Night has come to the forest and me, Sierra, Cody, Neal, and Amanda are sitting around the fire that Neal has made. All of us explaining everything to Amanda, who is new to the group.

Amanda frowned at me, who is sitting across from me said, "So let me get this straight. Dragons really do exist?"

Neal cocked his head down at Amanda, "Isn't it obvious?"

Amanda looked up at Neal, "Well...Yeah! I mean I can't believe dragons really exist! And I've been talking to you guys for hours!"

I giggled, "Join the club, how did you think I've felt when I knew that dragons exist? I didn't want to believe my eyes either. Even when I first met Sierra, I didn't want to believe it!"

Sierra grinned at me, "Yes and I've scared you to death."

I grinned right back at Sierra, "More than scared, terrified!"

Sierra shrugged, "Still looked pretty scared to me."

Amanda frowned at me again and asked, "Wayne, how could you really talk to dragons without being afraid of them? They're...Scaring me."

I shrugged, "You just have to get used to them I guess. And don't be scared, they won't hurt you."

Then Neal added, "Not unless you give us a reason to hurt you."

I gestured at Neal, while looking at Amanda, "Exactly, so don't give them a reason. Quite frankly they're not so bad once you get to know them."

Cody grinned at Amanda, "Yeah! In fact, I'm lovable and I love to cuddle!"

Amanda rolled her eyes, "You look scary and you're full of scales, so how can you be lovable? In fact, how can you cuddle with me if you're full of scales? I mean, basically you're all a bunch of lizards."

Cody shot a glare at her, "For your information, we're dragons, not lizards!"

Amanda narrowed her eyes, "So what's the damn difference?"

Sierra answered before Cody did, "Cause lizards are cold blooded, dragons are warm blooded, that's the difference."

I said to Amanda, "Yeah and basically their scales are not rough, they're actually soft! You haven't touched any one of them yet?"

Amanda's face went wide, "Honestly, I was TOO scared to touch them Wayne! I mean they're dragons! They look freakin scary!"

Neal laughed, "I don't look THAT scary, don't I?"

I gave Amanda a comforting voice, "Amanda give the dragons a break, they haven't hurt you yet. And they never would. Besides they're really, REALLY nice."

Amanda took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Well...I suppose you're right. I mean, I just didn't know what to think of them."

I nodded, "I completely understand how you've felt. I was like you, but they're just like us at heart. They have a society, like humans do. And they speak in our language like we do."

Cody said, "Even though we have our own dragon language, the language you wouldn't understand, we can still talk like humans."

Amanda asked, "But how did you learn how to speak like humans? How's that possible?" Then she looked at me, "Wayne, did you teach them how to speak human?"

I laughed and shook my head, "Nope, I didn't have to, they knew how before I even met them. Apparently the dragons from way back then somehow knew our language and taught them how to talk like us."

Sierra nodded, "I was a hatchling when my parents taught me how to speak human, it was...Easy enough. I just need to find the voice to do it. And for years I've been speaking like a human."

Amanda put a hand to her forehead, "My head hurts now."

I giggled, "Too much information?"

Amanda muttered, "Well I think I'm in a hotel sleeping on a bed dreaming of all this. I must be dreaming."

Cody smiled, "Do you want me to pinch you?"

Amanda took her hand off her forehead and glared at Cody, "No."

Cody shrugged, "Oh well, I tried."

Amanda then asked Sierra, "So I'm just wondering, how long does your kind live for?"

Sierra answered, "A few hundred years, maybe more. I don't know the exact number to be honest. It depends on the dragon."

Amanda's face went wide, "A few hundred years?! Then how are you still alive?"

Neal lowered his head to Amanda's level and asked, "What do you mean, girl?"

Amanda shot a glare at Neal and put her hands to her hips, "First of all, don't call me girl!" Then she softened her gaze and said, "Second what I mean is...How are you still alive up to this day?" Then she glanced at me, "Wayne, you said that Sierra and Neal have been alive since the time when the knights and swords were around, right?"

I nodded, "Right and I'm surprised as you are. They're still alive up to this day and that timeline has been about over a thousand years ago!"

