I was snoring in my sleep, outside the cave, out on the meadow, and it's nighttime. The crickets were chirping.

I moaned in my sleep and then I opened my eyes, and rose my head off the grass. My vision finally became clear after I groggily woke myself up. I was dreaming again.

I let out a yawn, my tongue curling. I was dreaming about...My mother.

About that day when me and her were....Outside the dragon city. Out in the snow. Out in the forest.

That day...I couldn't forget it.

It still feels like it was yesterday, and I was a hatchling when that day happened.

I guess as long as you live, you wouldn't forget a day like that.

And I still have nightmares about it, and what's more worse than that day...Is another day, but a little different. Something else that has happened to me when I was already fully grown. So many long years have passed since mother was gone.

That what happened to me while I was in the dragon city one night, when I was walking all alone. It....

I shuddered at the thought. I can't forget that part of my life either. And it's even more worse than that day in the snow. And it has been over a thousand years since my mother was gone.

But I wish I have forgotten those parts of my life. They always...Frighten me. Especially that night alone in the city, when....IT happened to me.

Like would they happen to me again later on in my life? Sometimes that crosses my very sharp mind.

But on the bright side of what happened to me that night in the dragon city, after it happened. That's how I met my friends. How I met Sierra, most of all.

They actually...Wanted to help me that night. They actually wanted to make me feel better. They wanted to know what happened to me and why I was crying.

They found me crying near the fountain at the city and they actually didn't hesitate to help.

When I think about that bright side, no matter how horrible that night was compared to that day in the snow so many years ago, that's how I met my true friends.

Well...I...I wish I still had this certain friend who I haven't spoken to since the humans changed and forgotten about what dragons are really like. When they turned their backs on us.

I wish HE was still my friend. I wish he was still my friend up to this very day.

But...He's not. And I...Miss him.

I went to see him, but he never noticed I was watching him. He never knew that I was in the cover of the trees watching him alone.

All alone, and I was watching him.

But then I began to wonder, is it really him?

That human didn't really look like him. I know that humans age faster than dragons do. So....Perhaps he's getting old and he's changed.

Well...Not all of them age fast like they were suppose to. Because a few humans that I know haven't aged fast like they were supposed to.

The magic of the dragon city, has made their aging process slower. And they're still young. Because they stayed in the dragon city for a long time.

I guess he was right about it. That we dragons have lived for a VERY long time. Over a thousand years and we still haven't died.

The magic of the dragon city kept us alive and the humans that have stayed there haven't aged much either.

I closed my eyes and sighed. Sooner or later my best friend who I keep watching over will die from being old. And...There would be nothing I could do about it.

A tear fell down my face and I opened my eyes. I don't want him to die.

But what can I do? Talk to him just like before? He would just turn his back on me and call me a monster just like...Before.

Why? Why did you just change?

I thought you cared about me. Like I was your...Best friend.

You've always comforted me and we've always talked to each other. But now since it happened outside the city...We aren't speaking to each other.

Oh why did the whole humanity change in a heart beat? Don't we dragons matter to them?

Does my kind matter to them at all?

I sighed. I still care about you...My friend.

I wish you were just your old self and look at me, not as a monster. But as your friend.

The friend that I've grown to comfort and care for. The one who says the nicest things. And he has always comforted and cared for me.

I still remember the day we first met, and that was....Years ago.

Years ago, when humanity and dragons were together as one. As friends, and allies.

I miss those days. That my kind would accept humanity and not feel threatened by them.

But now these days, we're back to the way things were before. Like it always happened.

Like the dragon slayers and the knights from back then, now the humans in the modern days calls us monsters.

And now it's bullshit.

I looked up at the night sky, at the stars. My friends and my only family that I have left, on my mind.

They're all in the dragon city, just...Waiting for me to come home as usual.

I'll come back home maybe the day after tomorrow. But I...Probably want to see my old friend again.

If only I could talk to that human just like before. I sighed again.

Don't Stop Believin'.

That's what one of my friends told me before.

Don't Stop Belevin'.

Well if it's possible that me and my friend will be together again one day, just like before, then I won't stop believing. Whether he's old or young, we'll be friends like we were before.

