After I woke up in the cave and realized that it's morning, I went to the lake nearby to get a drink. I'm thirsty today!

I lapped at the water with my tongue, savoring in the cool and refreshness of the water. I hummed to myself.

When I was done drinking, I walked away from the lake and stopped when I remembered the human from yesterday.

Hmmm, strange fellow walking in my woods. I mean he looks pretty young no doubt about it. Course he wouldn't stay young forever, humans age faster than we do. My kind live longer lives than they do. Hell we could live for a long time and we wouldn't know how long we lived to begin with.

I frowned when I remembered what he dressed like. His clothes looked different than before. I mean...His style of clothing is a lot different than what the humans wear before. They were a lot different. His clothes seem more...Cleaner. They don't look like...What knights would wear.

Apparently I must have lived longer than I thought. I think now this is a different timeline. In fact, why am I getting an odd feeling that there are no swords or arrows anymore? No wonder I've been thinking lately that things in this world have changed so much.

But I can say this, that human boy really can sing! He really has a nice voice. Maybe I should talk to him, after all I haven't had company in a while...

I shook my head. What am I thinking? I don't even know this human! For all I know he might be dangerous. Just because things have changed in this world, that doesn't mean that the human morals have changed. They view my kind as monsters, nothing more than that.

Well not all of them thought that way about me. There was...

I shook my head again. No! I won't give in to that temptation, there's a reason why I'm alone and it might as well stay that way.

While I was thinking about that human, my stomach rumbled. I sighed, hungry again.

I'm going to live my day like it's a normal one. Not going to dwell on that boy. I flapped my wings hard and they took me to the skies.

*****

I went to town this morning. Just heading into the supermarket to get what I needed for my plan tonight. To expose the dragon to the world.

But before I could head back into that cave tonight, I needed a few things. One, I needed a flashlight so I can see in the dark. Don't want to walk in the woods in the dark, might as well see where I'm going. Two, since I have a camera, I needed film to take pictures. Three, I need a knife or some kind of weapon in case I need to defend myself.

I found a flashlight and it was the last thing I've found in the store. Alright, got everything I needed. I went to the checkout to pay for my stuff and went outside to the parking lot.

While I was walking to my car, I almost bumped into an old man who was on his way to the store. I said to him, "Sorry about that."

The old man laughed, "Nah, it's alright. You young folk these days are always faster than me."

I giggled, "Makes you feel like, you were young again, huh?"

He nodded, "Darn straight." Then the old man went back to walking to the store.

I had a thought and I decided to ask him, "Hey excuse me, mister!"

The old man stopped and whirled around, "Yes?"

I walked to him with a curious look on my face and said, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you something." The old man nodded and I asked, "Well...I don't know how long you lived in this town, but-"

The old man interrupted, "Oh, I've lived here for all my life."

My eyes went wide, "Really? Well I need to ask you one thing. Do you know about the woods outside town? I mean, me and my parents have recently moved into a house in the woods."

The old man smiled and said, "Ah yes, I've heard that some new people moved into that house. No one hasn't been in there for a while. Are you one of those people?"

I nodded, "Yeah. But I really have to ask, what do you know about those woods? I mean throughout all the years that you lived here, did you notice anything strange? Or something out of the ordinary? Like maybe there was something you haven't seen before?"

The old man frowned, "Why? Did you...See something strange?"

I just shrugged, "Maybe. But what have you heard about them?"

The old man put a hand to his chin and was thinking, "Well I have heard stories, throughout my whole life."

I tilted my head, "What stories?"

"About something living in the woods. Of course, I've never seen it, but I have heard stories. You see kid...There's something in those woods, that no one has never seen before. One that nobody would ever imagine, even in their dreams. In fact even before I was born, WAY before me and you were born. There have been rumors of a creature from a different time that has lived in the woods for years, perhaps generations."

Hmmm, could it be that dragon? I decided to ask him, "Was it a dragon?"

The old man shrugged, "Hard to really figure it out. In fact, the only reason why there have been stories about the creature, the deer and animals are sometimes scarce, like something has been hunting everyday for food. And the only way it could eat, was to hunt the game in the woods."

I gestured my hand to him, "And what do you think's in there?"

The old man shook his head again, "Who knows for sure." Then he raised his hand with one finger pointed up, "But! That doesn't mean that there's nothing in there. In fact, I'm a firm believer in those things. Try to imagine that the Loch Ness Monster, really existed. If that thing really existed, then whatever lives in those woods is real too. Even a youngster like you would understand it. Cause if you believe in something, it can be true."

The old man backed away and smiled, "I really need to get going. I need to pick up the soy milk. You have a great day!" He waved and he walked to the store.

