Several Years Ago

I was limping across the lands, after I've suffered an attack from a lone dragon slayer. The bastard came out of nowhere.

I roared out in pain when I stepped on a rock, but I shouldn't stop and waste another minute. I need to keep moving!

The dragon slayer actually wounded me, he managed to use his sword to stab my leg, which is why I'm limping. He also made a small cut to my neck, just barely hitting one of my arteries. I also have a deep cut in my right side of the body.

I looked back at my body, where I was wounded, and saw that I'm still bleeding. My eyes went wide with fear. No! I can't die! Not now!

After I took a glance, I kept on limping. In my other paw that's not wounded, I managed to take the dragon slayers sword, as a trophy for his passing, for my victory for killing him. If I'll ever survive to keep it.

Not far away I saw the woods not very far from where I'm at. I could have flown, but there might have been more of those bastards on the ground. If I flew, they would have spotted me and that would have been a problem. I have to stay low to the ground.

I limped and limped and limped, until I finally made it through the trees. I still managed to limp, not thinking about where I'm going. Trying to find a place to lay low somewhere. But what about my wound on my body? It's still bleeding! I know my blood has good healing properties, but I can't heal if I'm losing a lot of blood!

I was starting to feel tired. Tired of limping and carrying the sword at the same time. I don't know how long it'll take before I pass out.

I saw a lake nearby and I thought maybe a cool drink might help. I limped to the lake and lied down on my body slowly. I dropped the sword beside me and then I lowered my head to the water and started to drink some of it. The coolness of the water quenched my thirst. I needed that.

After I drinked a lot of water, I just sat here for a while. Trying to think of a place to go.

While I was thinking, I heard a noise in the bushes and looked at the sound of the noise. I hissed in anger. I tried to get up in case there was more trouble. But the pain in my paw is unbearable!

Before I could do anything else, a lone human came out of the bushes. A young man, by the looks of it. He had a very shocked look on his face. He had a sword in his hand and he got into his fighting stance when he got close to me.

I glared at him, but I didn't move. If he wants to kill me, he can do it. I wouldn't fight well, except I would blow fire at him. But even if I tried that, my throat just hurts. I think it's the cut on my neck, that's probably why.

I angrily said to him, "Go ahead, get it over with! You damn human!"

The human boy stopped at his tracks and he gave me a frown.

I yelled at him, "Well what are you waiting for?! Kill me! I know you want that! I know you want to mount my head on your wall at home! Just kill me already!" I closed my eyes tight, waiting for the human to do the killing blow.

I waited for him, but nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw that the human didn't do anything. He just...Looked at me.

I cocked my head at him, "What are you doing?"

The human finally spoke, "You....You can talk."

I glared at him and said, "Of course I can talk! What does it look like?!"

He took a step toward me and I growled at him, "Stay back."

He stopped and then he said, "You need my help. You're wounded."

I cocked my head at him again, but then I hissed at him, "I don't need your help."

The human put his sword  in his holder and he raised his hands, "Listen it's alright, I'm not going to hurt you."

I was trying to crawl away from him, but it did no good. I couldn't move. I snapped, "Yeah right! You're just saying that just to trick me! I know you want to kill me! You're a dragon slayer and you want to earn some coin, just by killing me!"

The human shook his head, "No! I'm not a dragon slayer! I don't work for anyone! I live out here alone!"

That's when I frowned at him, "You mean....You're not working for the king?"

He shook his head and took another step toward me, "No." Then he asked, "What happened to you? Dragon slayer?"

I sneered at him, "Why do you care?"

He finally got TOO close to me, "Because I want to help you. Listen, I don't care what anyone thinks, I think you have been through a lot and I want to help you. You...Don't seem to be a monster. I thought you were, but I was in your shoes before. I was wounded once and someone saved my life. Now I see you a wounded creature like yourself, wounded and on the ground, begging for mercy and you need my help."

