An Unlikely Traitor

There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

That's what my mother would always say. Sometimes it seemed like she was so frustrated over that fact. I thought it was awesome. They would always be around, much more frequently than cats, dogs, or even birds. However, the dragons tended to eat them so that probably explains that.

They never posed a threat to us humans, some even lived with us, the ones small enough to fit in our cottages. And like all towns, some viewed the dragons as mere pests some even yearned for their extinction. But there were so few; no one paid them any mind. Not until the dragons left suddenly, and took hostages with them.

Leaving the Valley heartbroken with no parents left behind. The devastation they left in their wake, every mother and father gone. Regardless of the age of their children. Babies would have perished if the older teenagers did not step in to care for them. So many of us were convinced our parents were dead. There was no other possible explanation. But a few, perhaps stubborn older kids refused to accept that.

And it all started with that early Sunday. None of the young ones were awake yet when a thunderous roar disturbed the entire Valley.

***

Damian sat up abruptly, his black locks tousled and messed around his slender cocoa-colored face. He squinted around his room; his eyes resisting the urge to open fully. Though he knew it was early, he also knew his mother would already be up and about.

Damian tumbled slowly from his bed, bending at the hip to yank on his boots before exiting his room. His mother would often have something already cooking for him and his brother but the pans lay cold and untouched on the counter.

A frown wrinkled his brow as he wandered to the bedroom beside his, he opened the door quietly and peered inside to see his little brother; who was five, still asleep in his bed. Damian closed the door and headed towards his front door when it was kicked open. Damian stumbled back, barely catching himself. A friend of his, Charlie, leaned against the door she just shut; attempting to catch her breath with great difficulty.

She was built a bit more sturdy than most girls her age, with shoulders as broad as his and not a soft curve on her body except for her face; which was round with a flat nose and wide-set prominent round eyes the color of dark chocolate. She had her black hair pulled back from her face and braided down her back, though many strands had escaped.

“Damian, the dragons … they’re … they’ve left! And they took all the adults!”

“Charlie, that’s not funny. It’s too early, especially for bad jokes.”

“I’m not joking! My dad is gone, your mom, the only one who’s still here is Crazy Jerry!”

Damian just stared at Charlie in disbelief, why would they take all of the grown-ups but leave Crazy Jerry behind? What didn’t they like about him?

“What are you running from, if the dragons … are truly gone?”

Charlie looked away, an anxious expression marring her soft face.

"There were some stragglers... some that remained behind to finish the clearing of grown-ups but I didn't... well I mean I had no idea they weren't taking anyone but adults."

"You thought they were going to take you?"

"I was afraid, but I should've... I should've helped dad and now..."

Damian grabbed ahold of Charlie's shoulder and maneuvered her calmly out of his way. He yanked open the front door only to be immediately blinded by the intense shine emanating from a cloudless sky. Leaving the cottage behind he finally saw the clear path of destruction they had left in their wake. With little ones gathered in the center of the valley, screams and tears ranged by volume while the elder teenagers attempted to quiet them.

Other cottages barely stood, many were left in ruins. Fires dwindled along the path having already burnt everything in its' way. Damian turned away from the crowd, a twinge in his chest causing him to catch his breath. This was happening. He wouldn't have believed it, didn't want to believe it. A flash of something colorful shifted out of the corner of his eyes and he turned toward it, seeing a flash of vibrant sea green.

Without a second thought, he took off after it as the flash of green attempted to take flight. He took a running leap into the air, his hands outstretched in desperation. A brief flash of glee danced through his body as his fingers closed around the small scaly creature. He hit the ground hard, knocking the air from his lungs but he kept his grip tight on the cat-sized dragon.

He rolled to his back and coughed up some dirt before finding his breath and managing to sit up. He looked down at the small dragon who was hopelessly attempting to escape his grasp. It glowered up at him with yellow eyes and spit a small stream of water into his face. He flinched away instinctively but did not release the dragon.

Scrambling to his feet, he returned to his cottage where Charlie sat at his kitchen table. She stood when he shut the door; a quiet gasp leaving her mouth.

"What are you doing with that? Where did you find it?" She inquired, a wariness in her tone.

"It was in the alleyway, it was about to escape. But now it is going to help us."

"No offense Damian but why would it help us?"

"It will if it wants to stay alive." Damian sat down at the kitchen table, resting his arms on the counter; his grip iron tight as he conducted the most intense staring contest with the dragon.

"You will lead us to our parents."