Chapter 10

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After the 3 of them finally untangled themselves, though Thalia kept complaining about Hazel dive-bombing them on purpose, they were able to pack up and set off for home. Cat's body was aching after about 200-250 pounds had fallen on top of her, but she was too excited to care, much less complain.

When they finally got home, (it took some time because they walked.) Thalia unlocked the front door, (She had brought the keys with her.) and stepped in, turning on the lights. Hazel immediately made herself comfortable of the couch, while Cat and Thalia pulled off their coats and shoes. Once Cat was done, she tossed the bag onto the couch next to her backpack, and raced Thalia up the steps, and to their moms closet.

Their mom had a big walk-in closet, with lost of dresses on hangers, and folded clothes in little cubbies, and on the shelf on the top of the hangers. Thalia stood on her tip toes, and brought out a 2 small boxes. Their mom had said that she had gotten the jewelry from India, but when they opened the boxes, they could clearly see that the little white jewels were not jewels, but dragon scales.

Thalia had brought one of Hazel's baby scales to compare to the earrings and rings, and as they sat down at the dining table, Hazel joined them, climbing onto a chair. Thalia took out the 3 pieces of jewelry, and placed them next to the scale. The similarities were telling. The scales were all the same size, and even though they weren't the same color, their shape was practically identical. There was no doubt.

It was about 5:00 PM, and now that they knew that their parents knew about dragons, they finally had something to off of. You know, Hazel said, it is possible that your mom just bought those earring from a jeweler who happened to have found a dragon scale. Cat and Thalia both glared at Hazel. They finally had a clue to what happened to their parents, and they weren't going to let the pessimist dragonet ruin it for them.

"So, now what?" Cat asked. "What was your plan for after we found proof?" Thalia and Hazel exchanged looks, then grinned at Cat. "Were going on a trip!" Thalia exclaimed. Cat raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Thalia was practically bouncing around with excitement. "You know how a learned to forge moms signature last year?" Cat nodded. Thalia had gotten into so much trouble, and their mom had made her promise never to use it. "Well, I used it to forge a note saying that we were going on a trip to India for 3 weeks, and we've been excused from school!"

Cat started at Thalia in shock. They were lying. To the entire school. If they were found out they would be in so much trouble. Cat took a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out. "Cat?" Thalia waved her hand in front of Cat's face. "Are you okay?" Cat resisted the urge to grab her sister's hand, and flip her over her shoulder. "I'm trying not to panic about you lying to our entire school district."

Thalia patted her on the back, which did not help her urge to flip her, and leaned back in her chair. "Cat, we need to get our parents back, and I honestly don't care what we have to do to accomplish that." While Cat agreed with her, it was still taking her some effort to get over the fact that they had told such a big lie to their teachers. 

Cat stood up, walked over the the living room, and peeked out the window. There was no-one outside. It was starting to get dark, and it didn't seem like Hazel was planning to go back to the forest. Starting tomorrow, Cat wouldn't have to go to school for 3 weeks, and they could spend those 3 weeks searching for their parents. 

Cat returned to the table, and picked up the ring. She tried to pry the scale out of the ring, but it was stuck fast. She placed the jewelry back into the boxes, (They were really fancy boxes, too.) and handed them to Thalia. "Feeling better about the crime we're committing, Kitten?" Thalia said, winking and her. Cat rolled her eyes. "I was until you called it a crime. Can we be put in jail for doing something like this?" Thalia checked her phone quickly. "Not at our age, no, though I'm cutting it a bit close." 

Cat sighed in relief. Hopefully their parents wouldn't be too upset with everything they were doing. Of course, they would have to find them first for them to feel anything about what they were doing. Cats spirits sank as she, once again, remembered that their parents weren't there to criticize them, or to tell them not to lie to their teachers, or any of that stuff.

Hazel, as if sensing Cat's emotions, leaped over to her and hugged her, standing on her hind legs and wrapping her wings around her. There are other dragons! She said happily, letting go of Cat. Do you think I'm a type of dragon? What type of dragon do you think your parent's got those scales from? 

Hazel was trying to change the subject. She wasn't very good at it, but Cat was grateful. Then, she realized something. "Hazel..." She said slowly. "How fast do dragons grow?" Hazel looked at her in confusion, but answered her question. Judging by how fast I'm growing, in a couple of weeks I'll be roughly the size of a horse, if not bigger, especially if I eat enough. Why?

Cat was growing more excited by the second. "That means that eventually you'll be big enough for me to ride you!" Hazel drew back, looking offended. I beg your pardon? Cat was practically jumping up and down with excitement. "I can fly on you!" Hazel grabbed her shirt in a clawed fist, and made her stop. I am not a pack mule, or a horse, that you can simply make take you where ever you need to go. You may not ride me until you pass a series of tests, and even then, only with my express permission!.

Cat looked down in shame. "Sorry Hazel. You're right. What tests do I need to pass?" Hazel let go of Cat's shirt, and clumsily patted her on the head with a wing. You didn't know. It's not your fault my intelligence is superior to yours, and you acted without thinking. Cat's head shot up, with a disgruntled expression. "Excuse me? You were practically born yesterday!" 

A crunching sound distracted them both from what was turning into an argument. Thalia was leaning on her chair eating pretzels, watching them like they were an interesting movie. "Don't mind me, keep going, I'm not even here." She said, crunching loudly on her bowl of pretzels. Cat rolled her eyes, and flicked Hazel, who whacked her with a wing. Cat glared at Hazel, then went upstairs to sleep, and get away from annoying siblings and dragonets. About an hour later, she heard Thalia and Hazel enter the room. Thalia went to sleep in her bunk, and Hazel climbed up the steps to Cat's bunk, curling up next to her. Finally, Cat fell asleep.

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