Neal nodded, "That's what Sierra told me. And I can't believe I'm a grandpa now!"

Sierra rolled her eyes, "And don't get me started on someone calling me old. I hate that!"

I giggled, and then Sierra glared at me, "Don't you even say it human, or I'll toss you in the trees!"

I shrugged, "Wouldn't want to step on your toes. I mean claws."

Cody waved a paw and said, "Well I haven't seen the knights and swords before. I must be the youngest dragon in the group. But my parents have seen it and Wayne said that everything's changed."

Amanda shrugged, "Right, so how are you guys STILL alive up to this day? How did you guys make it to the modern times?"

Neal put a claw to his chin and thought about it, "Good question. I think it's because of our ancestors keeping us alive."

Amanda frowned at Neal, "Huh?"

Neal shook his head, "You probably wouldn't understand it."

Sierra shrugged, "I wish I knew. I'm confused just like you are Amanda."

Amanda asked Sierra, "But do you still die one day? You know from being too old?"

Sierra nodded, "Yes, in fact I remember several elders who have died from being too old."

Amanda nodded in agreement, "Well ok, I guess that answers that question. But then how are you still alive up to this day? I mean you've been alive since a thousand years ago!"

Sierra shrugged, "Maybe more, who knows."

Amanda exclaimed, "Exactly! So how are you still alive?!"

I said, "Well...I don't know if it means anything, but...I think I've figured out how the dragons are still alive up to this day."

Everyone had their eyes on me, waiting for an answer. My face went wide and I laughed, "Wow guys, you're looking at me like I'm just the first human who came up with a theory about how dragons are still alive."

Sierra narrowed her eyes, "We are."

Cody shrugged, "Yeah, so tell us what you know."

I thought about it and said, "Well...I think it's because of the invisibility cloak that surrounds the city. The cloak that keeps your city hidden from the outside world."

Neal cocked his head, "I don't get it. What does the cloak have anything to do with how we're still alive up to this day?"

I looked at Neal and said, "Well according to Sierra's uncle he says that your ancestors made the cloak when the city was built, right?"

He frowned, "...Right?"

Then I looked at Sierra, "And there's definitely some magic on that cloak, right? That cloak has been around for thousands of years, right?"

Sierra nodded, "Right...What are you getting at?"

I went on, "Well I'm thinking that for some reason the cloak that's over the city is slowing down your aging. It's making you age a lot slower than normal."

Sierra and Neal's faces went wide. Then Neal said, "Really? How can you be so sure?"

I answered, "Well because a lot of you dragons stay in the city a lot. So I'm guessing the longer you stay there, the longer you age. I mean just ask Joanna, the owner of the Braveheart, she's old, but she has been around for a long time. She says she hardly ever leaves the city."

Sierra hummed, "Well I've been born and living in the city for a long time. Before I met Eric, I usually leave with my parents or just by myself away from the city. Now that I think about it, my uncle seems pretty old as well and I remember he looked...Kinda younger than before. And Joanna looks real old as well! I've remember seeing her when I was a hatchling."

Neal nodded, "Right and I've been living in the city for a long time as well."

That's when Sierra had a thought, "But wait, when Eric died, I've left the city and stayed in your forest Wayne for a long time. I didn't return to the city for a long time, so shouldn't I be dead by now?"

I said, "I'm guessing that even though you've left the city and didn't return for a long time. I think the magic from that cloak over the city is still affecting you. That's why you're still alive. I think it takes a certain amount of time for the cloak to work its magic. One day wouldn't count, not two days, but imagine more than three years at a time that you've lived in that city and you don't feel too old. That even after you leave the city, you still live longer. The magic is still affecting you right now."

Neal nodded, "Now it makes sense! The cloak is making us live longer!"

Sierra cocked her head, "I wonder if it'll do the same to a human? Make a human age slower than normal."

My face went wide. Wow...Not a lot of humans get to live to be a hundred, but god imagine if I've lived for over a hundred years, that would be awesome!

Cody cocked his head as well, "Yeah Wayne, wouldn't the magic work on a human as well?"