I just stood there, thinking about what the old man said. Huh. Believe something and it can be true. Oh well I certainly believe it and it's true! A dragon is living in the woods, and it's definitely in there.

I looked down at my shopping bag with all my stuff in there, including my film and flashlight.

I smiled to myself. Well you know what? If people really believe in those stories for a long time, then they'll be in the shock of their life!

*****

The late afternoon finally came, the sun about to set.

Here I was in my room just getting ready to leave my house tonight. I didn't tell mom and dad what I was planning, they would freak if I left the woods in the middle of the night.

I sighed when I thought about them, god what if I don't see them again? What if I...Die? I mean how would they react if I died? I shook my head and said to myself, "No need to chicken out on that now. You already came this far, you might as well finish it."

I got the film that I bought from the store and put it inside my camera, alright loaded and ready to go! I was looking at the camera when I heard someone in the hallway coming to my bedroom door.

 I hid the camera under the bed and all the stuff that I was planning to take with me as well. No need to rouse any suspicion. I sat down on my bed after that. Mom came into my room and smiled, "Hey Wayne, Whatcha doing?"

I shrugged, "Nothing. Just...Cleaning my room."

She giggled and sat down by me, "Well it looks like you've cleaned it already. Guess I don't need to ask you to clean it up after all."

I laughed, "Mom, I'm twenty years old! I don't need you to treat me like I'm a little kid anymore."

Mom giggled again and shook her head, "Sorry but you're still my son and you always will be." Then she rubbed her hand on my shoulder and asked, "So how are you doing right now? Do you feel any better, about...Joanna?"

I decided to tell her what she needed to hear and I nodded, "Yeah...In fact I haven't thought about her all day. It's amazing so far."

She smiled, "Well I know you went to town today. Did you make any friends there?"

I shook my head, "No, I just drove there and wandered around. Doesn't seem to be anything much there."

She said, "Well it's a small town, there's usually not a lot of things in small towns."

I shrugged, "Yeah, I guess." Then I turned my head away from her, thinking about what I was about to do tonight. I really have a sudden urge to just tell her that I'm about to find a dragon tonight and I'm trying to expose it.

Wayne don't tell her! If she knows you're going into the woods tonight, she'll stop you! Not to mention she won't believe you about the dragon!

Mom then had a concerned look and said, "Wayne?" Then she gripped my shoulder while she was rubbing it, "What's wrong?"

I looked at her and gave her a smile, "Nothing. I was just thinking."

She asked, "About Joanna?"

I played along and answered, "Yeah."

Then she smiled and said, "Just remember, only think about the good times you've had with her. Nothing else, but them."

I nodded, "I will."

She gave me a kiss on the forehead and got up from my bed and said, "Good." Then she went to my bedroom door.

Before she left, I said to her, "Mom?"

She turned around, "Yes?"

Then I said, "I love you, mom. And you know what? I really did appreciate all that you've done for me. It...Means a lot." I smiled at her.

Mom smiled back and said, "I love you too, Wayne." Then she went out of my room and closed the door.

I sighed to myself. This could be the last time I'll ever see her again. I really hope I don't die. I shook my head, no I won't die! I'll make sure of it.

I dragged my stuff that I hid under the bed out in the open and picked up the camera again. Good film's in there. Then I picked up the flashlight. Pressed the on button. The light clicked on, it works. I clicked it off. And then I picked up the pocket knife that I've bought from the store. It may be small and it's not a gun, but at least it MIGHT help me.

I put the knife down and then I opened the beside drawer. I got the photo of me and Joanna out of there and looked at it. I'm taking this with me as a good luck charm.

Joanna...Please protect me.

*****

I opened my bedroom door and snuck quietly out of there. Tiptoeing my way out of the bedroom, and I reached my hand for the doorknob and quietly closed the door.

I gripped the flashlight in my hand and I made sure the strap for my camera was fastened for my shoulder. Alright, lets go Wayne. I walked quietly in the hallway, trying not to make the floor creak real loud. I was almost to the stairway when I looked at my parents bedroom, goodbye guys. I hope I'll come back. Then I had a determined look on my face, no turning back! Then I descended down the stairs, taking one quiet step at a time.

I made it to the first floor, then I slowly made my way to the front door. I slipped on my shoes and I gripped the doorknob to the front door. Since that thing is freakin squeaky, I really need to be quiet.

I opened the door very slowly, trying to not make it squeak, it did a bit, but not loud. I sighed, almost there! I opened it halfway, enough for me to squeeze out of there, no way I'm going to open it all the way without making a squeak. I creeped my way out through the door and then I slowly closed it behind me. Now I'm outside.

I let out a whoosh of air. Whew, now I'm outside. Now it's time for me to go find that dragon.