I slowly formed a smile on my face. I won't stop believing.

I won't.

I sang softly to the sky, "Just a small town girl. Living in a lonely world. You took the midnight train, going anywhere."

I could never forget that human song.

I sang to the end of that song, "Don't stop believin'. Hold on to that feeling. Streetlight, people."

"Don't stop believin'. Hold on. Streetlight, people."

"Don't stop belieivn'. Hold on to that feeling. Streetlight, people."

"Don't stop."

After that was done, I let out a whoosh of air. A smile still on my face. I know we'll be friends again.

I know we will.

*****

About a few hours later, after I got back home from singing at the bar. Mom and Gerry have finally went off to bed together. After they did, I found my bag and started packing my things.

I packed up my bag with all my clothes, then I found a photo of me and my mom and dad. Before dad died. I placed the photo in the bag and zipped it. I lifted over my shoulder and carried it. There, now I can get out of here.

I sighed to myself as I walked to the window. I can jump out of the window from up here. I know that I'm on the second floor, but it's not far of a drop.

I can do this.

I opened up the window and the cooler air went rushing in my room. Okay, here I go.

But I was pretty hesitant before I went out the window. I looked back at my bedroom door. Thinking about mom.

I sighed with a sad and pity look. I'm sorry mom.

I wish I could help you, but you won't listen to me.  I...Wish you came with me.

We could both just run away together. We could go wherever we want.

But you'd just stop me, you wouldn't accept that Gerry's bad and you would not leave also.

I put on a glare. Well I'm done with all that.

I'm sorry, mom. But this is your choice.

My choice is that I'm leaving. I can't live like this anymore.

I...I love you. And...I hope you understand why I ran away.

I hope you do.

I looked out the window and then I tossed my bag outside. It landed softly on the grass. Alright, now it's my turn to get outside.

Here I go.

I grabbed the sides of the window, lifted myself off the floor, and I got both my feet through it. Now I just sat down on the window, getting ready to jump down to the ground outside. I took a deep breath and I dropped down.

I let out a grunt and landed hard on my feet. Then I just fell to my hands and knees, after the impact of the landing. Didn't break any bone at all.

I let out a whoosh of air. Yes! I made it!

I got up on my feet and grabbed the bag off the grass. I took a last glance at my house and said to it, "Goodbye." And with that, I walked away from it. Ready to leave this town.

And ready to start a new life.

A new life for myself.

Goodbye...Mother.

*****

I walked on the side of the highway, outside Leon.  My bag over my shoulder. I kept walking without looking back. There were hardly any cars driving around. After all it's nighttime. Who would want to drive in a night like this?

Part of me inside thinks this is crazy and you should go back home.

But I can't...I'm done living this way.

I don't like Gerry. No, more than that, I HATE him.

Gerry can just go to hell, and mom....I hope she has come to her senses and leave him.

I know I'm just a bad kid for abandoning my mother to him, but I can't take it no more.

I've tried my best, and I'm done with it.

It's her life and I have mine.

She won't listen to a word I say about Gerry, then I'm just DONE.

I could hear a car coming up on the highway, and I turned to it. I lifted my hitchhikers thumb and waited to see if the car would stop.

And it did. The car pulled over to the side of the highway. I walked up to it, up to the drivers side window.

The driver lowered the window and peeked out at me. My face went wide as a familiar face was driving  the car.

Jessie!

Jessie's driving?!

What's going on?

Jessie smiled with both of her hands on the steering wheel, "And what are you doing out here, stranger?" She winked at me and giggled.

I was still in shock and I asked her, "I...What are you doing out here during the night?" Then I frowned at her, "You going somewhere?"

Jessie's smile faded and she sighed, "Yeah."

"Why? Where are you going?"

Jessie said, "Look Brandon...I'm running away from home."

I just stared at her, didn't actually believed it at first, "What?"

Jessie narrowed her eyes and playfully said to me, "You heard me."

I just shrugged, "Why? What for?"