I shrugged, "Don't know really. But I'm sure I'm right about you guys age slower than normal. Dragons lived there for a long time and they don't die at the normal age. So I'm sure I'm right. Or they do die at a normal age and you haven't reached your a few hundred year mark in your body."

Sierra twisted her neck to pop it and said, "Well I'll admit Wayne, you're probably right. I mean, I have lived outside the city for a long time and I think the magic probably did its wonder on me. Of course I'll also admit, while I've stayed in that cave for years...I've felt some pain sometimes in my limbs. Like I'm getting old or something. Perhaps I should have stayed in the city."

I laughed and pointed at Sierra, "I knew it! You are old!"

She rolled her eyes and said, "Don't care anymore, Wayne." Then all of us, including Amanda laughed.

Neal grinned at Sierra, "Well that means you're older than me, girl."

Sierra shot a glare at Neal, "Shut up, Neal."

Amanda said, "Wow Wayne, I've never knew you were that smart."

I shrugged, "It wasn't that hard to figure it out. Of course I could be wrong."

Sierra shook her head, "I don't think you're wrong Wayne. I think you're right."

I smiled at her, "Well I guess if you weren't still alive, I wouldn't have met you."

Sierra smiled back, "Well still thank the ancestors that I've lived THIS long to meet you as well."

Amanda smiled at me and Sierra, "You two seem close, are you?"

I nodded and said, "Yeah. Even though me and Sierra were on bad terms when we first met each other, but still...I'm glad I've met her."

Sierra nodded, "Me too."

Amanda said, "Well Sierra, you've kidnapped Wayne from his home and you took him to the dragon city. I don't see how that would make you guys friends."

I said to Amanda, "Well Sierra and Neal saved my life from a pack of wolves. And ever since then I've realized that Sierra wasn't the evil dragoness I've thought she was. You see she's been through a lot."

Amanda frowned, "Why? What happened?"

Sierra sighed and said, "I wouldn't care if you say it's wrong or not, but...I fell in love with a human before. So many years before you and Wayne were born. He died and I thought it was my fault that he died. It's...Complicated."

Amanda's face went wide, "Wow...You were in love with a human? That's...Odd."

Sierra shook her head, "Like I said don't care."

Neal shrugged, "Yeah, I wouldn't care either. I don't see the problem with it. Eric was pretty much a pal to me. And he's like a dragon as well. Strong, proud, and wise."

Amanda asked, "Eric? Is that the humans name?"

Sierra nodded.

I nodded as well, "I'm a human too, and I don't seem to mind how she felt toward Eric. I don't find it disgusting at all. In fact, I also think they would have made a good couple. Of course when she me told that, I was shocked but I didn't care. A person's feelings are suppose to be shared with someone you love, no matter what he looked like. A dragon or a human. Doesn't matter which is it."

Sierra smiled at me, "Awww. You know Eric would have liked you as well."

I said to Amanda, "You see the reason why I didn't go back home is, because I wanted to stay with Sierra. She...Needed me."

Amanda frowned, "Is it...Because?"

I said, "It's because I remind her of Eric. I...Seem to have some things in common with him."

Sierra said, "Wayne's kind, caring, and innocent. Just like Eric."

Amanda looked up at Sierra and said, "You really care about Wayne, don't you?"

Sierra nodded, "Yes...I would help him, like he would have helped me."

Amanda let out a yawn and stretched her arms, "Well I'm tired now." Then she got up on her feet and said, "I guess I could sleep in the woods with you guys. Then I'll get back to hitchhiking."

Neal cocked his head, "Amanda...You said that you don't have a home. Where would you go?"

Amanda shrugged, "I was planning to go to California. To Los Angeles. Just to start a new life for myself."

I said, "Yeah, you still didn't tell us why you've ran away from Montana, what happened?"

Amanda just looked down at the ground, "It's...Complicated."

I asked, "Well...Since you don't have anywhere else to go...Would you want to come with us back to the dragon city?"

Amanda frowned, "Wait? Are you serious?"

I nodded, "Yeah, you can ride with me on Sierra's back and then we'll fly back to the city. Trust me, that place is beautiful."

