Shadows and Hope: An Indoraptor Story ✓

Unburdened

It had been a little over a week since Red and I arrived at the forest team. Everything was going smoothly, although there were some dragons there who didn't seem to like us, like Furutann, Laks, and a few others. But Red and I were used to people not liking us, so it didn't make much of a difference.

Fortunately, some of the dragons felt sorry for having us around. Azurwing, or Feathers, was a very kind dragon who always made sure we had what we needed. Right now, I was out hunting with Furutann and Red. The large hybrid was dangerously close to breaking the younger dragon's neck, and I sympathized with him.

"But we can't kill our hosts, Red, and you know that," I said, waving my tail while trying to keep my anger in check as best as I could.

"Grr, we should be able to do what we want, Ripper, I'm getting restless," the dark-red monster growled, thumping his club tail on the soft needled ground. "Hah! You're allowed to hunt with us, sleep, and do everything we do. How can it be that you don't get to do what you want?" Pinetooth groaned. I stared at him with yellow eyes before pushing Red away. "Come on, let's go find some food."

"Why didn't you let me kill him?" Red growled as we got out of earshot. I whirled around and lashed my tail over his snout. "Are you a featherbrain? We don't kill our hosts, even if they annoy us!" Red grumbled low before sitting on his hind legs and wrapping his strong tail around himself. "Ugh, I'm getting tired of this, Ripper. Seriously, why can't we just go? We're fully healed now!"

I sighed, "I won't say this again, Blue could be out there, and if she finds us, she'll tear us apart, and then InGen will be after us. It's not safe out in the world for us now; we're better off here," I said, lying down beside him. "I know you're restless; I am too, but maybe in a few moons, everything will have settled down, and we can go home." Red sighed, "I have no home, and I know you don't either. We were created in Palo Alto, but that base is abandoned, and humans are crawling all over it." I nodded, it was true, but one can always hope, right?

I shook my head, no matter what happens, I'll stick with Red all the way. I stood up and wagged my tail, "Come on, let's head back to camp. Azurefeather probably doesn't like us being away for too long."

"We haven't hunted yet," Red pointed out as he stood up too. I closed my eyes, "Azurefeather will understand." With that, I ambled away, and from the distant rumble of thunder behind me, I knew Red was doing the same.

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The morning light streamed through the treetops, casting dappled shadows over our camp, shielding us from the outside world. A particular ray of sunlight landed directly on my sleek black fur, and I purred contentedly, stretching out to soak in more of its warmth.

"Enjoying yourself here?" a snide voice growled, and I spotted Firtooth approaching. I spun around and lay flat on my belly, my tail tip twitching uncontrollably. "What do you want?" I snarled. "Did you come here to talk or to torment?"

Furutann sneered and lashed out with a claw, grazing my cheek. Thankfully, it was just a glancing blow; otherwise, my entire face would have been torn apart. I said nothing as blood welled up, and Furutann showed no hint of remorse. He simply snorted and stomped away.

But soon, the fiery-red dragon named Red approached me with a menacing glare, fixating his fierce gaze on the very spot I had been scrutinizing before. He leaned forward, his massive claws curling around my scaly scuff. Panic surged through me as I exclaimed, "This is unnecessary!" I desperately attempted to wriggle free from his grasp, but he remained resolute, ignoring my pleas.

Without a word, Red led me towards the medicine den, forcefully shoving me inside. "Ripper's hurt, heal him," he ordered the skilled dragon healer named Goldenfang before briskly departing. Goldenfang, a golden-scaled dragoness, sighed audibly before rummaging through her stores of medicinal herbs.

"You really need to stop getting yourself injured, Ripper," she scolded, a hint of frustration in her voice. "It took a whole week to heal all those scratches and puncture wounds from your last escapade, and your heart was even grazed this time." She grunted as she began applying a potent poultice to my scales. The sensation stung, but I clenched my jaws tightly. I refused to whimper over a few drops of blood; that wasn't the dragon I aimed to be.

"So stop caring then," I retorted abruptly, overwhelmed by a surge of conflicting emotions. I took a step back, distancing myself from Goldenfang's hovering talon, which held the gleaming poultice on its tips. "I can take care of myself." With that declaration, I dipped my head and strode out of the den, ignoring her persistent calls.

As I passed by fellow dragons Mousewhisper and Whiteclaw on my way to the small, babbling stream that meandered through the camp's outskirts, I immersed my black, bony head into the refreshing water. The clear stream washed away the remnants of the poultice and the stains of dried blood, and I vigorously rubbed my claws clean. Finally, I lay down by the stream, feeling utterly drained.

Today started so normal, I mused silently to myself. Then it turned into a full-on argument, and all this stuff happened. I couldn't fathom why it felt like the gods were perpetually angry with me, assuming they even existed up there. I let out a weary sigh and rested my head on the ground. The wounds stung, but I chose to ignore the discomfort; they could have been much worse.

"And what brings you here?" came a calm, soothing voice. I looked up to find Azurefeather, the wise blue dragon, approaching. I dipped my head respectfully to him as he settled down beside me, his tail curling over his talons.

"Answer me, Ripper. You're not usually out at this time," he pressed gently. I let out a sigh, feeling a strange sense of relief that I could unburden my thoughts to someone I trusted in this unforgiving forest.

"It's just... it's been hard, Azurefeather," I confessed, my gaze shifting to the ground. "Red is growing restless, and I don't know how to ease his frustrations. Some of the dragons here clearly despise us and make life even more challenging than it already is."

I paused, realizing that I was pouring out my feelings to him, and continued, "I don't know why I'm telling you all of this now, but it feels good to have someone I can confide in amidst the trials of this accursed forest."

Something gentle brushed against my flank, and I looked down, noticing the blue scales of Azurefeather glinting in the sun. He spoke with a reassuring tone, his eyes warm and understanding.

"You don't have to endure this life here, Ripper," he told me. "All I can offer is shelter and sustenance, and we've provided that. It's up to you when and if you decide to leave."

He clicked his eyes in a comforting manner before offering a warm smile and turning towards the river. "Although I would appreciate it if you stayed a while longer. These younger dragons have some valuable training for challenges that go beyond just dragon battles."

His words were a soothing balm to my troubled soul, and a smile slowly crept onto my face. As I started to relax, the weariness of the day weighed upon me, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me, nestled in the presence of a newfound friend and the tranquil sounds of the forest.