.Rose.
Rose shuddered, the men were getting closer, she could feel their breath upon her.
Ben put his face to hers," come now, you never know, you might actually enjoy this," he rancid breath assaulting her.
She turned away her eyes shut, tears pooled at the lids, and she sobbed.
The bush beside her rustled, startled, she opened her eyes. Two orbs of red stared at her hidden in the brush.
She looked back towards the three men whimpering, and accepted her fate, either die mauled or raped.
Choosing mauled, she pushed Ben of her and ran to the bush, Ben chased after her, the men still oblivious that they were now prey.
Rose stopped at the bush, the red eyes were gone, had all of it been imagined. She curled into a ball and lay on the ground, sobbing.
Ben stopped," that's the way", he slowly inched forward," I promise you are going to enj...", Ben stopped dead in his step.
Glowing red eyes stared at him from the bush, and before he could utter another word, flames engulfed him.
The drake roared and pounced onto the burning man, a bite to the throat and he went silent.
The other two looked on in panic, almost as if planned, they dropped their weapons simultaneously and ran off.
Rose shut her eyes, she knew she was going to be next, she curled inwards even tighter.
She could feel the drakes breath on her neck now, no doubt getting ready for the kill.
To her surprise, the drake nudged her hand gently,'rose'.
She immediately shot up, confused, what had just spoken to her.
The drake stood over her, it's eyes wide and curious.' You can hear my thoughts?' Its eyes grew even wider.
The look of utter bewilderment caught rose by surprise, an involuntary half sob half choke escaping her lips.
"Are you really The shadow," her expression full of disbelief.
The drake twitched to the side, as if it was focusing on something far away, listening.
'The humans are coming, I apologize, but you are coming with me, Alduin will want to see you.'