Jessie looked at the windshield, away from my gaze and she said, "Lets just say, I'm tired of living the way my life has been. I...Don't like it and it's annoying." She looked at me, "Let me guess, you're running away too?"

I nodded and grinned, "Pretty much figured it out, huh?"

She nodded and smirked, "I guess so." Then she pressed one of the buttons to unlock to passenger side door. She beckoned me, "Well come on get in here. Before our parents find out that we both ran away."

I nodded and ran to the other side of the car, to the passenger side. I opened the door and got in the car beside her. I slammed the door after  that and I looked at her. I asked, "So...Where are we going?"

Jessie was deep in thought and looked up at the ceiling, "I was thinking about going to...Maybe San Diego." Then she frowned and asked me, "You?"

I shook my head, "I don't care, just...Get me away from that town."

Jessie stared at me and muttered, "You really want to leave this town, do you? Something you want to talk about?"

I sighed and shook my head, "Maybe later." Then I motioned my hand to straight ahead, "Please, just...Drive."

Jessie looked a me for a few moments, until she put the car in gear and we drove straight back on the highway road.

To where we're off to in the night.

*****

I could hear birds chirping as I slept. Until finally, I moaned a bit and opened my eyes. I slowly got up in my seat that I was sleeping on and realized that it's morning. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.

The morning sun shining bright through the trees and I let out a yawn. I shook my head and I remembered that everything that happened to me wasn't a dream.

I ran away from home last night, along with Jessie.

Me and Jessie were on the highway for a long time, until she a found path for the car to drive off the highway. And she parked the car in the middle of the woods. Just to hide us from any state highway patrolmen who would drive around. Which I think it's a good idea anyways. So they wouldn't find us and take us home.

Me and Jessie slept in the car together last night, and now it's morning. Sleeping in the car didn't feel so bad.

I have to admit thought...Running away seems pretty thrilling to me, in a way. I never did anything like this before!

I giggled to myself. Talk about something I wouldn't forget for a lifetime.

I looked around in the car and saw that Jessie's not with me. I let out a small gasp. She's gone.

I looked out the window and saw that Jessie is just sitting on a log, all by herself. I let out a breath. Well at least she didn't leave me alone.

I opened the passenger side door and came out of the car. I walked away from the car and walked up to Jessie. I stretched out my arms as I walked toward her and said, "Hey, good morning."

Jessie looked over her shoulder and smiled, "Good morning to you too." She looked straight ahead after that.

I walked up beside her as she still sat on the log. I asked her without looking at her, "What are you doing?"

Jessie shrugged her shoulders as she still continued to stare ahead, "Just looking at the woods. At all the animals that are loose here."

I looked at her and asked, "Can I sit by you?"

She looked up at me and nodded, "Sure, why not?"

I smiled at her and then I found me a spot beside her on the log and sat down on it. Jessie sighed feeling content. I looked at her and asked, "You okay?"

She grinned and said, "Yeah I'm fine." She moved her head to look around in the woods, "Isn't this place beautiful?"

I looked around in the trees and the land around us. I nodded in agreement, "It is beautiful."

She giggled, "This place reminds me of the woods that I've went to when I was little. I mean, my father used to take me on trips with him to places like this. He always did like to travel."

I glanced at her and nodded, "Yeah."

She giggled again and nudged me with her elbow, "Yeah? Is that all you can say?"

I giggled a bit, "Well...I just don't know you all that much." Then I looked up at the trees, "And I still can't believe it happened."

Jessie looked at me and asked, "What?"

I gestured to us, "That we both ran away from home together. I have to say, even I'm surprised. Come to think of it, I've been surprised since last night." I shrugged my shoulders, "Talk about a thrill ride."

Jessie giggled and nodded, "Yeah, it's not everyday that two kids like us get to do something so drastic and thrilling." She put up a little smile, "I like it already."

I sighed and then I asked, "So...Why did you run away from home anyways?"

She looked at me, "I think I told you why. I'm tired of living the life I was living in. I...Sometimes hate it, and it's annoying."

I don't think she was telling me everything, not since last night. I said, "You still didn't tell me why."

She sighed and had a glum look, "It's complicated."