I sneered, "I WASN'T BEGGING FOR MERCY!!!" Then I cried out in pain when I accidentally stepped on my wounded paw. I crashed back down in a heap.

The human didn't flinch and he still stood his ground, "I know you don't trust me. But believe me, I want to help. Listen I'll try to take you to my home, where I'll help your wounds. Especially that wound that's on your body." He pointed at the wound on my body, "It looks bad."

I grimaced in pain, "That guy was just lucky."

The human examined the wound, "Yeah and so were you. If that wound was any deeper, you could be dead by now." He backed away from me and said, "Look at least take my offer. I know you don't want to die. You really need my help. Look I know we don't know each other, but give me a chance. Please...Let me help."

I only stared at him, I didn't trust him one bit. The human boy sighed and said, "Alright, I'll take that as a no. I hope you survive." He turned his back on me and was about to walk away from me.

Suddenly I'm sure it's all because of all the pain and my life hanging in the balance, I reconsidered his offer and then I yelled, "Human wait!"

The human whirled around and then I sighed and said, "Show me the way."

The human smiled, "Ok, try to get on your feet, take it easy on your foot and follow me."

*****

I hissed in pain when the human put some clothe with medicine on it and put it on my wound. Ancestors my wound feels like it's on fire now!

After this human found me, me and him walked all the way to his house in the middle of nowhere. Since the house is too small for me to stay in, he took me to a barn nearby. Ever since then, he has been busy patching me up. I wonder who is he? A hermit? Too young to be a hermit, isn't he? Hmmm, I wonder.

The human already put a big bandage on my paw. He told me it's gonna be a while before it could fully heal. Then he patched up the wound on my neck, the medicine he put on it stinged a little bit, but I was a tough gal, I could handle it.

It's just the freaking wound on my body, that what's on fire! It's worse than the wound on my neck.

The human backed away from me and then I angrily asked, "Done yet?"

He nodded, "Yeah, but I don't think you should leave this place, at least for a while. Until your wounds are healed."

I glared at him, "And if you think I'm staying in this god forsaken hole? Think again." I tried to get up but I fell back to the ground.

He ran to me, he put his hands on my shoulder, "Stop it! You can't move right now! Do you want to open your wound again?!"

I shouted at him, "Leave me alone, I don't need anyone's help!!"

The human glared right back and he crossed his arms he sternly said, "I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU."

I sternly said right back, "I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR HELP, YOU OFFERED."

That's when he snapped, "Oh really? I offered to help you? That's right I did and let me tell you something, I don't care if you like me or hate me. I will help you, whether you like it or not. You should be thankful. A human is actually trying to help you. And you should have also figured that not ALL humans are like that. A lot of us are not killers. A lot of us are kind."

I breathed heavily and then I finally calmed down. I only just stared at him now, "Are...Are you serious? You're not trying to turn me in to the king, are you? Cause I've heard he has dungeons for something like me."

He shook his head, "Why would I do that?"

I had a sad look on my face and said, "Because I look like a monster."

He got closer to m face and said, "Listen...I was kinda like you. I didn't have a lot of friends either. And I don't think it's your fault that no one understands you. In fact, that's why I live out here alone. Because no one understands me as well. I think...We're a lot alike."

I glared at him, "You don't know me, or who I am. Who are you to judge?"

The human just shrugged, "I don't know. I guess what you call this meeting now, I think it's called fate. Do you believe in fate?"

I shook my head at him, "I try to, but...I don't think there is fate. I think everything happens by coincidence."

He smiled at me, "Well I think differently than you do. I think there is a thing called fate. And I believe you should thank fate that I've found you."

I looked at him and smiled back, "Maybe I'm wrong about you." Then I changed my expression to a glare, "But that doesn't mean I'm going to get soft!"

He laughed and patted my cheek, "I know we've just met, but I figured you'd say that." He backed away from me and said, "Look I have to ask, are you hungry?"

My stomach growled on cue after he said that and when he heard the growl he laughed, "I'll take that as a yes! Okay, you wait here, I'll go get you some food. It probably won't be meat though. I don't have a lot of it."

