The Galway School of Dragons book 1: The Death Dragon

Chapter 1

My back cracks painfully as I am shoved up against my metal locker. My books drop to the ground with a thud as I slide down next to them. Why me? I question myself every night. Is it because I'm skinnier than anybody else? My hair is a carrot orange, it's that, I know it.

I glance around before I pick my books up and open my locker. I switch my books and lock my locker, then turn around. Somebody catches my eye, she's and older woman, maybe in her late forties, early sixties.

Her hair is long, and just as vibrant orange as mine, only with greying streaks in it. Her face is wrinkled and appears like shoe leather, tough and worn. She wears a old-fashioned tunic, and a black, floor length skirt.

She catches me staring, and flashes yellowing teeth. Then suddenly turns and walks right out the front doors of the school.

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My phone beeps, just as I sit on the bus. I glance down and read, 'Albany, get home, now!' I blink at the text, my mother has never sounded so mad, even through text I can see her face boiling, her eyes burning holes in anything and everything...

I quickly text back, 'can't, on bus.' The little bubble comes up, telling me I have an incoming message, then disappears. A second later my phone rings. "Hello?" I ask.

"Albany! Get. Home. Now!" I role my eyes at my mother. "Mom, I can't. I'm on the bus!" I reply, keeping my voice low. "Fine, but, cone straight into the house!" And with that, she hangs up.

I slouch deep into my seat and pull my book from my bag, where I read until the driver pulls up in front of my house. I gather my stuff in my arms and nod my goodbye.

The driver nods back and I jump from the bus and into my driveway. I slowly walk to the house and open the door, loud music blares. "Explain this!" Suddenly, mom has jumped in front of me and is waving a piece of yellow parchment in front of my face. I snatch it from her cold fingers and read it out loud:

Dear Albany,

You have been chosen to go to the school of dragons, in Ireland. Even though we are informed you do live in America, we have included your plane ticket in this letter. Please write back the school immediately, so we are aware you have gotten your letter.

Please come straight to the school on September fourth, so we can sort you into your dormitories. All your books and writing instruments will be payed for with the fee, which is $200. You shall gather your belongings once you get to the school.

Your best wishes, Headmaster of Galway dragons school

The silence stretches on in our small house. "Explain." Mom says sharply. "Mom, I can't! I don't know what this means!" I exclaim. She sighs. "Dragon trainer? That stuff is all BS!" She says.

I glance down at the letter. "I don't know really, it looks legit." I say with a small smile. "Should I write them back? Asking if it's a prank?" I ask, looking up to mom for guidance.

"No, I think it's real." She holds up a small slip of paper. "It's a plane ticket, for the Galway airport." She declares. "I knew it was real, I was just wondering if you signed up... but..." I urge mom on.

Her hair is a deep brown, almost black, unlike mine. I have no pictures or memory of my father, but my mother does. She said he left as soon as I was born, left and got killed in the army.