I frowned at her. I don't know what she was getting at. But when she said it's complicated, I was thinking that living the life of a rich girl can be annoying and complicated. That's what she means by that.

I wouldn't know what she goes through, I'm not even rich.

But no need to press her about it. I think she said enough.

Jessie interrupted my thoughts and said, "Well I know why you ran away last night and you know I'm still sorry for what you went through."

I sighed and said, "...Thank you." I looked at her, "I know I should've told you this before while we were at the bar. But...I didn't know what to tell you."

Jessie shrugged her shoulders, "Well how can you tell someone that? It's not exactly the kind of thing you...Tell someone."

I nodded and muttered, "No kidding."

She groaned a bit, "But still, I feel kinda bad for your mom." Then she nodded, "But I understand that we can't go to the cops, because Gerry is good at covering up stuff. And I know that your mom won't put him in jail."

I huffed, "Well now you understand why I ran away like you. I'm just tired of it."

Jessie nodded and laid her head on my shoulder, "We're both tired of our lives. And we both want some excitement. We both want to just get away. Start our own lives. Get away from everything."

I was kinda surprised that she laid her head on my shoulder. And so, for being the good person that I am, I wrapped my arm around her. And we both just sat there, watching the wilderness together.

We we're both like this off a while and she moved her head off my shoulder and she looked at me. She asked, "So what are you going to do now? Since you ran away from home." She gave me a smug grin, "I'm still planning on going to San Diego."

I looked at her and removed my arm off of her, "I wouldn't mind going with you. I never been there before."

Jessie said, "Well maybe when we get there, maybe you could get a band and just be a lead singer."

I frowned, "How am I supposed to do that? I don't know anyone who plays an instrument. Where can I get bandmates?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. At least hope for a miracle, I guess."

I sighed and looked ahead, "Yeah."

She got up from the log and walked back to her car. I got up as well to follow her. I looked at her at the way she walked.

I smiled at her as she walked away from me. I can't believe it.

Of all the girls in the world that I'm running away with. I'm running away with the girl that I like.

I wonder if we'll...Be together that way in time.

I wonder....

She interrupted my day dream, by shouting, "Damn it!"

I shook my head and saw her at the drivers seat. I walked up to her and asked with concern, "Something wrong?"

Jessie sighed and growled in frustration, "The car's out of gas."

My eyes went wide, "Out of gas?"

She nodded her voice sounded frustrated, "Yes." She slammed her hand on the car horn, "I forgot to go to the gas station last night before I left town." She closed her eyes and sighed, "Now one of us have to go to a nearby gas station and get gas."

I shrugged my arms, "How?"

She looked at me, "I have a gas container in the trunk. So one of us we'll go and get gas." She put some thought into it, "I think last night before we drove in the woods, I saw a sign that said a gas station is not far from here."

Jessie got out of the car and said to me, "Brandon, I want you to stay here with the car just in case. I don't want some weirdo wondering in the woods and find it while we're gone."

Honestly...I'm wondering if letting her go off on her own is a good idea.

But then again, letting her stay here all alone is probably not the best idea either. So...I guess I could just wait here for her.

I nodded as she already went to open her trunk and get the gas container out. She slammed the trunk shut and came back to me. I said to her, "I think that's a good idea. I'll wait here, until you come back."

Jessie smiled at me, "Good. Then we'll spend the rest of the day here together and drive off tomorrow. Sound good?"

I grinned and teased her, "You can't get enough of the woods here, can you?"

She shook her head, "Nope." She giggled.

I shrugged, "Oh I can handle staying here with you for another day. I like this place. Pretty peaceful."

Jessie then gave me a kiss on the cheek and winked at me, "Thank you. You...Really are sweet."

I blushed a bit and said to her, "You're welcome."

Jessie sighed and walked off, carrying the gas can in one hand. She hollered while without looking at me, "I'll be back later!" She kept walking after that, leaving me alone in the woods. Leaving me to watch over her car.

I sighed to myself. Well...Now I'm stuck here.

Hope I don't get bored here.

*****

I stood in the cover of the trees. My appearance hidden by them.