Amanda's face went wide, "Fly? Fly on a dragon's back? ....I...I don't know."

Sierra grinned down at Amanda, "Don't worry Amanda, just tuck your legs on my body and hang on tight. Pure and simple."

Then she walked past Sierra and said, "Look, I'm going to bed now, goodnight. We'll see what happens tomorrow."

Neal said, "Hey wait!"

Amanda stopped in her tracks, "Yes?"

Neal smiled, "Well I think it's cold for a human to sleep alone tonight. I can let you sleep by me, if you want. I'm warm."

Amanda's eyes widened, "Uh...Really?"

Neal nodded, "Sure! I wouldn't mind it."

Amanda thought about it and then she looked at me. I said, "It's ok, Amanda. He's right, dragons are pretty warm. I've slept close to Sierra more than once."

Amanda looked at me for another moment, then at Sierra. She began to nod after that, "Well...Alright. I guess I can sleep by Neal."

Cody pouted, "You don't want to sleep by me?"

Amanda glared at him, "Go fly into a cliff, you horny lizard!"

Cody glared back, "I'm not a horny lizard!" Then all of us laughed. And Cody exclaimed, "You will be sleeping by with Neal! So wouldn't he be a horny lizard as well?!"

Neal laughed pretty hard at the statement, "Hey, the female's cute, but not THAT cute. Although I'll admit, she does have nice curves."

Amanda put her hands to her hips and narrowed her eyes at Neal, "You big pervert! That was uncalled for!"

Neal shot up his head, "So? Us drakes say that to ALL the females who have nice curves. I even said that to Sierra here."

Sierra rolled her eyes, "Right and I'll admit it was flattering. But I'm not in the mood to mate with males, all the time."

Neal put up a sad face, "Not even me?"

Sierra laughed, "Not even close. I know we've mated more than once, but you don't come close to the other males I've mated. They know how to do it better than you!"

His jaw dropped, "What?! That's not true! I'm the best male you could ever had!"

Sierra laughed again, "I know, I was only joking. The other males I was with didn't treat me well. They only liked me because of my body. Not very cool at all."

Amanda whirled around to face Sierra, "Sierra, can you help me kick Neal's ass for saying I have nice curves?"

Sierra grinned down at Amanda, "Tell you what, lets start a gender war together. Me and you against the males here!"

Amanda beamed, "Deal!" Then she and Sierra laughed.

Neal growled, "Wait a second! That's not fair! We've already started a gender war today Sierra! And you've backed out from it."

Sierra devilishly smiled, "I've changed my mind. Amanda's on the female team."

Neal rolled his eyes, "Whatever girl. Us males would still win."

Sierra narrowed her eyes, "We'll see."

Amanda narrowed her eyes at Neal as well, "Yeah we'll see. And if I had my way right now, I would kick you in the balls right now for being a big pervert!"

Neal's face went wide and he curled his tail around him and pleaded, "Please don't do that. Please don't kick my eggs!"

I gulped in laughter, "Oh my god, Neal! That's a good one!"

Amanda playfully giggled and said to me, "You better watch it too Wayne, or I'll kick YOUR eggs too."

My face went wide, "What did I ever do to you?"

Amanda answered, "For not standing up for me when Neal said that I've had nice curves! You just sat right there in that spot of yours! Seriously, what has your mother been teaching you?"

I grinned at her, "Being dirty I guess. Also you do have a nice butt."

Amanda glared at me, "Oh not you too. First the big red scaly pervert, now a regular short human pervert is saying I have a nice butt. Who's next?"

I shrugged, "Another big scaly pervert?"

Amanda laughed, "Well I'll kick him in the eggs as well!"

Sierra laughed as well, "I'll help you out on that!"

Cody looked at Amanda with pleading eyes, "Could you not kick my eggs too, Amanda? I haven't had a first mating with a female yet."

Amanda pointed at Cody, "You behave like a gentleman and I won't."

Cody let out a sigh and smiled, "Ok then!"

Neal exclaimed, "Young dragon, are you kidding me?! You've just turned your back on the males in the gender war!"