I groaned, "Well just try to feed me! I'm hungry here!"

He shot a glare and then he said, "Alright wait here then." He whirled around and then he said, "Oh!" He turned around to face me and said, "I forgot to ask, do you have a name? I mean do dragons have names?"

I glared at him, "Why would I tell you? I don't even know you."

He shrugged, "Well I guess I can tell you my name first. You want to hear it?"

I sighed and said, "If that'll help you leave me alone, then yes."

He giggled and put a hand to his chest, "Eric. I'm Eric. Eric O'Connell."

I cocked my head, "Eric?" Then I said, "Well...To be honest, I don't think I could tell you my name. You couldn't possibly pronounce it with your tongue."

Eric frowned, "That HARD to pronounce?"

I nodded, "I'm sure, my name's in a different language than yours, you wouldn't understand it."

Eric shrugged, "Well at least I've tried. Alright, whatever your name is, I'm going to get you some food. But I can't promise you if there's meat." And with that, he whirled around and ran out of the barn.

I thought about him after he left. Hmmm, this one seems...Different. He's actually trying to save me. I thought all humans are EVIL.

But apparently he's not. He cares about my safety.

I smiled at that. That's a comforting thought. But it'll take some time to trust him.

A lot of time.

*****

Present Day

I've woke up to the sound of birds chirping near the balcony in the motel. I let out a yawn and stretched my arms. When I looked out to my left, to the sound of the birds, I could see that it's morning now.

I looked down and saw that I was still in Sierra's arms. Holding me tight like I was her child, being protected. My head was still against her chest, I could hear her heart pounding. Her big heart. I smiled when I heard it beating. She really does have a heart.

I looked and saw Sierra's head close to my body. She really did curl herself around me. I smiled at her. She really has changed a lot. Better than the dragon I've known when I've first met her.

I slowly removed her arms from me and got out of her grasp slowly trying to not wake her up, I wanted to wake her up the other way.

I crawled close to her face. Mumbling in her sleep. She must be dreaming.

I whispered to her, "Good morning, sleepy head. It's time to wake up."

She opened her eye slowly and groggily said, "Eric?"

I shook my head, "No, it's me. Wayne."

She opened both her eyes and turned her whole head to face me, "Wayne? Oh, sorry about that. I thought you were Eric."

I giggled, "Were you dreaming about him?"

She smiled at me, "Yes. And it was a nice dream, until you interrupted it."

I laughed, "Whatever woman."

Then Sierra yawned and got up slowly to her feet and let out a big long stretch, her claws digging into the ground. When she was done she smiled down at me, "How was your sleep? Did I make you uncomfortable?"

I shook my head, "No, actually you were all warm and everything. My sleep wasn't bad at all."

She grinned at me, "Good. That's good."

I gestured my hand to her, "You want to talk about it? You know your dream?"

She giggled, "Well lets just say me and Eric were flying together. You see he became a dragon instead of a human, and he was flying next to me. We were...Together."

I smiled up at her, "That sounds beautiful."

She then had a glum look on her face, "It was."

That's when I had a concerned look on my face and then I put my hand to her face, petting it, "It's ok, girl. It's ok."

She leaned into my touch and said, "Thanks, Wayne." Then she looked at me and said, "You know, you really do pet like him."

I giggled, "Well it's the least I could do for you." I pulled my hand away and said, "Well listen I need to get going. Remember that I've said I have a job at the Braveheart? Well I have to go there right now. Joanna said that I can work there in the mornings."

Sierra cocked her head, "Joanna? Who's Joanna?"

I giggled at bit, "Oops, I forgot to tell you. I'm sure you know the magenta female dragon who works there? The owner?"

Sierra nodded, "Yes of course, I've known her for a long time. She's really nice."

I said, "Well I've named her Joanna. You see that's what I'm calling her now."

She grinned, "Ah, you named her, didn't you?"