I was just standing there, watching over the house.

The house...Of my best friend.

This morning after I woke up and had something to eat, I took to the skies and flew all the way to his house. And for about maybe a few hours already, I was watching it. Seeing if I could see him outside.

Even up to this day that house still looks nice.

When we were friends, I've been to his house more than once. He said that house was his mother's.

Ancestors, after for who knows how long since I've talked to him, it's still there. Looking like a beautiful house in the woods as usual.

I haven't seen my best friend outside yet. But then again, what can I gain from this?

I'm just stalking him from the woods, thinking that he would holler for my name. To call out to me and say that I'm sorry for turning my back on you. That I'm sorry for calling you a monster.

I wish you did a long time ago. I...I really miss you.

About a few minutes later, I could see a human walking out of his house. He...Looked like an old man.

White hair on top of his head, a bit slow at walking. He...Looks old.

I can't even tell if it's really my best friend or not. I can't tell from where I'm standing. I can't see his face.

But I've seen this guy more than once, so it must be him. He must be my best friend.

I can feel it in my wings.

As I stared at the old human, he went to the barn that's by his house.

I still remember how old my friend was when I first met him. He said he was about...Twenty years old when we first met.

Is he really old now? How long has it been since we've last spoke to each other?

Was it really a long time ago?

Tears were welled up in my eyes now. Just looking at him really makes me cry. Oh...Ancestors.

I don't want you to grow old and die. We still have a lot of things to talk about. Things that I...Wanted to say to you.

Why did it have to be this way?

Why couldn't you just stay with me?

I cared about you and you called me a monster.

I know that you were scared and for a very weird mysterious reason, you've forgotten about me. But....I've never forgotten you.

Tommy.

Why did you fear and hate me, Tommy? I saw it in your eyes before this started. You cared about me.

The tears were falling down my face now. I closed my eyes and quietly sobbed. Tommy....

I can never forget you. We were...Very close.

I was closer to you than I was close to my friends back at the dragon city. Closer to you than to my last member of my family.

I can't let you go. No matter how much my friends tell me, I can't.

I know one day we'll be together again. I have to hope.

But when will that happen?

I opened my eyes, as I was done sobbing. I saw the old human who I assume is Tommy, enter his house and never came back out. I sighed unhappily. Another day for nothing.

Well...I better get back to Sierra's cave. I feel tired. Might as well take a nap and then go hunting before the day's over.

I whirled around on the house, no sense of looking at it now.

Tommy's not coming back out to holler for my name. He won't.

He never did, as long as I can remember.

I sighed again. I'm out of here.

I spread my wings and started flapping them, as I saw an opening over the woods. I flew up and took to the skies. Heading back to the cave.

*****

I sat down on the log for a long time. Still waiting for Jessie to come back. I started to whistle.

God...I wonder where that gas station is at? Wonder how far it is?

Because Jessie has been gone for a long time.

I sighed and bit down on a milky way bar. At least she left me a snack. I'm sure she won't mind if I eat it.

As I was eating it, my thoughts went to mom. I sighed again, just thinking about her.

Right now, I just feel guilty for leaving her alone with that bastard. Now I'm kinda having second thoughts.

Mom...

I shook my head. No, don't even think about going back home.

Gerry never cared about me and mom won't listen to me about him.

No need to go back to all the freakin drama. Not worth it. Not worth it at all.

I groaned a bit. Boredom settling in. I tapped my hands playfully on the log.

What to do? What to do?

Hmmmm.....

Then a thought popped up and I said to myself in a whisper, "I know how to make it productive."

I'll just sing at the woods. Just to kill the time. I'm sure time will fly by faster when I'm singing and Jessie will be back soon.

I stood up from the log and I cleared my throat. Guess, I'll give the critters here a show of their life.

Might as well, since I'm just stuck here, right now.

I took a deep breath and let it out. I know what to sing right now.

'High on You' by Survivor. My favorite band.

Well here I go.

I closed my eyes and hummed the song's music.

Finally when the time to sing came, I opened my eyes and sang loud, my voice echoing in the woods, "There you stood, that'll teach her! To look so good and feel so right!" I pointed at a squirrel on top of a tree branch, "Let me tell you about, the girl I met last night!"

