Runaway Dragon

Not Normal

(unedited)

"This is too big. This is too big. How do you drive this thing?"

Chase sighed. "I thought you had your driver's license?" He jumped into the backseat and buckled up in a padded high chair. "Mama used to say that this truck is the safest car to drive in." He buckled himself in, throwing his things in the back. The trunk was already stuffed with Walmart bags and Chase's single suitcase.

"I don't feel safe. I don't feel safe at all," Remington's voice wavered as he looked for the key hole.

I grunted, trying to open the door. Ari was standing behind me, staring at everything with round eyes. I knew he was wavering where he stood but I hoped he could stay put just a moment longer...

Chase saw my struggle through the tinted window. "Pull harder!" He coached.

"I am... pulling..." I managed between grit teeth, yanking my whole body back and steeling my worn tennis shoes against the rocky ground. An ugly, manly sound grumbled from deep within from exertion.

Then I heard a click and the door popped open, my built up momentum sending me crashing to the ground for the second time in an hour. I groaned and relaxed on the leaves, giving up. Then I saw Ari's concern as he awkwardly staggered his legs, apparently trying to achieve the crouching position. "No I'm fine Ari, it's alright," I called, raising my hands. Ari didn't seem too convinced. He lowered himself carefully before leaning forwards and flopping on top of me.

Over my squeaky yell of surprise, I heard Chase howling with laughter. And Remy's "Are you okay?"

I shot a killer glare at Chase and ignored Remington as I slowly sat up with a grunt. Ari put his hands to the ground, slowly supporting himself. It seemed almost like a machine process to watch him carefully lean back to sit on his butt, all the while staring at me. "It's alright it's alright," I sighed, stifling my rage so that Ari wouldn't bite Chase's hand off (which would actually be a little amusing right now). I got to my feet and helped Ari up. Ari smiled a little at me before looking beyond me to glare at Chase as well.

Chase giggled. "It's a big truck. You gotta use some muscle to open the door."

And he was right. This was not just your average Toyota. This was a big black Ford Excursion, whose diesel growl thrummed the whole vehicle. Ari looked as alarmed as I felt as I helped him get inside. His eyes scanned the truck for any signs of a stalker dragon. Chase laughed harder from his high chair. "You gringos have never been around a real truck, have you?"

"Haw haw," I said, really wishing I could punch him. I buckled Ari in before plopping beside him and buckling myself in. I really hoped this thing wasn't this loud the whole time. With my luck, I'd probably get a killer headache.

It roared to life as Remington pressed the gas pedal, jerking forwards aggressively and making everyone except the cackling imp yelp. "I got this!" Remington yelled back, aggressively turning the wheel hand-over-hand to make it out the driveway. Ari clung onto me so tight that I thought I was going to lose circulation in my arm. The truck inched forwards, growling at every timid push to the pedal.

"Do not fear the Beast!" Chase crowed, trying and failing to sound masculine with his Mickey Mouse voice. "You must conquer it! Feel its power!" He raised his hands as if summoning some tribal god from his high chair.

"Stop being so dramatic," I snapped, holding Ari's head in my arms. I was stroking his hair fervently in an attempt to calm him down. He was hyperventilating already and the trip of a lifetime hadn't even started.