I shrugged, "Well I needed to find a way to communicate with her, so I've named her. And it's Joanna."

She giggled, "Eric has met her before, Eric has met...Joanna before. And they were close."

I nodded, "I know, Joanna told me about that. She said I remind her of him."

Sierra shrugged her wings, "I'm not surprised. After all I did see you with that small male green dragon the other day. When I thought you were causing a fight."

I smiled at her, "Yes well, I'm heading over there, on the first day on the job, so I'll talk later, ok?"

She nodded, "Ok, maybe we'll meet up later?"

I grinned at her, "Sure of course. And maybe we can talk about...Eric."

Sierra put some thought into it, "We'll see."

I waved at her, "Ok, I need to go. Bye!" Then I ran out through the opening of the room. Leaving Sierra alone.

*****

I said to the customer, "Can I get you anything else?" The dragon that I'm talking to shook his head and I said, "Ok, I'll be back later with your order." Then I ran off to Joanna.

I talked to Joanna who is in the big kitchen, big enough for a dragon to work in. I said to Joanna, "One order of rabbit steak with marinated seasoning."

Joanna nodded and went to talk to the cook in the kitchen. Then she ran back to me and grinned down at me, "You're very good at this."

I let out a whoosh of air, "Yeah, but I'm kinda tired now! I feel like I need a break!"

Joanna said, "Look you really don't have to work here. You don't have to pay for my food. When you come in here to eat, it's always on the house, just for you."

I shot a look at her, "But Joanna, then it wouldn't be fair!"

Joanna had a concerned look and shook her head, "Listen, I understand why you're doing this. But you don't have to hon. Go on, go do whatever you want. I won't hold anything against you. Remember you can come eat here without paying for the food. Alright? Now at least go back to your friend."

I stared at her for only another minute and then I sighed, "Well....Ok then. Then I'll come back later."

She smiled down at me, "Good. You don't need to overexert yourself for me. Now go ahead, run off hon."

I nodded and said, "Ok, talk later." Then I went through the restaurant took a glance at the stage nearby, the one dragons would use for singing. The stage with that mind reading gem, which it can read your thoughts and uses it magic so it can hear the music your thinking about. I'll have to ask Sierra about that gem sometime. Then I went back to walking and I went out through the entrance.

Now I was outside, still morning. Hmmm, I guess I could find Sierra and maybe talk to her. Maybe I can get her to talk about Eric. I went off in the direction of the motel and then I've heard a voice, "There he is!"

I stopped in my tracks and that's when I saw the dragon who bullied me the other day. The red dragon who was standing out here. But he wasn't alone either. He's with another red dragon, but he looked older than him. I gulped, this looks bad.

The older red dragon bore a grim face when he saw me and he stopped in front of me and lowered his head to my level, "Hello human."

I tried to put on a cheery face and said, "Well good morning to you...Dragon! So how's life?"

He glared at me, "Don't try that with me human. I'm not here to let you kiss my scaly ass. In fact, I came here to talk to you about my son."

I gulped again. Uh oh, the older red dragon must be the bullies father. I shot a glare at the young red dragon, and I could've sworn he was grinning at me. Beating me at his own game. Asshole.

I looked up at the old red dragon and pleaded, "Listen I know what you're thinking, but I didn't start that fight with your son. He's the one who started it."

Then the old red dragon shoved me with his paw and said, "Now you listen to me, human! I'm the mayor of this city and if you ever start a fight in this city again, I'll kick you out of here, do you understand?"

I wanted to argue with him, but what good will that do? I'm basically an outcast here, so I better not try anything. I sighed and nodded, "Yes sir."

The old red dragon grinned, "Well good, glad you've listened. Alright son, lets go." Then he whirled around, I ducked down when his tail almost hit me. Then the old bastard walked away.

The young red dragon giggled softly and bragged, "Told you this wasn't over. Weakling." Then he shoved me and I fell backwards to the ground. The young red dragon whirled around and walked away.

