Hereafter

Part 1: Ulrik

Ulrik dreamt that he was flying over the mountain tops, higher than the clouds. He ran his hand through the fluffy mists. It was thick yet so soft. It was like running his hands through butter. The air was so clean. He felt so alive, and it all felt so real.

He wondered if this is what a flying dragon felt. The world looked so small and far away. Up here he could escape the world, escape reality if only for a sweet moment.

Unfortunately, reality always returned with a swift kick to the stomach. Ulrik suddenly lost control. He was falling. The ground was fast approaching, but just before he hit solid ground, he jolted from his slumber. He was only dreaming, but he really did feel like he just crashed to the ground.

Ulrik checked his watch. It read 47:17. His 48 hours were almost up. He needed to take his medicine soon, but his parents hadn’t come back yet. They were still in the nearby building searching for food and more medicine.

The building was covered in weeds but still very much intact. Some sort of school he guessed based on the brokedown school bus and playground out front.

Wait a second... Where’s Rowan?

Ulrik’s baby brother Rowan was supposed to be playing on the playground but was nowhere to be seen. He must’ve wandered off while Ulrik was sleeping. He was supposed to be keeping an eye on him while his parents searched the building.

‘He’s only two years old.’ Ulrik thought. ‘He couldn’t have gone very far.’

Ulrik checked around the building first. No sign of him. The only other place he could’ve gone was the forest in front of the school.

His stomach still ached. He hadn’t taken his medicine yet. Ulrik checked his watch again: 47:23. Still had half an hour before the real pain started. He’d have to take his medicine when he got back. If his parents found out he lost Rowan, he wouldn’t need to worry about taking the medicine. They’d kill him. Ulrik ran into the forest to search for Rowan.

“Rowan!” he called out. “Rowan! Where are you!?”

The school could no longer be seen, and Ulrich didn’t notice how low the sun was getting until he saw the mountain’s shadow covering most of the valley. He pressed on with a greater sense of urgency.

It didn’t feel like he’d been searching very long, but he checked his watch again: 47:49.

“What?” he exclaimed. His time was almost up.

The pain in his stomach was spreading to his chest and legs. Soon it’d course throughout his whole body, and he wouldn’t be able to move. Then the convulsions would start. Then… Honestly, Ulrik didn’t know what happened after that. Death, he assumed. Panic was setting in and he began to regret not taking his pill.

In that same moment, he heard a faint laugh, a baby's laugh. It was coming from his left over a little hill. “Rowan!” he shouted with relief, as he ran toward the sound.

He still had time, he thought. The 48 hours aren’t always strict. If they ran fast enough, maybe they could still make it back before the sickness took complete control of him.

Ulrik reached the hill and started climbing over it. “Rowan! I’m so glad that I found yo-"

He stopped dead in his tracks. Rowan wasn’t alone. He was laughing and playing with a dragon. They were so rare that Ulrik hardly believed they were real.

The dragon appeared unaware of Ulrik’s presence. It kept its focus on the baby playing with its tail. It didn’t seem bothered by Rowan’s presence, nor did it look intent on eating him. The creature seemed content to keep playing with the child. Could it be playing with its food? Ulrik didn’t want to stay long enough to find out.

Ulrik’s weight shifted, and a twig snapped. Suddenly the dragon turned in alarm towards him. Rowan looked at him as well and smiled. “Look Uyrik.” Rowan babbled. “Dragin.”

Ulrik didn’t know what to do. He just stood there afraid that any sudden movement would provoke the dragon to attack. Or worse, fly off with Rowan still clutching its tail.

The dragon, recognizing it was in no immediate danger, promptly wrapped its tail around Rowan and placed him on a nearby trunk. Then eyed Ulrik, slowly walking towards him.

Ulrik still couldn’t move. Shock and nervousness filled his stomach along with the… wait a second. The pain, it was still there but it wasn’t getting worse like it usually does. In fact, he hardly felt it. That was new. Was it the shock or something else?

Before he knew it, the dragon was standing right in front of him, its face only a couple feet from his. Ulrik could feel the dragon’s breath on him. But he didn’t feel threatened. He actually felt the opposite. He felt calm. Almost like he was dreaming again. The dragon stared at him, but it didn’t look hungry. Its eyes were friendly. Almost like he was greeting an old friend.

Ulrik reached out to touch the dragon’s snout, but before he could, he heard his father shouting. “Ulrik!”

The dragon turned to his father and screeched. Rowan started crying as his dad picked up a large stick and charged. Before he could reach it, the dragon spread its wings and took flight, billowing gusts of wind that nearly knocked them off their feet. It let out another ear numbing screech and flew to the clouds.

Moments later, the dragon could no longer be seen or heard. Ulrik’s dad shook from his stupor and went to pick up Rowan. His mom could be heard in the distance. “Ragnar! Ulrik! Ragnar, where are you?”

