A Dim Light in the Night Sky

3

The weather was unseasonably warm as I strolled through the park that mid-afternoon. Tall, majestic trees provided much-needed shade on this sun-drenched day, their leaves whispering in the occasional gentle breeze. Each breath of wind brought a cool, refreshing sensation to my face, making the heat more bearable.

The pond glistened invitingly under the sunlight, its surface rippling softly. It seemed like the perfect spot for a dip, a serene escape from the day's heat. However, that idea went out the window when I spotted a man, clearly struggling with addiction, injecting himself by the water's edge. The stark contrast between the beautiful setting and the possibility of stepping on needles, killed any desire I had to swim.

The park wasn't perfect, but it was ok. Probably the best I could expect in a city like Desperado.

I scanned the park for a bench that appeared reasonably clean, my eyes darting from one to another. After a bit of searching, I found one that seemed acceptable—free of obvious dirt and not too close to other park-goers. I settled myself down, eager to clear my mind and soak in the surroundings.

Directly in front of me, children ran around with unbridled joy, their laughter ringing through the air as they played games and chased each other. Their carefree energy was infectious, bringing a small smile to my face.

Off to the side, I could hear the melodious strains of musicians playing instruments. The soothing tunes of a guitar and the notes of a flute blended harmoniously, adding a peaceful soundtrack to the sunny afternoon. The combination of these simple pleasures created a relaxing atmosphere, offering a brief solace from the chaos of everyday life.

"Would you like a smoke?" I heard a voice asking me.

"What?" I turned around and noticed it was Darryl. "No thanks, I don't smoke."

"You sure? This is the good stuff." Darryl handed me a joint.

"Okay, maybe just one," I conceded, reaching out to take the joint. Darryl, with a knowing smile, lit it for me. As I took my first puff, a wave of relaxation washed over me, easing the tension from my shoulders.

Almost instantly, the world around me seemed to transform. The colors of the park grew more vibrant, each shade of green in the trees and grass taking on a richer, more intense hue. The sunlight danced through the leaves, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant laughter of children blended into a soothing symphony.
With each puff, a profound sense of serenity enveloped me. I felt deeply connected to my surroundings, as if the park and I were part of a harmonious whole. The worries and stresses of everyday life seemed to drift away on the breeze, leaving me in a state of blissful tranquility.

"You're right," I said calmly. "This is the good stuff. Got purple smoke too."

"Yeah man!" Darryl started puffing his too. "You be puffing my famous purple dragons."

"Purple dragons, huh? I like them," I said with a grin, reclining back on the park bench.

As I exhaled a plume of smoke, I noticed it swirling into the shape of a dragon, a long, slender, purple dragon. Slowly I started to get lost in the fantasy. It looked like I was flying alongside these ethereal creatures.

In a rush of excitement, I soared high above the park, looking down at everyone and everything below. The city stretched out in the distance, a sprawling landscape of buildings and streets bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. I turned my head and saw Darryl beside me, now transformed into a dragon himself, his scales shimmering with shades of purple and blue.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of pink and orange, we flew together, weaving through the air with effortless grace. The city's neon lights flickered on, creating a dazzling array of colors that illuminated the night. One bar, in particular, caught my attention. A vibrant purple sign that boldly proclaimed The Fucking Dragon.