Finding The Red Dragon

It is real!

"Ella." She heard her name through the bathroom door and groaned. "Five minutes." "We leave in ten." Sal called out. "I will be ready in five." She called back as she got out of the shower and pulled her clothes on, finger combing her hair as she pushed open the door and Sal stepped back.

"Sorry. Hangover." She groaned as she pulled on her boots and grabbed her backpack. When she looked up Sal, he was staring at her. "What?" Ella gave him a look. "I have never seen you with your hair down." "It bothers me when I am working, so I keep it up." She twisted up into a bun, threw a tie around it and then looked over her shoulder. "You coming?" She smiled and he followed.

Ella had slept most of the three-hour ride, but now, she was completely awake and so excited she could barely walk straight. They had finally gotten out of the car and were hiking the rest of the way to the site.

"It's just over the ridge." Allan pointed as she took pictures of the scenery. "You take so many pictures." Torsten grunted. "Documenting the surroundings." She shot him a smile and he shook his head. "Still too many." "Never enough." She raised the camera and took a few shots of him as he tried not to laugh.

"Remember, no information leaves this team." Allan remaindered her. "Got it. I am allowed to take photos, right?" "Yes." He nodded and she snapped his picture, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Unfortunately, there will be no digging today. This is simply to see the site and decide the best course of action." Allan watched as she trotted past him and stopped at a familiar white flower to smell it. The act was so simple, yet so captivating as Allan noticed the other two watching her intently.

"She is obsessed with the lilies." Sal groaned from beside Allan. "Shh." Ella told him as she snapped a few pictures. "My first days on a site are spent doing research anyway. Measuring, documenting, planning how to remove the bones and transport them effectively, that kind of stuff, so it is fine." She told Allan as she waited for them to show the way.

Once they pushed through the brush, she saw the roped off area that was covered by a tarp. Her body was vibrating with excitement and she took a few deep breaths. This was it. Ella held her breath as Sal and Torsten pulled back the tarp, reveling the treasure.

The breath suddenly left her lungs in what felt like a whoosh of air as she looked down at the giant skull laying in the dirt. Ella could see just the edge of the jaw, the teeth, and the socket for his eye. She watched, waiting for this perfect skull to move and look at her.

"Ella?" She heard Sal's voice and she raised her hand to show she was thinking. Then she lifted her camera and took a few photos, before kneeling to get a closer look. Timidly she reached out and ran her finger over the jaw. It was perfectly smooth and intact, and it was more solid than she expected, not fragile at all.

"Ms. Harding?" Allan asked and she looked up, feeling the tears fall down her cheeks. "It's real." She whispered. Ella knew the feel of ancient bones simply by touch, and she had no doubt these were real. "As I told you they were." Allan answered with a comforting smile.

She had so many questions, and there were so many things to do, but all she could manage was too look over the creature in awe. It was real. Right here in front of her. A real dragon skeleton.

"Why don't we give Ms. Harding some time to do her thing." Allan announced as she ran her fingertips over the bone again. This was incredible. 

"Thank you for all of this. For this opportunity, for everything. I won't let you down." "I hope not." Allan gave her a sweet smile and then walked a few meters away to stand with Torsten and Sal.