“Over here.” Ragnar replied.

Ragnar walked over to where Ulrik was and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you ok?” He asked.

Still in shock, Ulrik looked up at his father and nodded.

“Best that we don’t tell your mother about this.” Ragnar said. “Wouldn’t want her to worry more than she already has about you two.”

Ulrik looked down in shame. “Dad. I’m sorry. I lost Rowan and- “

Ragnar knelt down to Ulrik’s eye level and cut him off with a hug. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, I’m just glad that you’re both ok. If your mother asks, you’ve already been punished and leave it at that. I think after coming face to face with a dragon you’ve been punished enough.”

“But dad, the dragon- “

“Was lucky that I wasn’t armed.” Ragnar interjected. “And you’re lucky that I showed up when I did. Another minute, you and Rowan would’ve been dinner.”

“But dad, the dragon didn’t mean any harm. I think that it only wanted to be my friend. The dragon was good.”

Ragnar looked Ulrik dead in the eye. “Listen to me Ulrik. That dragon is no different than the rest of its kind. If you come across one, you either run away from it or you run it through. There’s no such thing as a good dragon.”

As Ragnar stood up, Ulrik’s mother, Quorra, came running over the hill and gave him a bear hug. “Oh, thank goodness!” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re ok. What happened?”

“Nothing serious it turns out.” Ragnar responded. “These two little rascals just decided to take a little stroll in the woods is all.”

She stood up and glanced at their surroundings. “I thought I heard something.” She replied. “A roar of some kind.”

“It was nothing.” Ragnar said. “Must’ve been the wind playing tricks on us.”

Quorra didn’t seem to believe him but accepted it for the time being. She reached into her backpack and pulled out the medicine bottle and canteen. “It’s time for your medicine.” She said, handing both to Ulrik. He swallowed the pill with a sip of water. “If the clock says 48, you come find me. Best not to tempt fate the next time you decide to go for a walk.”

Ulrik nodded in agreement and gave the medicine and canteen back to her. It was funny though. Now that the ordeal was over, the pain slowly returned to his stomach. He wasn’t sure, but Ulrik was starting to think that there was more to dragons than meets the eye. Despite what his father said about them.

“Sun’s gone down.” Ragnar said. “It’ll be completely dark soon. Let’s get back and set up camp. We’ll take shelter inside the school for the night.”

Quorra nodded in agreement. She grabbed Ulrik by the hand and they headed back the way they came.

The medicine was starting to relieve the pain in Ulrik’s body. It never completely left him, but at least now it was bearable. The bottle only had a few pills left. Sooner or later, they would run out. And when that happens… Ulrik didn’t want to think about that. All he could think about was the dragon.

Part 2: Quorra

Ulrik was sound asleep on the floor, next to their campfire. Ragnar sat nearby shifting the burning logs with a stick, causing the firelight to flicker and dance off the walls. Quorra held baby Rowan in her arms, rocking him as he slumbered. She held him tight, not wanting to let go for fear of him disappearing as he did earlier today.

Quorra looked at Ragnar to study him. He had a look of worry on his face. She wasn’t sure though if it had anything to do with Ulrik’s sickness and their dire situation or if it was because of what happened a couple hours ago in the forest. Something happened out there, and she was fairly certain that it had nothing to do with the wind.

“What happened out there today, Ragnar?” she asked softly. “I know you’re not telling me the whole story. Were our sons in any serious danger?”

Ragnar looked up from the flames and responded. “I told you, nothing happened. It was the wind.”

Quorra, of course, knew he was lying but didn’t pressure him. She knew his reasons for not telling her were only to protect her from worrying too much, which of course made her worry more.

That was her job though as a mother. She could never truly stop worrying about her children. No matter how old they were, she only wanted what was best for them and to keep them safe.

Their search in the building earlier proved pointless. They found a few cans of preserved food, but no medicine in any of the rooms. Things were not going as they had hoped.

“We’re running out of time, Ragnar.” She muttered. “We only have a few of the good pills left. There’s still plenty of the other medicines, but all of it put together won’t be enough to keep him alive for more than a week. Two at best.”

Ragnar looked down at Ulrik, who was still sound asleep. Ulrik was only ten years old. He shouldn’t have survived this long given his current condition. He should have died a long time ago.

It was only thanks to a traveling doctor they met a few years ago that he was still alive. When he prescribed a couple bottles of pills, Ulrik’s condition significantly improved. At first each pill would stave off his symptoms for a week at a time. In the last few months, they seemed to be having less effect. Now lasting no more than 48 hours. He was getting worse.

“We just have to keep going. We have no other choice. We’ll find help soon. We have to.”

