn wolf."

I grinned at the dragons looking down at me, "Thank you." And then I looked at Sierra and shot a glare at her, "And thank you as well."

She glared right back at me, "Don't mention it."

The red dragon looked at Sierra and said, "Well, lets get home. We've found your minion. But I've got to say, he has a heart."

She grinned at him, "Thanks." Then she turned her gaze and narrowed her eyes at me, "You, in my paws NOW."

I nodded. No point in arguing with her now. I almost got eaten by wolves! I'm sensing there's going to be a confrontation coming soon.

I got close to her and Sierra picked me up with her paws. As soon as I got comfortable, she flapped her wings and then along with the other dragons who came with her, took to the skies. To fly back to the city.

*****

My uncle came to me after I got back with Wayne and the other dragons. He confronted and started asking me what happened. I tried to answer him as best as I could.

My uncle raged, "What was he thinking? Why did he try to run away from you? Was he thinking at all?"

I shook my head at him, "I don't know why he tried to run away. I don't know what's going on through his head."

My uncle hissed at me, "Are you for certain, you're telling me the truth? Because I'm getting a feeling you're not telling me everything. You've told me that this human escaped from his kind because they were hunting him. But as of right now, I don't know anymore. Now who is this human? And you better answer me! I'm your uncle for ancestors sake!"

I closed my eyes and sighed, "You're right...I've been lying to you."

He narrowed his eyes and said, "I've figured there was something up with you two. Cause I saw you berating him this afternoon, while he was near the Braveheart. Now WHO is he?"

I shook my head, "I don't know him all that much. You want the truth? Wayne is just a meddling human who came into my cave one night and I caught him. I though he was with a group of dragon slayers or something like that, but now I don't know anymore. The reason why I've brought him here is...I don't trust him."

My uncle sneered, "But look at how you're treating him! Do you think that's why he tried to run away from here?!"

I answered, "It's not the first time he tried to escape from me. One night, while I was sleeping he snuck away from me, but I caught him and that's why he's here. I don't trust him. I'm afraid he's a killer."

My uncle waved his paw at me, "He hasn't done anything wrong! Ever since he came here, he hasn't done anything wrong, except for what happened tonight."

I shouted at him, "You don't know him!"

He shouted back, "And neither do you!"

I growled at him and I looked down at the ground. I muttered, "He's a liar, just like all the other humans. He has been playing my feelings from the very beginning. That's why I don't trust him. I wanted to kill him before, but for some reason I keep letting him live. I'm trying to trust him, but he keeps giving me a reason NOT to trust him."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Perhaps, the reason he keeps running away from you is, he doesn't trust you." He sighed and then he softened his look, "Let me ask you something, does Wayne remind you of someone?"

I nodded and then my uncle asked, "Is that why you didn't kill him?" I nodded again, and then he said, "Then you need to stop distrusting him and look past his looks. Look at him, deep inside him. If he reminds you of Eric, then you need to make it right. You need to stop treating him like he's your slave. If there's a reason why he's here, then try to make him happy."

After my uncle said that, he turned and walked off. Leaving me here alone.

I sighed. He's right. I have to stop judging him for being a human. That's why he keeps trying to escape me.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I have to make it right. I need to talk to him. But it won't be easy, since I still feel some anger towards him.

*****

I just sat down on the furs in my motel room. Thinking that a confrontation from Sierra is about to come.

I saw a shadow over me and I looked up to see Sierra glaring down at me.

I stood up on my feet and said, "Hello."

Sierra didn't waste any time and angrily asked, "What did you think you were doing?"

I yapped back at her, "You know what? I could ask you the same fucking thing."

Sierra shrugged her wings, "What do you want from me?"

I said, "Admit, that you were wrong about me and I'm right. That's what I want from you."

Sierra shot up her head, "Me, admit that I was wrong about you? Ha! I don't think so! You were the one who ran away tonight, so why should I?"

I shouted at her, "The only reason why I ran away is because I was angry at you. I wanted to go home."

She glared at me, flaring her wings, "Why? So that way you could tell your dragon slayer friends about where their enemy lives? No chance!"

I said, "What is your problem? You think that every human is trying to kill you, but I'm not, you're the only one who thinks so."

She growled at me, "And you think I'm falling for that trick? Screw you."

I raised my hands in frustration, "Oh my god. I'm tired of this shit. You are so unbearable, I can't stand it. You don't trust me, you accuse me of starting a fight here, and not to mention you kidnapped me from my home. What more do you want from me?"

She still glared at me, "I want your trust, and I don't want your lies."

I shouted at her, "I never lied to you! I would never have lied to you! What more do you want me to say!? You want me to admit that I was using your feelings from the very beginning?! That I've played your feelings?! Well guess what?! I wasn't! I was never playing you!"

She sneered at me, "You are a fool! You humans think that we're a bunch of emotionless monsters who just kill your kind just for the pleasure. I've never wanted that! Your kind always attacks me first!"