I got up slowly from the ground and dusted myself. I sighed when they left.

Well at least things couldn't have gotten worse.

*****

I looked at my reflection in the pond at the park. I already talked to my uncle about me and Wayne and he said that he was proud of me.

Of course I've also told him that Wayne will be staying in the city for a least a little while. So I'll be planning on seeing my uncle with him. My uncle didn't hesitate to agree to see him as well.

Then I thought about Wayne. Speaking of Wayne, I wonder how he's doing at the Braveheart? I giggled to myself, hope the little guy could handle all the dragons who are hungry. The dragons would be thinking that Wayne's the food. Oh boy, he would freak!

While I was deep into my own thoughts, I heard a voice interrupt them, "Hey there."

I turned and looked at the source and smiled. It was my old friend, the red dragon who's not wearing his armor for today. The one who me and Wayne met outside the city when we first came here. The one who helped me find Wayne in the forest when he got attacked by wolves. He also was the one who gave his blood to Wayne to help heal his wound.

He grinned at me and sat down beside me. He nuzzled me and said, "So how's everything? I could tell you look happy. I didn't get a chance to see you yesterday."

I grinned at him, "I'm doing fine thank you for asking. And if you're wondering about my human, he's doing fine as well. Your blood is really doing wonders on him."

He giggled, "Well good. I knew one of our blood would help him. Is he walking good?"

I nodded, "Pretty well. He's not limping anymore."

My friend nodded, "Well good. Cause I was a little concerned about him. I mean, I know he's not one of us, but he's little and who wouldn't protect him?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Human haters."

He laughed, "Yep, that sounds about right." I giggled with him and we just sat down for a while, enjoying each others company.

He sighed and then he said, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

I sighed as well, I know where he's going with this. I said, "You want to ask me, how I'm doing? Because of what happened?"

He nodded with a sad look on his face, "Honestly, yeah. I...I really missed you."

I smiled and I looked at him, "I know you would, and so do I."

He shook his head, "No you don't know. I mean-"

I interrupted him, "I get it. Look...I know I should have came back here years ago. But it's just...About Eric. I mean you tried to tell me to move on from him, but I just couldn't. In fact, everyone did. Even my uncle."

He nodded, "We knew you were in love with a human. And we've also understood about your pain. I still feel terrible about my mate's death, years ago. And I even still feel her."

I sighed and said, "I know I should have came home. But I just wanted to be alone. You just have no idea."

He nodded and then he giggled, "Well one human had made you come back to this city and he's not even your minion."

I frowned at him, "Let me guess. My uncle told you this right?"

My friend laughed, "Yeah, he told me he wasn't your minion after all. He was just some human you've kidnapped because you didn't trust him."

I felt a twinge of guilt and said, "I do feel pretty bad about that. I mean I've treated Wayne like shit and it's my fault."

He shook his head, "I wouldn't blame myself too much. You just didn't know him."

I smiled at him, "Yeah, but I think I do now. He wasn't the human I've thought he was. He's really kind."

My friend laughed, "I knew he was. He looks like a good kid."

I nodded in agreement and said, "Yep."

We sat in silence again and then he said, "Hey."

I hummed, "Hmmm?"

My friend said, "Did you remember all the times we've had together, you know when we were little?"

I gave him a devil of a grin, "Yeah and I also remember our first time together. Our first mating together, in the woods outside the city."

He laughed, "Well we were both inexperienced. And besides that, we're not anymore."

I giggled at him, "Ha! Considering how good you were years ago, I'm trying to believe you."

He waved me off, "Oh please, I'm good at this stuff now. Besides that...." He trailed off.

I frowned at him, "What?"

He took a deep breath and he said, "Do...Do you remember, years ago after you've met Eric, that I've said I loved you? You know right here in this spot? In the park?"

