Dragon Island

Chapter 3

I had no idea what to do, I needed shelter and food and I didn't have a clue how to hunt. Sure my father and my three brothers had gone on hunting trips often enough but they had never seen fit to bring me along or even to teach me how to shoot a gun. My mother wasn't much help either, she believed that it was very improper for a lady to hunt and kill. She always said that she had enough sons and she didn't want her only daughter to go around acting like a boy.

I felt a stab of homesickness when I thought about my family so I tried to push the thoughts away and concentrate on the task at hand. I figured the first thing I should do was try to find fresh water. I looked around trying to decide which way to go first, everything looked the same so I ended up just continuing on straight ahead. I'm bound to get somewhere eventually, I thought. So I kept walking. The flowers growing in clumps around the bases of the trees and peeking out from under bushes were really quite beautiful so I figured I'd make the best of the situation and enjoy the scenery.

Finally after at least an hour I heard the sound of running water. Elated and much in need of a drink I ran forward. The stream was narrow with many small waterfalls created by the water running over the rocks as it wound its way through the trees. The water was crystal clear and I could see straight to the rock covered bottom. I hurriedly knelt on the moist, grassy bank, scooped up the water with my hands and drank. The water was chilling and satisfying and delicious. When I had drank my fill I got up and wondered if I could find the source of the little creek so I followed it, walking along the bank.

The forest was very peaceful. A soft breeze gently rustled the leaves but other than that there wasn’t a sound until the loud roar pierced the air, interrupting the serenity and breaking the silence. It was quickly followed by a low growl and howl of pain. The sound came from somewhere across the stream, very near by. It sounded like something huge! Terror ripped through me, I turned and ran back the way I came, crashing through the underbrush and surely alerting every creature within a mile to my presence. I panicked when I heard the heavy footsteps and the cracking of branches behind me. I knew that whatever huge beast was hidden among the trees had given chase. 

I ran blindly not knowing where I was going and not caring. Every instinct in me told me to just run from the terror that followed me. I ran as far and as fast as I could, tripping over roots with tree branches whipping my face. I didn’t stop once to catch my breath and it rattled painfully in and out of my lungs. It felt like they might burst and my legs might give out. I ran until I reached the dead end with my pursuer close behind.

Now here I am with my back against a cold stone wall, cornered by the biggest creature I have ever seen and with no idea how I’m going to get out of this one. The beast bursts out of the forest and, raising its humongous head, lets out a roar. I see the flash of gleaming fangs before it settles again on all fours. Then it turns its head and fixes its huge black eye on me and I finally see what it is. A dragon.