The Vampire from Hell

Chapter 24 - A Walk on the Beach

Chapter 24 - A Walk on the Beach

"Rayea? Can you hear me?" 

"Where are we?" 

"We're walking along the beach. I know how you like to see the water. Can you look at me?" 

When I opened my eyes as I stood with the sand in my feet and the wind against my face, I knew I was at the edge of the ocean. The glare from sun hitting the water blurred my vision, but I could hear the seagulls and a horn from a ferry blowing in the distance. Is this San Francisco?" I asked the stranger. 

"Of course, Bakers Beach actually. I thought somewhere familiar for you would be best. Open your eyes. You're safe with me. The sun is our friend." 

"I feel wonderful," I replied. 

"Of course," the voice said, as if it were spoken from the sky. "You're in a state of calmness, something between euphoria and bliss. You're dreaming because you're sleeping. We're not really in this place, but you'll remember all of this afterwards. Having digested my blood we have this connection now. It's a form of communication. We dragons call is 'zazeblue.'" 

Suddenly I felt a hard nudge against my back. 

"I'm up here. I won't bite." 

When I turned around, I saw a wall of blue and green iridescent scales before me. As I lifted my head and took a few steps backwards, I realized I was standing near the legs of a large dragon. He was the size of a skyscraper. It was like someone had placed the Empire State Building on the center of this beach. White sands. Blue ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. And one massive dragon gazing down at me. 

"Ra?" 

"Yes my child," the dragon nodded. "At your service." 

"You're huge!" 

He laughed and the ground beneath me shook. Good heavens, I thought. I crouched down, trying to balance myself. 

"Would assuming a human form be better? I don't want to frighten you." 

"I'm not so much worried about me as I am the onlookers," I replied, glancing around as I stood up. 

"Rayea, we are alone. Think of it as if you and I are the only ones who exist on this planet, or on any planet, if you like. We have no enemies, no passersby, and no onlookers. It's just you and me." 

"How is that possible?" I asked before realizing who I was actually talking to. 

Ignoring my question, he slowly maneuvered his body, so that he laid his large form on the beach. Carefully with each movement, he placed his back left leg, then his right, his front left leg, and then his right on the sands. "I'm not used to such small spaces. You'll have to forgive me." 

"Thank you for the blood," I blurted out. I didn't want to forget to thank him, even in this dream. "I was at my wit's end." Lightly I patted him on the side of his face near his glorious, sparkling golden green eye. "Is it okay if I touch you, sir?" 

He chuckled a little. "I don't mind at all. I wasn't expecting it, but I don't mind. You're a very kind soul from what I hear." 

"Ha," I retaliated loudly. "I'm sure my father wouldn't share that sentiment with you." 

"We don't have to worry about your father, now do we? You proved yourself worthy with that act. You do realize that, don't you?" 

"No, sir. What do you mean?" 

"We noticed how valuable you will be to the Fight. Your mother and I." 

My heart slammed in my chest. "You know my mother? Is she? I mean, she's okay, right?"