 I nodded and said, "Yeah. We were talking about our parents. About how much they would love us together. About what it would have been like, if they were still alive. And I think that's when you've said that-"

He interrupted me when he reached over to touch his paw over mine. I looked down and looked at him again. Before I could say anything, he said, "Hey listen...I know that it has been a long time since...Eric died. But when you wanted to be with him, while we were together, I didn't stop you. Eric was my pal. And he always will be. I wanted you to be happy. I never stopped you, your happiness was very important to me."

I nodded, "I know."

He gripped his paw tighter on mine, "But when he died and when you didn't want my help, I've felt so helpless. I couldn't really do anything. And when you left without saying goodbye, I...I didn't want to believe it."

I felt a lot of guilt when he said that and then I said, "I wouldn't believe it either."

He looked into my eyes, "About what I've said to you years ago. That I've said, I love you. I didn't just say it...I've meant it."

I blushed when he said that and then I looked down a bit, "Thank you."

He lifted his paw off of mine and he cupped my cheek with it. I looked at him and he looked back at me. He leaned over to nuzzle and nip my neck. When he stopped he was now close to my face. Then he slowly pressed his lips to mine for a kiss.

My eyes went wide at first, but then I closed my eyes and I kissed him back. I tilted my mouth our jaws locking each others and our tongues touching each other in our deep kiss. I moaned into his mouth. He pulled back and then he said, "I love you." Then after he said that, we kissed again.

Suddenly Eric's face came into my mind and I pulled away from my friend and softly said, "No." Then I turned away from him with a lot of guilt in my very soul.

My red friend thought he'd done something wrong and before he could say anything, I said, "I'm sorry. It wasn't you, it's me."

My friend frowned, "I get it. You still love him. Even when he's dead."

I muttered without looking at him, "I don't want to make it awkward."

He shook his head, "No, you just don't want to accept change and let him go. You want to keep believing that he's alive and he'll come back. But...He won't."

I closed my eyes and said, "Please...Don't."

He nodded and then he said, "I won't say anymore. I'll go home. But...One day you'll have to let him go. Everyone who knew him has moved on from his death. When will you?" Then he whirled around, his tail trying not to hit me and he said, "I still love you. But even I'll still be your friend. I don't want to lose you  again." He sighed and then he said, "Goodbye." Then he walked away, leaving me alone.

I looked down at my reflection in the pond. Thinking about what he said.

Can I really let him go? Can I?

It's not that simple. I still love Eric. He was my soul mate. My love of my life.

I can't let him go...I can't.

*****

I looked for Sierra after I went back to the motel, she wasn't in her room. I wonder where she went? It's nighttime now and everyone in the city is about to go to bed.

I wondered on top of the wall, thinking that maybe she's up here. And I was right. Cause I saw her sitting on the edge of the wall staring out at the scenery.

I smiled when I've found her and then I walked up to her, "Hey."

Sierra looked at me and grinned, "Wayne. Where have you been? I haven't talked to you most of the day."

I shrugged, "Well I went to work at the Braveheart, remember?"

Her eyes went wide, "OH! How did that go?"

I answered, "Not well. I couldn't handle it. So I just quit."

Sierra laughed, "Well that didn't take long at all."

I gave her a mock expression, "Hey I thought it would be easy. But I guess taking orders from a bunch of hungry dragons isn't a cakewalk."

She shook her head and giggled, "That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard."

I pointed at her, "You try doing that in my place and you see what happens."

I playfully grinned at him, "Maybe I will." Then she laughed.

Then I had a glum look on my face, "Then when I've left the restaurant, the mayor of this city came to talk to me."

She cocked her head at me, "Why?"

I groaned and said, "Remember the dragon you've thought I've had started a fight with?" Sierra nodded and then I went on, "Well apparently that dragon is the mayor's son and let me tell you, his father gave me a stern chat about it. He said, if I ever start something like that again, he'll kick me out of the city."

She glared, "That's insane! You didn't start the fight, he did!"

I exclaimed, "I know! But he tattled on me and told his father that I've did it, but I've never did! That asshole."

