Everything seemed to fade away. All noises seemed to vanish in a split second. One moment there was sound, the next there was none. Max could feel all eyes on him. However, he ignored them. The only thing he could hear was his beating heart. Oh how he wished that he was with Snowball out in the woods right now. He wouldn't have to deal with these problems right now.
Taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly, Max pictured himself somewhere else. He was flying with Snowball over the ocean, soaring above the clouds maybe. Rolling around in the grass, just having a good time. He wanted to be there so badly. Anywhere would be better than here. Sighing, Max opened his eyes slowly.
"I'm ready."
"Open the cage," someone called. Unlike the other cages with levers, this one was opened using a crank and wheel outside the arena. A sturdy oak log was slowly pulled up from the lock holding the door shut. It was so slow that it was absolute torture. Max trembled fearfully as he kept the shield close to his chest. The cage was now unlocked. All was quiet and still.
Then the door burst open to reveal the dragon.
