Crackerjack II

Chpt. 13: Visitation Hours

Kristen locked her hands and breathed deeply. That hadn't been so bad. At least she hadn't panicked and made herself look guilty. Actually, she felt relaxed, like a side of her was sleeping.

She was just passing under the community tree when a shadow detached from the trunk. Kristen winced as sunlight reflected off white hair. She paused, though, at Sylvia's worried expression. The instructor put out an arm to halt Kristen, who pasted on a polite expression.

"I'm so sorry about the thing in the stables."

Kristen shrugged. "You were right. I shouldn't have been there."

Sylvia shook her head. "You don't understand. I'm the reason that building burned."

Kristen stared. "Beg pardon?"

"It was your dragon that started it, right?"

Kristen shifted, swallowing hard. "Yeah."

"You know how bonds work? Strong emotions travel. I was practically attacking you. You were so scared that you scared your dragon. I'd no idea your bond was already that strong. I swear, I never meant to...I never would've been so harsh if I'd known your bond was that developed."

Kristen gaped. Her panic had caused that damage? She'd barely gotten her ability to stop responding to her emotions. Now, she had a whole different issue.

Her heart was racing. She needed to calm down. She was going to freak her dragon out again and then he'd burn down another building and people could get hurt and then the heads would be suspicious and then she'd get her dragon in trouble and–

Her eyes widened. She needed to calm down! Her breathing was too fast. She was panicking about not panicking.

"Hey!" Sylvia grabbed her shoulders. "Deep breaths."

She guided Kristen to a bench. Kristen blinked hard as she obeyed the order. Did this mean she could have been responsible for lost lives?

Sylvia tapped the dazed girl's head. "Watch me. All this means is that you have a strong, true bond."

Kristen nodded slowly, still breathing deeply. Her panic was gradually being replaced by amazement, leaving her with a different, more serene type of numbness. She had a bond. She was really a dragon rider.

"Good?" Sylvia ducked her head to see into Kristen's eyes.

Kristen nodded, a smile gaining ground. "I'm a dragon rider?"

Sylvia's mouth turned upward.

The sky, so blue, welcomed Kristen's upturned face. "I'm a dragon rider." She breathed deeply. "Thanks, Sylvia."

The woman sighed. "I haven't been much help, I'm afraid."

"I wouldn't say that. You were the trigger f'r my bonding experience." Kristen cocked her head. "Did you know the first pair tried t' kill each other, too?"

Sylvia breathed a laugh. "It's not too uncommon, even today. Moonstone would've crushed me if we hadn't sparked the bond."

Kristen chuckled. "Does this mean I can see him all the time, now?"

Sylvia hesitated. "Well, you are bonded, but it's not a fully-developed bond, so you have to take things slow. You can see him, now, but you can't go in by yourself."

"Oh." Kristen shuffled her feet.

"Well," Sylvia stood, "I guess I should let you...get going."

Kristen nodded. "Thanks, again."

Sylvia nodded before hurrying away. As she watched her retreat, a tingling began in Kristen's head and traveled to her heels. She was a dragon rider. She had a bond! A grin sprouted as she realized anew. She was a dragon rider!