I sneered back at her, "But I wasn't planning to do that, what the hell do you want from me?! It's no wonder you don't have any friends! It's no wonder you're alone!"

Apparently that statement stunned her and she asked, "What the hell does that mean?"

"What it means is, is that you're always SO judgmental to everyone and everything! You blame everything on everyone but yourself! And you know what? You've tried to kill me before, why didn't you?! Why do want me to live?!"

She narrowed her eyes and growled, "You better be quiet."

I continued to shout at her, "You just think you're better than everyone else! Is that why you live in that cave alone?! Is that why your best friend didn't want to see you?! You know, your human friend! Cause I remember you told me that you've talked to another human before, years ago. Well is that why he left you?! Because you didn't trust him either?! Is that why you don't have any friends at all?!!"

Sierra finally snapped and shouted, "You're the one to talk human! You think that you know me because I'm a dragon! Well you don't! You have no idea what I've been through for so long! I've been so alone for years! And why?! Because you're not the one who lives with the guilt that you think it's your fault that your best friend died!!!

I gasped and she went on, "That you blame yourself for his death, that he died in the fire! The fire that has completely changed me! That changed me about how I feel about your kind! Everyone else in the city told me to let it go, but I didn't! That's why I was alone for years! That's why I lived in the cave alone! Why?! Because I went after the people who murdered him! But even after I killed the humans who killed him, it doesn't go away! I'm still haunted by his death and it's my fault! Your the one to talk human! That's why I don't trust you! In fact, that's why I didn't kill you before, because the guy who killed my friend was begging for mercy, and I didn't give him mercy! He was in your place that night, begging for his life! And truthfully, I thought you were just like my friend as well, but I guess that's just too much to ask!"

I took a step back, pretty stunned about everything she said, "Sierra...I...I didn't know-"

She shouted again, "You would never have known! I was the only one who has ever lived with the guilt! And it's my fault that my friend is dead! You don't know what it's like to be alone!"

I shouted, "No! You're wrong! I do know what it's like!"

That's when her eyes started to have tears and she's about to sob, "No Wayne, you don't know. You don't know the pain." Then she whirled around and ran out of the room.

I screamed for her, "Wait!" I ran after her, still limping because of the wolf bite on my leg.

She was already out of the big hallway in the motel and I still ran after her. I ran through the entrance of the motel and saw her walking in fast strides in the streets. I called out to her, "Sierra!" I jogged after her.

She kept on walking and then I ran in front of her, putting my hands to her chest, trying to get her to stop walking, "Sierra stop! Stop, stop, stop."

Finally she stopped. She hung her head down, but she tried not to look at me, "Wayne...Just let me go."

I pleaded to her, "Sierra, what's wrong? Talk to me."

She shook her head, "I don't want to talk anymore. Now let me go."

I shouted at her, "No Sierra!"

Her eyes went wide and I went on, "I'm tired of you not telling me everything! And I'm tired of you of treating me like I'm not your friend, but it's not true. I am. I...I'm trying to help you."

She shook her head again, "No you're not. You hate me."

I shook my head and put my hands to her chin, my face close to hers, "You're wrong, Sierra. You see, when I've gotten to know you back at home. Before we came here to this city. I've realized you weren't some scary monster after all. That you were...Different. You were just someone who was...Alone."

She was about to say something, "Wayne-"

I interrupted her, "Wayne nothing! I was wrong about you and you were wrong about me. We're both not that different. We both feel alone. Look Sierra, I may not be your friend, but I can be. But you have to at least trust me. I really want to help you."

Sierras tears started to fall down her cheeks, "Wayne-"

I interrupted her again, "Look I'm so sorry that I've tried to leave you twice! I didn't want to leave you, but....The point is I'm sorry! Really I am! But I won't leave you again. This time I want to help you! So please Sierra...Let me help you! Let me be your friend!"

She shook her head, "You just don't get it. I..." She trailed off.

I shook her face, trying to get her to answer, "What is it?! Talk to me!"

She sobbed and whispered, "I....I love him, Wayne."

My face went wide and I said, "What?"

Her lip quivered and she said, "I love him, Wayne. I love Eric. I've always loved him. And now...He's gone and it's my fault! I can't let him go. I'll never let him go!" Then she finally broke down in sobs.

I let go of her chin and backed away from her. My mouth agape. She was in LOVE with a human? Eric is that his name? I...I didn't know. That's why she said to me that it was personal before. Because she loves him. What have I done? I muttered, "Oh god...Sierra. I'm...I'm sorry."

She closed her eyes and said, "I need to go. This is all my fault, I've never should have brought you here." Then she trotted past me.

I whirled around to call out to her, "Sierra!" But she never stopped and just kept going.

I just stood there in the street watching her walk away until she was out of my sight.

Sierra...I'm....Sorry.

I never should have hated you. I should have tried to understand you more. This is my fault as well.