Eye of The Wyvern

I

5 days before Karissa's 18th birthday

Water, calm and smooth, blue and shimmery, an occasional turtle peeking its head to see the clouds above. This was just part of the beauty in South Town. Over on a large gathering of mossy rocks sat Karissa, her blue eyes glowing like the lake before her. Another girl came up behind her, dark eyes landing on her seated friend. Karissa turned to look at her, feeling the presence, "Amanda," she smiled, "did you bring it?"

Amanda nodded, her red curls bouncing as she sat next to Karissa, "All of them!" She shrieked, excitement shining in her pale cheeks. She reached into her dress pockets, taking out shiny blue and green pebbles. Karissa and Amanda laughed, each holding a handful. They both stood and walked closer to the lake.

"Ready?" Amanda asked. Karissa nodded, taking one of the pebbles into the other hand. "Alright!" she laughed, "1..." The two begin to count, "2..." Amanda takes a pebble from her handful. She and Karissa look at each other then at the lake, "3!" they shouted, tossing the pebbles into the water. The pebbles skip, both plopping in at the same time. They toss two more, this time Karissa's skips farther. "A point for me!" She bellowed eagerly.

Amanda giggled, tossing another stone. Her's skips farther this time, "And now," she pointed, "we're tied. Again." The girls laugh. Once a week, they would reserve time to toss pebbles into the lake; it was one of the few things they did for fun, for the town was not the biggest or the wealthiest. Other than their games, they spent the days doing small chores. Cleaning the hay sheds, bathing dogs, sweeping their porches, helping Amanda's aunt in the garden. Sometimes, the girls would bake with Karissa's father.

Karissa turned to look at the road behind them leading to the town. Amanda followed, wondering what she was looking at. Walking up to them was Peter, Karissa's father. "Hey dad," Karissa waved, "what's up?"

Peter walked over to them, standing at the top of the rocks, "I need you both to come with me," he smiled, "there's a missing chicken." Amanda jumped to Peter, "On it!" she cried, dashing off to go help find the chicken. Karissa hopped to the top of the rocks, "Is it the big one again?" She asked. "Yes, ma'am." He laughed. Karissa rolled her eyes, "She gets out every other week!" They both laughed as they made their way up the road toward the town.

* * *

The group searched for what felt like an eternity, but the chicken was still missing. Karissa and Amanda met back up next to the trees leading out of the town. "That chicken needs to quit fucking escaping..." Amanda sighed. Shrugging, Karissa glanced at the shape seen from the corner of her eye. There stood the chicken, "Chicken!!" Amanda bellowed as her and Karissa dashed toward it. The chicken sped away as they got closer, clucking with each step.

They practically flew in attempts to catch the chicken, dodging the goats and people they passed by. The chicken was fast, but eventually Amanda leaped, sprawling out her arms. With one loud cluck, she caught the chicken. Karissa slowed, her chest heaving from the chase.

Amanda stood up with the chicken in her arms, "I got it!" She smiled, but the smile faded as Karissa pointed to her friend's once white dress now covered in brown muck. The smell filled their noses as they realized what it was. "That was both extremely gross, and very impressive." Karissa snorted.

Amanda grimaced, "Man.. I just cleaned this one!" Peter walked up, holding his nose. "Oh my," he sounded bemused, "what the hell happened to you?" Amanda smiled cheekily, "Well, at least she didn't get away right?" Karissa bellowed a laugh. Despite the awful stench, seeing her friend in such a situation was the best thing she'd seen all year. Peter flicked her forehead, "Impudent child," Peter chuckled, "you now have the responsibility of assisting Amanda in her chores of bathing not only the chicken but her clothing and hair as well." The two girls sighed in dissent, but agreed anyway, taking the chicken to the well for water.