Dreaming Away

Chapter 4- Where Did You Go?

I returned to the top of the hill and searched around, for anything that could be used as a clue. A clue to find the dragon, a clue to find where the dragon went, or why that man had tried to kill it. And how to make sure that he didn't.

I looked around for hours on end, but couldn't find anything, anywhere! I almost felt like giving up, but when I came to the East edge of the forest, I found a trail of dragon scales! And they looked just like how the dragon did! I couldn't give up hope, not now, not ever. I ran East, following the trail, and hoping I was on to something. When I came to the base of a mountain, I looked up. There was the dragon, circling the peak of the summit. 

I started up the trail going up, and around the mountain. Every step I took, I was getting closer, and closer, hoping to reach the top soon. When I was about half way there, I looked up to see the dragon wasn't anywhere to be seen! I squinted against the sunlight, trying to get a good look. At first, I couldn't see anything, but then, I noticed the dragon amerge from the side of the mountain. I assumed there was a cave up there that the dragon lived in, so I started on my trek again. I looked down to see where I started and to see my progress, but instead, I saw... the man! Rock climbing up the side of the mountain, and gaining on me. I couldn't let him get there first, so I started sprinting, trying to reach the dragon before he did.

I ran, and ran, not looking back. I didn't dare see how far back he was from me, I didn't want to jinx it, knowing my luck, he was probably on top of me by now! I looked up ahead of me and noticed I was almost there, maybe 30 feet away. But I looked back and saw the man coming up onto the path from the side. I slowed down to catch my breath a little and he looked up to see me. We stared at each other blankly for a few seconds before we realized what we were doing. He quickly helped himself up, as I ran, full speed for the cave. He was on my tail and catching me fast. Soon enough, he was at my heels. I had to think fast! So I looked down at my feet, slowed down a bit to catch my balance, then stuck out my foot, and tripped him. He went tumbling behind me, and I sped up, not looking back. I was nearly to the cave when he fell on top of me and threw me to the ground!

As we were thrashing around and struggling to get free of each other, the dragon came out of its cave to see what the commotion was about. By that time, the man had me pinned down in a choke hold. I was flailing, and struggling to breathe. Though the dragon must have recognized me, because it whipped its tail and flung the man off of me. Exhausted and still petrified, I layed there on the ground, motionless, for a while to catch my breath. And before I knew it, the dragon had its snout right up in my face. I took it as the dragon was making sure I was ok, which I found kind of pleasant. It seemed like it was taking a liking to me. I sat up, as to show I was alive, and the dragon backed off a bit. I took a deep breath, and stood up. I looked around and took in that the man had just tried to kill me! And then realized that a dragon had just saved my life! I turned around to see the dragon's gaze fall upon me, and we locked eyes. I felt this sense of desperation and quilt come onto me, but I at the same time felt kindness and respect towards the dragon.

All of a sudden, the dragon widened its stance and shot a huge fireball, past me, and hit the man coming up the side of the mountain behind me. He had climbed back up again, after being thrown off the first time, out of persistence. He made it quite obvious he was not giving up very easily. The man raised his sword, blocking the fire, and starting charging at the dragon once more.

I hurried in front of his path, getting in between him and the dragon to hopefully block him from the dragon. The dragon choked back the next fireball, and stared at me, as if judging my instincts. But it just felt right. I felt the urge to protect this dragon, like it would bring me the greatest treasure anyone could ask for. I obviously knew in my mind that this wasn't at all possible, but my heart had something else in mind. And it just felt right.