The Fawx Bite

I.

Sometimes the real world is a lot to handle. Being an adult is hard work. And occasionally you just need a break from everything that requires responsibility. For example: a two-faced, lying, bitch of a former best friend and scumbag, manipulative, cheating ex-boyfriend (insert plastic smile that portrays joy while in reality you are dying inside).
Thus, I had decided that it was high time for a mini vacation. I had chosen Sedona; it was only a few hours drive (I really wanted to go to California but I was broke and couldn't afford it). Sedona was absolutely stunning, and the big bonus was there was little to no cell service. I had a backpack that was packed with clothes, shoes, food, and water, along with a first aid kit. A rolled sleeping back was attached to it and the entire contraption was strapped in my passenger's seat (and yes, I said strapped in because the freaking alarm wouldn't shut up).
I sent my sister, Viola, a quick text to let her know I was about forty minutes away from Sedona and I would see her in a few days. A couple minutes passed and she responded with: K have fun. Another minute: Please tell me you're wearing appropriate clothes.
I looked down at the maroon dress that clung to my curves, the thigh high boots, and in the mirror I saw that makeup that sculpted my natural features and the false lashes (lilly lashes are the bomb). Well...at least my hair was in a french braid and my boots were flat. So, I was appropriate enough, right? I sent her a quick reply before turning off my phone and setting it by my side. By the time I arrived at the Westfork Trail the sun was nearly setting. The trail wound through a forest, skirting the red rock mountains, and crossing over streams. The ground beneath your feet was like walking on clouds. The thousands of tourists had worn it to the most delicate sand. It was stunning and otherworldly, and one of my favorite places to be. When I came here, I forgot about everything for just a little while. And I desperately needed to forget about the real world for a little while.
Normally, unless I was with a group of people, I didn't wander off the trail. But as I was walking, I paused, a strange feeling washing over me. I couldn't describe it. It was like there was a thread attached to my chest and someone had tugged on it. I looked over to my right to see a cluster of boulders in between the towering trees. They were covered in moss and made their own little trail towards a sliver in the red rock. I hesitated for a breath, mulling over my options. Shrugging and deciding "what the hell?" I began to climb over the boulders. Word of advice kids, don't do what I do. Be smart, stay on the trail.
.... I really got to stop interrupting the story don't I?
Anyways, the moss was soft, muting my movements and also providing a nice protection for when I slipped on the rock. In just a few minutes I reached the sliver. There were a couple handholds that I could use to climb up on the ledge that was just a few feet above me. Taking off my backpack, I slung it up into the air, a satisfying thump reaching my ears as it landed. Rubbing my hands together, and acutely aware of the dimming sunlight. I began to climb. What can I say? I may be in full makeup and wearing address, but when you are adventurous you got to look good, you know?
I scooted across the small ledge. Noticing that it continued on. It was dark and I couldn't see where the rock lead to, but it lead somewhere. Curiosity sparked inside my veins and I began to crawl forward, pushing my backpack in front of me. Maybe this was like some sort of cool cave that I could camp out in. Air began to grab at the loose locks of my hair and when my backpack suddenly pitched foreword and fell, I realized it wasn't a cave. I crawled forward a bit more and suddenly the shadows lifted from my vision and a valley spread before me. It was bathed in the orange and gold of the sunset. The size of several football fields, a lake glistening off towards the side. Grass danced in the gentle breeze, cherry blossom trees whispered across the field. Massive boulders rose to form mountains surrounding the space. I could see the dark entrances to more caves from where I sat.
Slowly, I climbed down the cluster of rocks until I was able to step down next to my bag. Wanting to explore some more, I took off my jacket and laid it over a boulder. I grabbed a flashlight (yes, those still exist) and turned on my phone again, although I knew it wouldn't really help. The grass hissed against my hips as I treaded forward. I didn't really know what I was doing but whatever. This trip was about getting away and not giving a damn.
The temperature seemed to rise several degrees as soon as I stepped within the archway of one of the caves. I turned on the flashlight and allowed my eyes adjust to the lack of light. I waved the beam of light around and was startled to see that the tunnel seemed to have been forcefully carved. The gauges in the rock seemed to have been made by an impressive set of talons, talons that belonged to a beast. A chill ran down my spine, the hairs along my arms rising. I shook my head at the silliness and continued forward, aware that I could slip into one of the gauges and get hurt. The tunnel expanded until it revealed a massive space that rose several hundred feet into the air and stretched an unseen distance either direction. The air was heavy and thick here, beads of sweat instantly forming on my forehead.
The ground here was soft, as soft as the sand that had tourists stomping on it everyday. But this space was well-hidden from tourists and I wondered what could be walking along this ground so much that it disintegrated the rock into nothing but sand. Was it the same something that had carved the last tunnel?
I looked around to see that there was another entrance to a tunnel not far from the one that I had just emerged from, and it was definitely smaller than the other one. I advanced forward. The temperature dropped a couple degrees as I walked further into the tunnel. Here it seemed to have been created naturally, there were no claw marks that tore at the rock. There was the slightest of grooves where perhaps someone had walked the same trail over many years. As the tunnel widened, I paused. There was the dimmest of light coming from the outside where a tiny entrance to the valley could be seen. Spires rose from the ground, from the sides and stretched from the ceiling. It was still obnoxiously warm in this space as well, and while my curiosity was nowhere near satisfied, I had found a quick way outside and that was probably for the best. Exploring and endless maze inside a cave wasn't the best idea. Especially when you were alone and no one knew exactly where you were.