Cody shook his head, "I don't want Amanda to kick my eggs! I want to mate first before she could do that! I want to have hatchlings too you know."

Neal glared at Cody, "That's it! You're out of the male team, traitor!"

I laughed and got up on my feet and said, "Well I'm tired too. Lets all get some sleep." I walked near Sierra and patted her neck, "You tired too old lady?"

Sierra groaned and rolled her eyes, "You know what Wayne, one day YOU will be old too. So I'll call YOU old man when the time comes. Then we'll see who's OLD!"

I laughed, "Then that would make us even?"

Sierra lowered her head to my level and licked my nose, "Yep, that would make us even." Then me and her giggled.

I saw Amanda staring at me and Sierra and I asked, "What?"

Amanda shook her head, "Nothing. I...Never seen anything quite like this."

I frowned, "What?"

Amanda said, "A human being so close to something that wasn't suppose to exist. It's...Pretty cute and odd." Then she smiled, "You know the dragons you've made friends with, they're not what I'm expecting. They really are like us."

I smiled, "Well wait till you see the dragon city. Then you'll see how much they're like us. They have stores and restaurants just like we do!"

Amanda tilted her head, "Really? Wow, you dragons really are smarter than I've thought."

Sierra grinned, "Do we look stupid to you?"

Amanda shook her head, "No...You really are smart." Then she had a sad look on her face.

Sierra had a concerned look, "What's wrong?"

Amanda shook her head again, "Nothing...You...Kinda remind me of my mom."

Sierra's face went wide, "Oh...Really?"

Amanda nodded and then she yawned, "Look maybe I'll tell you about her later. But right now I want to go to bed." She whirled around and walked up to Neal and he lifted his leg to let her sleep by him. She crawled until she was real close to Neal and he covered her with his leg.

Amanda leaned her back on Neal's chest and said, "Wow...You really are warm. I can actually hear your heart beating."

Neal smiled down at her, "I do have a heart as well."

Amanda then had an angry look and said, "Just don't do anything weird, you big scaly pervert."

He giggled, "Of course." Then Amanda finally settled down by laying her back against his chest and he curled his neck around Amanda. Very contempt now.

I smiled at the scene, "Does this remind you of anyone?"

Sierra nodded, "Me and Eric. We've always slept like that together."

I gave her a look, "I was thinking about us. You know sleeping like that."

Sierra's face went wide and nodded, "Oh yes! That too!"

I giggled and petted her neck some more, "You're cute when you're flustered, you know that?"

Sierra giggled again and then it looked like she had something on her mind. Like there was something she wanted to tell me.

I asked, "Hey...Is there something you want to tell me?"

Sierra shook her head, "...No."

I could tell she's hiding something and she doesn't want to tell me. But what? I didn't press her about it and I've just let it go for now.

Cody yawned and stretched his wings and legs, "Well I'm sleeping too...Goodnight." Then he curled around on the ground and closed his eyes.

Sierra laid down on her belly and I got in front of her and laid my back against her chest. Her legs covering me and then she laid her head close to me.

I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

*****

I'm in Denver, walking all the way to Joanna's house. Hoping I'll talk to her today.

I had a big smile on my face. I can't wait to make her some chicken soup today. It's always her favorite.

I made it to her house, walked on her porch and knocked on the front door.

No answer.

Hmm, what gives? I know she's expecting me. I tried the doorknob and the door opened. Well at least the door's not locked. I opened it all the way and went inside.

When I went inside, I closed the door behind me. After I closed the door, I turned around and gasped.

I saw Joanna on the ground and she's not breathing!

I screamed, "Joanna!" Then I ran to her body and kneeled down next to her and I grabbed her shoulders and tried to shake her awake, "Joanna! Joanna! Open your eyes!"

That's when I realized that she wasn't moving or breathing. She really is dead.

I shook my head. My tears forming. No....

I got up on my feet and backed away from her. Then I ran to the telephone and tried to dial 911. But before I could dial the number, I heard a voice behind me, "YOU." I gasped and whirled around.