I sighed and then I asked her, "So what about you? What's new?"

She shrugged, "Nothing." Then she had a guilty look on her face and looked away.

I had a concerned look and said, "What's wrong? You know you can tell me." I gave her a comforting smile.

Finally she looked at me and said, "I still love Eric."

I shrugged, "Tell me something I don't know."

She went on, "But I've rejected someone who loves me. I've did that to him years ago, and now I've gone and done it to him again. But...I can't let Eric go."

I walked to her and placed my hand onto her leg, "It's not easy to let someone like that go. I know how that feels. Who did you reject?"

She answered, "Remember the red dragon who gave you his blood? Well you see we've known each other since we were hatchlings. In fact, we were together once, before Eric came into the picture. And my best friend still loves me and I've rejected him."

I gave her a smile, "It'll be okay. You just need some time to think about his feelings. I'm sure your best friend is not mad at you. You just need some time to adjust your life a bit."

She cocked her head, "Did you fall in love with the person you've lost? Your best friend?"

I shook my head, "No." I sighed and then I said, "She was...Like a mother to me. Joanna was."

Sierra's face went wide, "Wait, Joanna? You mean the owner of the Braveheart?"

I waved her off, "Oh no. You see I've named the owner of the Braveheart after my best friend. Get it?"

She had a sad look on her face, "Oh...I see. You named her after your...Best friend."

I sighed and then I sat down on the edge of the wall and said, "I still miss her, almost everyday. I...Can't let her go as well."

Sierra asked, "What happened to her?"

I didn't say anything, I only stared ahead, not looking at her. Sierra sighed and then she sat down close to me and we both said nothing for a while. Finally I broke the silence, "Hey Sierra?"

She looked down at me and I asked, "How did you and Eric meet? How did you two find each other?"

Sierra smiled and said, "Well...It was one day I was out of the city, on my own. Just doing what I think is great, living out on my own away from the city. I mean, it was my first time I've ever lived outside the city. EVER."

She sighed and went on, "You see, I was sleeping out in the open, on the grass. Then one minute I've heard a noise and suddenly...I've got attacked by a dragon slayer."

The sword back at the cave back at home crossed my mind. Then I said, "That sword."

She figured out what I was saying and she said, "Yes. You see after that dragon slayer died, I've took his sword as a trophy. Even Eric found the sword and he held on to it for me. Because you see...The dragon slayer almost won. But I've killed him before he did. But I was wounded. He made a big cut through my body and I was bleeding to death. You see I would have flew away, but I was afraid that thee would be more dragon slayers after me, I stayed on the ground. I didn't want to take the chance."

She took a deep breath and let it out, she said, "Eric found me wounded in the woods near a lake. He had a sword in his hand, I thought he was going to kill me as well. But he didn't. He thought I was a monster, but he saw that I wasn't. He saw me a deeply wounded person and he even offered his help to me. Of course I didn't trust him right away, but in the end...I did. He was different than the dragon slayer. He was...Special." Then she had a glum look on her face.

I looked at her and said, "Well...I wish there was something I could do for you. You know, to bring him back. That way you wouldn't have to feel so alone. Whatever happened to him, it's not fair. To him and to you."

Sierra said, 'But even you can't erase the past. It will always haunt you, no matter how happy your life is." Then she shut her eyes tight.

While I felt sorry for her, I came up with an idea. I said to her, "Can I ask you a question?"

She didn't look at me and then I went on, "How about if I cheered you up? How about if I sang you a song? Maybe that would make you happy."

She finally looked down at me and asked, "You really can sing? I mean I remember seeing you singing one time before you came into my cave that night. Something about lights."

My eyes went wide when she said that. She saw me singing in the woods before I came to her on that night in the cave? I didn't know that at all. Well she did hear me singing in her cave before as well. I do have a loud voice after all.

I said to her, "Yeah, you see my kind sings a lot of songs. More songs than you could ever imagine. You see, you've heard me singing 'Lights' by Journey."