I walked to the edge of the woods and before I went in them, I looked back at my house for the last time. I will come back guys, I promise.

After my last look at the house, I turned and went in the woods.

*****

I walked in the woods with the flashlight on. The flashlight beam shining very far away from me. Well at least the flashlight works in the woods.

Alright, now where's that cave? It's got to be around here somewhere.

I walked on the trail that I've used the other day, thinking that it might somehow lead to the cave nearby. I walked on it for a little while, don't know how long that I've been walking.

Finally I remembered where I was going and started to make my way to the cave, which I believe it's not that far away now.

I walked through the woods and nearby I could hear a owl hooting. I walked for a bit until I finally found the cave. The one that I was near the other day.

I walked to the mouth of the cave and I stopped in front of it. I let out a sigh. Ok, this is it.

No turning back, you just have to take that picture and GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! I just hope I can make it out of there.

I turned off the flashlight, hoping that my eyes would adjust to the darkness. Then I walked into the cave. I took slow steps, one step at a time, hoping I wouldn't wake the dragon.

I kept walking until in the distance I could see it. My eyes went wide. Jesus that thing's big!

The dragon was sleeping peacefully, I didn't disturb its sleep yet. I let out a breath. I walked to it until I was close to it. The dragon still didn't wake up.

My curiosity was starting to get to me. And because of that I reached my hand out to try to touch it, I wanted to feel what the scales felt like. Before I could touch it, my conscious told me to pull back and I pulled my hand away.

Come on this isn't a petting zoo! Just take the picture and get out of here!

I backed away from the dragon quietly, trying to get a better angle for my picture. Ok this looks good. I pulled the camera off my shoulder and got it close to my face so I could look into the lens. I turned the camera on and then I zoomed in. Alright almost got it!

When I was sure I got the perfect shot, My finger was ready to press the button to take the picture. Say cheese!

I pressed the button, but then the flash from my camera brightened on it and I saw it stirring.

I lowered the camera and my face went wide. Shit, I forgot the flash!

The dragon opened its eyes groggily and finally it looked straight at me. I just stood there. Just petrified. The dragon glared and it growled. The dragon got up on its feet real fast and advanced toward me. I backed away from it slowly.

That's when the dragon started talking to me, "YOU? What are you doing in here?"

My eyes went wide. It can talk! It can freakin talk! From the sound of that voice, it was a female. I backed away from her, thinking what I had to say, but no words came out, "I...I."

The dragon angrily asked me again, "What are you doing here?"

I started to freak out, "I...Uh...I."

The dragon yelled, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!" Then she let out a roar at me. The roar was so loud I covered my ears and then I screamed and ran away from her. The camera still gripped in my hand.

The dragon roared again when I made it outside and I've kept running. I ran through the woods, don't really care if there were thorns in some bushes, I had to get away from it, or her.

I kept on running and running, and while I was running I could hear a bunch of tree branches snapping, crap it's after me!

I jumped over a big log while I was running and just kept on going. I ducked down when a tree branch was close to my level. That's when I could see headlights in the distance. It must be the highway!

I ran until I've made it to the edge of the highway. A car was coming and I waved my hands trying to flag it down, "Stop! Wait! Stop!" The car honked its horn and just drove past me, "Wait!" But the car still didn't stop.

I muttered to myself after it left, "Shit." Then I heard the trees rustling and then I saw the dragon come out of the woods, to come after me. The dragon still glared at me.

I screamed really loud, "Ahhhhhh!" Then when the dragon got close to me, it used its paw to back hand me and when it hit me really hard, the force of the swipe made me fly across the highway and I landed on my back hard with a umph.

I groggily looked up at the dragon who was making it way slowly across the highway toward me. My vision started to blur and then my head fell back to the ground  and I lost consciousness.

*****

I groaned when I finally awoken. My back of the head was killing me, and my back was sore as well. I sat up slowly trying to shake the dizziness in my head. When it finally cleared I realized I woke up in the...Cave.

My eyes went wide. The cave?! Why am I in the cave? What's going on here? I looked around and then I saw the dragon who was after me just lying on its belly watching me from a distance.

I let out a gasp and with fear in my eyes, I tried to scoot away from her, "No."

The dragon got up on its feet and advanced toward me while I was scooting away from her. She had a frown on her face.

I screamed at it, "No! Get away from me! I'm sorry, but please don't kill me!!" I scooted and scooted until I could feel the cave wall against my back. I gasped again realizing it just had me cornered.

The dragon finally stopped in front of me, it narrowed it eyes at me and then it said in a human female voice, "Hello human."

I gasped again. So it can talk. But what does it want from me? I don't like this.