I let my arm drop to the side, "It's understood, I had to reach her! I let the wheel of fortune spin! I touched your hand before the crowd started crashing in!"

*****

I glided down to the ground and landed on my feet hard. My wings curling behind me. I sighed. Well that felt like a long flight.

Now I just need to get back to that cave. I feel exhausted.

I started to pad my way on a trail in the forest. Taking my path as usual.

While I was walking, I could hear something in the distance.

I stopped in my tracks and listened. My eyes went wide. Someone's singing, in the woods!

"There you stood, that'll teach her! To look so good and feel so right! Let me tell you about, the girl I met last night!"

I cocked my head at the voice. It doesn't sound too far away from here. I heard the voice again, "It's understood, I had to reach her! I let the wheel of fortune spin! I touched your hand before the crowd started crashing in!"

I started to follow the voice. I'm pretty curious about it.

Might as well check it out. He sounds loud!

As I padded through the bushes, I could hear the voice singing again, "Now I'm higher than a kite! I know I'm getting hooked on your love! Talking to myself, running in the heat! Begging for your touch! In the middle of the street!"

I could see him and he's not far now. He sang in the distance, "And I, I can't stop thinking about you girl!"

I walked to the voice, trying to get a better look at the person, while hiding in the woods. He sang, "I must be living in a fantasy world! I'm so high on you!"

I'm close enough now to get a good look at him. It is a human. A human male. And...He looks young. He still sang since he had his back turned, he doesn't see me in the trees, "Smart and coy, a little crazy! The kind of face that starts a fight! Let me tell you about, the girl I met last night!"

I sat down on my haunches, just watching him. He sang on, "Piercing eyes, like a raven! You seemed to share my secret sin! We were high before, the night started kicking in!"

I cocked my head at him, while he was shaking his body in rhythm, "Now I'm screaming in the night! I know I'm getting hooked on your love! Talking to myself, running in the heat! Begging for your touch! In the middle of the street!"

He shot up his hand fast and pulled it back it back down to his side, "And I, I can't stop thinking about you girl! I must be living in a fantasy world!"

He spun around once, he had his back turned on me again, "I've searched the whole world over! To find a heart so true! Such complete intoxication!" He raised his arm high in the air, "I'm high on you!"

He placed his arm to his side and sang some more, "There you stood, that'll teach her! To look so good and feel so right! Let me tell you about, the girl I met last night!"

He raised both his arms high in the air, as he sang, "Now I'm higher than a kite! I know I'm getting hooked on your love!" His arms dropped to the sides, "Talking to myself, running in the heat! Begging for your touch! In the middle of the street!"

He twirled around again, "And I, I can't stop thinking about you girl! I must be living in a fantasy world! I've searched a whole world over! to find a heart so true! Such complete intoxication! I'm high on you!"

He tapped his foot repeatedly and sang, "I'm high on you!"

"I'm high on you!"

He pointed at something up ahead, "I'm high on you!"

He slowly raised both his arms high in the air and sang it again, "I'm high on you!!!!" He let his arms dropped to his sides and he was breathing heavily.

It was over.

I smiled at him. Wow...That was...Pretty good.

The human whoever he is, walked to a nearby log and sat on it.

I haven't saw anything like that for a long time. And...He sings just like him. Just like one of my friends.  He sings good too.

I looked near the human and saw a car, then I looked back at him. Suddenly, I have a sudden urge to greet this human. I'm sure that-

I shook my head. Don't even think about it! He doesn't know you and you don't know him! He would be afraid of you and run away. Maybe tell other human about me and tell them where I'm staying. And THAT could be a real problem. They might kill me with their guns.

I sighed. I better get back to the cave before he sees me. Don't get involved in his life.

I whirled around and just walked back, thinking about hunting since I'm hungry now.

Then after that, I'll head back to the cave and take a long nap.

*****

I walked on a small dirt trail in the forest. Since boredom just got to me again.

It has been about an hour later after I sang High on You and I'm bored again.