She cocked her head, "I don't get it."

I laughed and said, "Well you're a dragon who lived in the woods for a long time, so how would you know?"

She playfully glared at me, "Don't push your luck, buster." Then she asked me, "Can you...Sing a song for me? Just to cheer me up?"

I smiled up at her and nodded. Then I got up on my feet and thought about what song I would sing for her. What song would cheer her up?

Finally I came up with one. It would be from the ex lead singer of Journey, Steve Perry, singing 'Oh Sherrie'. That's the one.

I cleared my throat and then I started to sing for her, "You should've been gone!"

Her eyes went wide after I started to sing, I continued, "Knowing how I made you feel! And I should've been gone! After all your words of steel!"

Then I started to dance in front of her, "Oh, I must've been a dreamer! And I must've been someone else! And we should've been over!"

"Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

"Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

Then I started to move my arm up and down in rhythm, "Oh, I want to let go! You'll go on hurting me!"

She smiled down at me as I continued, "You'd be better off alone! If I'm not who you thought I'd be!"

I spun around once and continued to sing, "But you know that there's a fever! Oh, that you'll never find nowhere else! Can't you feel it burning! On and on!"

I raised my arms high into the air and sang, "Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

"Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

I whistled the song's tune in front of her and sang, "Oh Sherrie!" Then I started to whistle the tune again.

I sang, "But I should've been gone! Long ago, far away! And you should've been gone! Now I know why you stay!"

I raised my arms high in the air again and sang, "Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

I danced as I sang "Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

"Oh Sherrie, our love! Holds on, holds on!"

Then I whistled the song's tune again, then I sang, "Hold on! Oh Sherrie!"

I whistled the last of the song's tune and I raised my arms high into the air one last time and I sang, "Holds on, holds on!!!!"

After that I dropped my arms to my side and I was breathing heavily.

Sierra beamed at me and then she said, "That...Was...Amazing!"

I smiled brightly at her, "Really? You like it?"

She nodded, "Well I don't know what half the words you were singing about, but yeah I've liked it."

I giggled and said, "This song is about a woman that someone loves. The guy who sang it, he wrote it for his girlfriend one time."

Sierra cocked her head, "I still don't know what you're talking about. Who wrote for who?"

I laughed and answered, "I sang a song after Steve Perry wrote it for his girlfriend, and that was years ago."

She asked again, "Who?"

"Steve Perry? From Journey?"

She just stared at me. Then I shrugged, "Oh well it doesn't matter. Lets say that I liked this guy because of his voice and I like his work. Before I've met you, I've listened to Steve Perry a lot, especially when he was on Journey. Well he's not on Journey anymore."

Sierra just laughed, "I know I like this song you've just sang to me. But I've got a lot to learn about the humans more than I thought I would."

I laughed when she said that, "Probably." Then we both laughed.

Sierra smiled at me and said, "Thank you. For...Cheering me up. I've needed that."

I smiled back at her, "Told you my singing would cheer you up." Then I winked at her.

Sierra walked up to me and then she wrapped her paw around me and pulled me close to her chest. Hugging me. My eyes bugged out of my skull when she did that, but then I returned the hug, I wrapped my arms around her neck, my head close to her chest. My head can hear her heart beating in her chest. That sound soothes me.

Finally Sierra let me go and backed away. She smiled down at me and said, "Really Wayne. Thank you very much. No one sang a song for me. That was...Special."

I beamed at her and then I said, "Come on. Lets get back to the motel, it's late now."

Sierra grinned at me, "Yeah and maybe tomorrow, you can tell me about Steve Perry, I'm still pretty curious about him."

I giggled and said, "Deal!" We both laughed. And then we went to the staircase off the wall that leads us to the streets of the city.

I smiled to myself. Still happy that I've just sang a first song to Sierra. I knew she would be happy.

Now I'm wondering if I would sing in front of a whole crowd of dragons. Oh man that would be crazy, but then it would be exciting!

Maybe....Maybe I would.