Joanna was half decayed from being dead and she was on her feet, pointing an accusing finger at me.

She rasped, "YOU! You did this to me! You didn't save me! You've killed me! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!"

I shook my head and kept saying to myself, "No! No! NO!!!!!"

Then I woke up with a gasp. And I breathed heavily.

I finally calmed down when I began to realize that it was just a dream. A nightmare.

I was still in Sierra's paws and I looked at her and saw that my gasp haven't woke her up.

I sighed. Joanna...

Slowly I moved Sierra's paws off of me and got up on my feet. Don't want to wake her up. I...Need to be alone.

I walked away from Sierra and the others. Went further in the woods during the night. The full moon was the only light that I've needed to see where I'm going.

Until I was sure that I was far away from the others. I stopped near a tree. I leaned myself against the tree, put my hand to my eyes and started to cry. Still worked up about the nightmare.

Joanna...I didn't save you. I didn't do anything.

You're dead and it's because of me. I didn't try anything.

I didn't try harder to take you to the doctor. And now you've been dead for two years and it's my fault.

I can't let it go. I can't let you go. I'll never let you go....

While I was crying, I heard Sierra's voice behind me, "Wayne?"

I moved my hand away from my eyes and peered over my shoulder to se her behind me. With a concerned look on her face.

I sniffed and asked, "What do you want?"

Sierra walked closer to me and answered, "Trying to find out what my favorite human is crying about?" She sat down on her haunches beside me. She reached out her paw and pulled me closer to her and said, "C'mon tell me, what's wrong?"

I asked, "How did you know I was gone?"

Sierra said, "I've heard you walking away from us and then I got up and followed you. Now answer my question, what happened? And why are you crying?"

I looked away from her, "Nothing. I'm...Fine." I sniffed again.

She shook her head, "No you're not. Now what's wrong? Please Wayne, let me help you."

I took a deep breath and while my throat was tightening I said, "It's my fault. It's ALL my fault."

Sierra cocked her head, "What are you talking about?"

"Joanna's dead and it's my fault."

Sierra's face went wide, "Wait? The human Joanna?"

I shook her paw off of me and snarled, "Of course the human Joanna!!!"

Sierra narrowed her eyes at me, "Wayne, calm down."

I stood in front of her and screamed, "Calm down?! I can't calm down! I can't let it go! I can't! She's dead and it's my fault!!"

Sierra pressed me, "What are you talking about? Why won't you just tell me?! You've kept whatever happened inside you and you're still bothered by it. I've seen it more than once. Look just...Let it out and tell me! You've helped me, now let me help you! Please Wayne, tell me!!"

I shouted, "I'VE KILLED HER!!!!"

Her face went wide, "What?"

I sniffled again, "I've got her killed and it's my fault. I didn't save her. I didn't try anything." Then I buried my face in my hands and started sobbing.

Sierra lowered her head to my level and said in a soothing voice, "It's not your fault."

My voice was muffled by my hands when I said, "But it is."

She shook her head, "No, it's not. You love Joanna, you would have never killed her."

I removed my hands and shouted, "You don't get it!!!"

She shouted back, "Then tell me what I don't get! What is it I don't get?!"

I breathed heavily and said, "Two years ago, my mother figure, Joanna Stanton died and it's my fault. But I never told you why."

I took a deep breath and said, "Joanna was dying. And I saw it. But I never did anything."

She cocked her head, and I went on, "Joanna was coughing for months, thinking that she would be feeling better. But she wasn't getting any better. She was still coughing. She never got better."

I sighed, "I tried to get her to the doctor, but she said that she would be fine, and...I've listened to her. But I also knew that she's not. I didn't follow my gut and took her to the doctor myself, even if I've made her go."

My throat was tightening again, "She has been getting worse, day by day. And I was sending the demo cd to the record station, knowing that me and my band would have got accepted and we would have been famous."

"But....But one day when I got to Joanna's house, she was...Gone. I've found her dead sitting in her chair and she was already gone!"

