Dawn of Dreams

Chapter 6

Bile rose in his throat, a response to his revulsion at seeing the fiend's features close up. The beak was not only razor sharp, but serrated, glinting with jagged, metallic-looking spikes along its edges. As if realizing Jaden was attempting to capture its image for eternity, the beak snapped ferociously, and Jaden almost dropped the palmcam.

Regaining his composure, he tightened his hold and focused on the other facial details. The huge, fiery discs of the beast's eyes contrasted radically with the rest of its face, so infinitely black it was like gazing into a bottomless pit. But not just any pit—a pit that grew blacker the deeper you looked into it. A pit of inestimable terror. A pit without end. Like the pits you fall into in your dreams and wake up screaming because you think you died.

Momentarily disconcerted by the embodiment of evil in the sinister face, Jaden took an instinctive step backwards. His foot slipped on the snowy slope, and he struggled to regain his footing. It reminded him where he was. Reminded him he had yet to capture an image of the mutant.

He pushed the button that allowed him to take photos whilst filming. As the disc whirred, capturing images, he marveled that the ferocious beast didn't attack. It only hovered there, waiting. For what? I hope it doesn't eat people. But considering the armor it's equipped with, it would be a pleasant surprise if it's herbivorous.

Still recording, the lens roamed down the creature's elongated neck, revealing why the neck had looked so strange. Steel plates stuck out at odd angles all along its length, apparently fixed in position, none capable of lying flat. Before Jaden could film further, the thug bolted upward and then streaked off, its speed leaving Jaden gawking in astonishment at its retreating form.

Jaden lowered his hand, noticing his parents' voices behind him.

His dad's voice was the first to penetrate the fog. "What are you filming?"

"Yes, what?" his mother echoed. "All we can see are those silly little clouds up there."

Jaden was having trouble assessing how long his study of the creature had diverted his attention. It barely registered that his parents hadn't observed the thing. But I expected that, didn't I? And now I have to lie—again.

Gathering his wits, he responded, "I thought I saw an eagle. But you know how it is when you look through the lens of the palmcam. It's difficult to find something in the sky where there are no landmarks. I couldn't even find it using my zoom lens."

"What a pity," his mother said. "I heard they were up here but didn't think we'd get to see one."

Jaden silently thanked the local newsfeed for their recent piece on the increased presence of eagles in the area. "I didn't think we would either. Guess hope had me imagining one. But I'll keep my palmcam handy, just in case."

Less burdened now that he had finally achieved his goal, Jaden released his tension, allowing his natural exuberance to take over as they hiked farther up the steep incline. His parents, sensing the change, relaxed too. By the time they reached the sunny meadow, one of their favorite spots, they were as rowdy as ever.

While his mom unfolded the waterproof picnic blanket and spread out a feast fit for a king, Jaden inhaled the unmistakable mountain fragrances: loamy earth, prickly, nose-pleasing pine, and cool, unpolluted air. Delightful sighs and murmurs of a forest awakening from its winter slumber filled his ears: squirrels chattering as they chased each other up and down trees, chipmunks scampering back and forth across the clearing, and birds twittering as they flitted about.

Rampant, effervescent colors filled his vision: columbines with their deep purple throats and yellow tongues, perky red lichen clinging to the smooth black rocks, and wildflowers peeking out of every conceivable nook and cranny in riotous colors. Tranquility flowed over him, courtesy of the gorgeous scenery surrounding him, and he could literally feel the fresh air working its magic on his mind and limbs.