So right now, I'm just walking just to kill more time waiting for Jessie to come back with the gas.

Where the hell is she? I thought she would be back by now.

I guess the gas station is further away when you're walking to it. No wonder people drive cars all the time. I giggled to myself at my own thought. I crack myself up sometimes.

I don't know how long I've been walking, I think I've lost track of the minutes. But hey, that's fine by me. As long as it kills the damn time, I don't care.

Besides...The woods are pretty peaceful here. Seems kinda quiet.

I guess me and mom should've had someone built a cabin for us out here. I like the woods. I don't go in them a lot.

I did remember all those times I've had with my dad. Me and him sometimes went in the woods together. Just like any father and son would. Just to bond.

I sighed and had a glum look on my face. I miss you, dad.

As I trotted in the thick woods still, I began to realize that I've lost track of where I was at. I glanced around the woods, trying to figure out where I'm at. Then I realized that I've walked off the trail while I was day dreaming about me and dad.

I had a freaked out look on my face. Shit! I'm lost!

I took a deep breath and let it out. Get a grip Brandon. you'll find your way back to the car. Just try to think, which direction you came from.

I tried to think of the direction and I went back to walking. Trying to find my way back to the car.

I walked for awhile, beginning to think I'm going the wrong way. I need to keep moving. Jessie might be back by now.

Which I hope she is!

I walked through the bushes and through a few low tree limbs. I brushed them out of my way and kept moving. I grunted when a tree branch hit my head. Damn it!

I went on walking some more. Not giving up now. I walked until I came across a cave in the distance. I frowned at it. Hmmm.

I walked up to the cave, curiosity getting to me. I stood in front of the cave now as I got close to it. Trying to stare through the mouth of it. The only thing I could see is darkness.

What am I doing? I need to get back to that car! But I wouldn't budge from where I'm standing.

Why do I feel like I need to go in there?

That's when that dream I've had more than once came to mind. The dream about me entering a cave and getting killed by a dragon.

I showed a serious look. Stop thinking about that dream! Dragons are not real.

You know what? I'll just go in there, just to prove to myself that there's nothing to worry about!

Yeah! I'll do that. It won't take long anyways.

And with an ounce of courage, I took very slow steps into the cave, darkness washing over me.

It felt just a bit cool in there, but it didn't bother me all that much. I walked deeper in the cave. Better remember how far I'm walking in there.

So far as I walked, I don't see any chambers with depictions of dragons on the walls. And no dragon trying to kill me.

I walked around the corner of the cave, until a couple of things caught my eye. I frowned at what I saw.

I could see a pile of furs laying on the floor and I could also see a big wooden shelf nearby.

I walked up to the pile of furs. What the? What is all this stuff? What's all this stuff doing here?

I bent down to pick up one of the furs. I smelled it and scrunched up my nose. Smells like someone laid on them.

I wonder....

Then behind me in the distance, I could hear something coming from around the corner. I dropped the fur and whirled around. Even though it's a little dark in here, I could see a big shadow coming.

I sucked in a sharp breath. What the hell's that?

I decided I need to hide and so I ran to the wooden shelf and hid behind it. Fear clawing at my chest, I was taking short trembling breaths.

Damn it, why did I just walk in here?

At the other side of the wooden shelf, I could hear footsteps. Sounds like whatever it is, it's big.

What is it? A bear?

I decided to peek around the corner and so I did. My eyes went wide in shock at what I saw. Oh my god.

It was big and tall than me. It's on four legs. Has black scales all over it. Wings on its back. Those horns sticking out on top of its head.

My god....A...Dragon!

That's impossible! Dragons can't be real!

Am...Am I dreaming? That's crazy!

The dragon turned its head and I hid back behind the shelf, before it could see me. I held my breath and just held myself still, hoping it didn't see me. I let out a breath. That was close. It didn't see me.

I peeked around the corner and saw it lay down on its stomach on the furs. Well I pretty much know it didn't see me.

Then realization hit me. Crap, now I'm stuck in here with that thing. I can't leave without that thing seeing me.

I'm stuck in a cave with a dragon!

What am I going to do?