Sierra's face went wide, and I said, "Turns out I was right that there was something wrong with her, but I didn't save her! It...It turns out that Joanna had cancer, lung cancer because of all the smokes that she has been having, she didn't even try to get help! She didn't let me help her and I didn't try hard enough!"

I took a deep breath again and went on, "After her funeral, I didn't go to the record station when I got the call from them. I quit the band and I became depressed for awhile. I went to get therapy, but it didn't help! It doesn't go away! The guilt has been following me for TWO years! I know you didn't kill Eric and it's not your fault, but this is different for me! Because it is my fault!! I've got her killed and it's my fault!!!"

I shouted, "Joanna's DEAD!! She's dead! I didn't save her! I didn't do anything!!!"

My voice trembled and I said, "She's dead, Sierra. And she's not coming back and she knows it's my fault. Why? Because I've saw her in my dream, and she said that it was my fault! And...It's true...It's my fault." Then I looked down at my feet and cried again.

Sierra's face went from surprise to pity, and she got her head closer to me and said, "Wayne...It's not your fault."

Through sobs I said, "Yes...It is."

She shook her head, "No it's not. Wayne, you've never killed her. You never did. And you can't blame yourself for her death. Look I don't know why Joanna didn't want help, didn't want you to help her. But you didn't kill her. She loves you Wayne and it wasn't your fault. She would never hate you. And look I...Still feel bothered by Eric's death, but I won't let it get to me anymore. And you shouldn't let Joanna's death get to you either."

I looked at her and she said, "Stop beating yourself over it. And let it go! Let HER go Wayne. That's what she would want. It's what I would want. She would want you to be happy. Please Wayne, I know you're stronger than that. Don't stop believin', is that what she liked? That song? Well don't stop believing in yourself Wayne. You must believe. Believe in who you are, who you once were! You know you couldn't have killed her, and she knows it! It's not your fault."

I stared at her my lip quivering. Then I wrapped my arms around her neck and hugged her tight. I buried my face into her chest and sobbed real loud. Sierra comforting me with her paw on my back, rubbing it tenderly.

I sobbed for a long time. Still in her paw. My face still buried in her chest.

Sierra looked down at me and said, "Do...Do you feel better now?"

I sniffed and nodded, "Yeah...I...I think so." Then I looked up at her and said, "Sierra...How...How did you put up with the guilt? That you've thought it was your fault that Eric died."

Sierra shook her head, "I didn't put up with it, I've just let it get to me, but I can't anymore. You showed me to forget the past. To move on from it. To see what happens ahead. To see what my life holds up ahead. Eric would want me to do it. And I know you would want me to as well." Sierra put on a smile for me.

I smiled back and said, "I'll do it. Joanna would want me to do it. I...I've should have let it go a long time ago. But...I will now. For Joanna, for...For you." Then I buried my face into her chest again. Sierra's paw still stroking my back.

Then while she was comforting me, Sierra took a deep breath and said, "Wayne...There's...There's something I need to tell you."

I smiled while my face is still buried in her chest, "Yeah?"

Sierra gripped her paw on me and she hesitated, until she finally let it out, "I...I...I love you, Wayne."

I opened my eyes and my face went wide, I looked up at her and she just looked down at me. Sierra moved her paw off of me and I backed away from her. Still stunned by what she just said. I asked, "What...What did you say?"

Sierra smiled, "I..I love you, Wayne."

I just stared at her, still stunned. I could tell by the way she's looking at me and by the sound of her voice, she wasn't saying it like she's my friend. She's saying it with a different meaning. Like a lover.

I tried to speak, but I couldn't,  "I...I..."

That's what she wanted to tell me earlier tonight. She...Loved me.

Sierra had a worried look on her face and cocked her head, "Wayne?"

I shook my head and said, "I...I got to go." Then I walked in fast strides past her.

Sierra called out,"'Wayne wait!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned myself around. Sierra had a sad look on her face, her face saying that she wanted me. But...I can't.

She's a dragon...I...I can't do this.

I looked at her and muttered, "I'm...Sorry."

Sierra's face went wide and then she looked sad. I backed away from her slowly until finally I whirled around and kept walking.

I'm sorry, Sierra.

I'm so sorry.