The Magitrix: A Flame Awakens

Chapter 2: Shadows, Fires, Magic, and... A Dragon?

Chris looked up at the clear blue sky. His feet thudded against the pavement, the sound amplified by the silence that seemed to coat the neighborhood. Even the birds seemed to be asleep. Almost there, he thought.

Even though he was glad he wasn't expelled, he was still terrified of having to tell his father the truth. Goosebumps crawled up his arms at the thought of it. He'd promised his dad it wouldn't happen again last time, but, obviously, it did. He's going to kill me. If he doesn't, it'll still be bad, he thought.

He was so caught up worrying that he didn't notice anything unusual until a large snap came from behind him. It was so loud against the silence that Chris whirled around, startled.

What stood before him was probably the strangest creature he ever saw. It had a human shape, with the impression of short hair, but he couldn't discern its other features. It was like it was standing in a dark room, the shadows cast over it to look unrecognizable, but it was standing on the sidewalk, in the sunshine. The effect was very, very unsettling.

The most unsettling thing about it, however, was its eyes. They were human-like, but wide and with galactic, with swirling pinks, yellows, purples, reds, and blues. Its foot was on a broken stick, which was probably what made the noise that startled him so badly.

Chris and the thing stared at each other, Chris looking deep into its eyes, the creature just standing there. After what felt like an eternity, with impossible speed, it leaped upon him, grabbing his throat and pinning his limbs to the sidewalk with its body.

"Are you the Bomb?" It's voice came out in a crackle, like the crunching of paper. Chris struggled, fear enveloping him. The thing tightened its grip on his throat. He gagged. "I said, ARE YOU THE BOMB?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chris forced out with a gasp. White and pink flecks were starting to dance in his vision, and he wasn't able to breath against its grip. He was confused, but more so terrified. He was going to die.

The thing obviously didn't believe him, because it tightened its grip. "Lies," it hissed. "I must know what you are, or else I will kill you." It tightened its grip even more, effectively strangling him.

Colors were swallowing his vision. Darkness was beginning to close in on him. He struggled feebly. No, no, I don't want to die...

Suddenly, there was a loud crash. A roar. The thing gave off a high pitched, grating scream, and he felt its weight leave his throat. He took in a gasping breath, his throat sore, and closed his eyes. It screamed again, and he heard a swooshing noise.

Someone was picking him up. Someone with strong arms. They were taking him somewhere. They were flying. He could hear a rhythmic thudding. Everything was fading, fading away, to gray and then, eventually, to black.

****

When Chris woke up, his head was on a fallen tree trunk. They were obviously deep within a forest somewhere, because when he looked around with bleary eyes, all he could see were trees. (Actually, that's a lie- he could see bushes and flowers, too.) There were birds, chirping, and other sounds, along with faint sunshine and grass. Lots of grass.

Chris sat up. Suddenly, a burst of agony went though his neck. Colors flashed in his vision. He gasped and thudded back down. Chris took shaky breaths, but they felt forced and painful, causing the terrible pain in his neck to grow and wane with each one.

He looked around again. Someone was standing there. With all the fog in his head, he couldn't really note their outfit, but they appeared to be wearing a red-and-white ninja suit. And there was a dragon. Wait... what?