I began walking forward when the edge of my flashlight caught something. A flash of odd, bright colors at the corner of my eye. I turned, focusing the flashlight on the object that had caught my attention. It was a cluster of oval rocks that were bright and colorful. I wandered closer, kneeling next to the rocks. They were a foot tall, and half a foot wide. They were magnificent, and beautiful. But I had no idea what these rocks were and where they had come from, they didn't match anything I had seen throughout the cave. And they had been recently placed here too, dust having been moved aside revealing the deep red stone underneath.

I hesitated before slowly reaching a hand forward, I was curious what the rocks felt like and if they were really as smooth as they appeared. As my fingers grew closer, I could feel the warmth that seemed to emanate from inside the rocks. Just before I could touch it, a fierce and violent roar ripped the air apart. I recoiled, falling backwards as I looked widely around. A spire exploded just next to my head. I ducked, screaming. I scrambled trying to get away as another spire exploded and a fierce roar followed. I slammed into a spire as I tried to stand and fell back towards the floor again. I turned, staring at the beast coming towards me.

It was a dragon.

It was smaller than the magnificent beasts that one would imagine. Barely two feet tall, the dragon was the size of a dog. But it didn't look nearly as cute as one. Glistening purple scales armored it's body, spikes trailed down its spine, to its tail, right until the tail expanded into a sharp and deadly spade. Sharpened teeth were revealed as the dragon curled its lips back, canines of nearly six inches in length were the most terrifying sight. More spikes surrounded the dragon's face, adding to the intimidating "you're gonna die a horrible death" appeal.

It had only two legs that were supported by an incredible set of haunches. Talons raked into the stone floor beneath, the tail lashing back and forth. The wings were half open to add to size and intimidation, and boy was it working. My heart was thumping so fast it felt as though my ribs were going to break under the force of it. My throat burned from the rapid, gasping air that I couldn't get enough of to fill my lungs. I was going to die, and I didn't even get a chance to hug my sister goodbye.

I threw my hands in front of me and closed my eyes. Incredible heat washed over me and it felt that I was somehow being lifted into the air by some unseen force. But when I opened my eyes, I was still on the ground, fire surrounding me, but the tip of my finger was inches from the dragon's muzzle. The space separating my skin and the dragon's seemed to be pulsing. I looked into the purple eyes of the beast before me, noticing that the aggression was never actually there. It was protectiveness, and now mixed in was concern and confusion. It had no idea what was going on anymore than I did. I hesitated before closing the space.

Screaming. Roaring. Thunder clapping and lightning flashing. Mountains shook then rained rocks upon the ground below. Trees whipped their branches, slicing through the air. Oceans reached toward the sky, drowning the moon. Fire, fire of every color ripping through the earth and tearing it apart. Blood rained from the heavens. I looked over my shoulder to see my own reflection in a cracked mirror. But it didn't look like me. I could figure out why until I realized my eyes were purple and reptilian.

I was suddenly falling, spinning through a galaxy. I tried to scream but I could draw no air to scream. I was mute. And then as abruptly as it had all started, I slammed back into my own body like a rubber band snapping back after being stretched too far. The reptilian eyes staring at me weren't mine but the dragon's. His. Marek's.

The dragon was Marek.

And there was now a strange golden thread that I couldn't see, only feel that somehow attached me to him. I could feel his complete confusion and alarm that rattled his very soul. And he could feel my fear. If my life had been normal before, well it definitely fucking wasn't now.