“We’ve been traveling for more than two months now, Ragnar.” She stated. “We’ve seen no one since we left home and found little to no medicine for Ulrik.”

“What do you suggest we do then?” Ragnar asked, the pain in his voice almost too much to bear. “Give up on our son? Let him die?”

“I’m not suggesting that at all, but the chances of finding a doctor in the next couple of weeks are slim.” It killed her to say any of this, but it was the truth. “Ulrik’s tired Ragnar, we’re all tired. No one wants our son to live more than me, but I don’t want his last moments with us to be wasted on the road in search of a cure that may not exist.”

“I’ll hear no more!” Ragnar spat. “We’ll find a doctor and they’ll cure him. They have to.”

‘Have to’ he said again, almost like he was trying to force fate to bend to his will. He knew Quorra spoke the truth, but he was too afraid to face it.

“We leave at first light.” He continued. “Best that you get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us. I’ll take first watch.” Quorra nodded hesitantly and laid her head down to rest.

She hated arguing with Ragnar, especially in front of the children. How much longer before he comes to terms with Ulrik’s sickness. He was dying and they were doing all they could to save him. Were they only making him suffer, prolonging his death rather than helping him find peace? Was she wrong in wanting to stay in one place for the remainder of Ulrik’s days? These were her last thoughts as exhaustion took over.

* * *

The wheels rattled as they continued east, following the morning sun. Quorra and Ragnar pulled the handcart down the trail while Rowan and Ulrik laughed and played together. She loved hearing her children laugh. It was almost enough to make her forget Ulrik’s condition and everything else wrong with the world.

Several days had passed since the incident at the school. As she feared, each day passed with no luck in their search for food, medicine, or other people. As every day had been since they left home a couple months ago. Every once in a while, they would come across an abandoned town or demolished city, but no medicine was to be found. Nor was there a human in sight. At least there weren’t any dragons.

“Ulrik.” Quorra called out. “What does the clock say?”

Ulrik looked at his watch and called back. “13:31.”

Quorra never checked the clock to tell what time it was anymore. Only to see how much longer Ulrik had until he needed to take his pills.

“How are you feeling?” She asked.

Ulrik just shrugged. “Ok, I guess. It doesn’t hurt right now.”

“Pay attention to the time and let me know when it does start to hurt, ok?”

Ulrik nodded and went back to playing.

Ulrik usually didn’t need reminding, but since losing him at the school, she was keeping a much closer eye on him. She didn’t want to let him or Rowan out of her sight.

When the sun reached about midday, they stopped for a quick meal and pressed on till sundown. Not much was said between Quorra and Ragnar. They were both still pretty upset about their conversation a few nights ago.

They set up camp after the sun went down and settled in for the night. Quorra opened the medicine bottle and looked inside. Two pills left. Despite the bottle losing a pill every couple of days, it got heavier each time it did.

“Please.” She quietly muttered, hoping that if there was a greater force out there that controlled the universe listening, it would hear her prayer. “Let tomorrow be different. Bring us someone that can help our son. Please.” No response. All she could do now was hope that her prayer was heard, and that tomorrow would really be different. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Quorra awoke to Ragnar shaking her shoulder. “Wake up. There’s smoke to the north of here. Not far from us.”

Quorra lifted up her head and saw the smoke. ‘Dragons?’ she thought. Then she smelled it. ‘Hot bread. Not a dragon. A homestead. People!’ Her prayers were answered.

“Ulrik. Rowan. Wake up!” She exclaimed. “Gather your things, we need to check out where that smoke is coming from.”

“Is it people?” Ulrik asked. “Can they help us?”

“I certainly hope so.” She gushed. “Now hurry! The sooner we get there the better.”

Within minutes, the handcart was packed, and they were on the move. They were moving so fast they might as well have been running. They reached a small clearing in no time and in the middle of it, sat a rundown shack, smoke rising from the chimney. The smell of warm bread was stronger there. ‘At last!’ she thought to herself. ‘At last, we found somebody.’ They didn’t see anyone in the clearing. Inside the shack was the only place they could be.

“Hello!” Ragnar called out. “Is anybody home?”

No response. Perhaps no one was home. They needed to get a closer look.

They pulled the handcart up to the front door of the shack and set it down. Cautiously, Ragnar stepped forward and knocked on the door. Before the second knock, they were spooked by a voice from around the corner. “What are you doing here?”

An older man holding a shotgun was aiming right at them, along with a couple teenagers, two boys, holding bows and arrows. The front door opened, showing a woman pointing a knife at them. Three children could be seen hiding behind her skirt, one boy and two girls. A large family, but they didn’t look unfriendly despite all the weapons. The children inside appeared frightened more than dangerous. Same with the teenagers. Clearly, they didn’t like unwelcome guests.

“I asked you a question, stranger.” Said the older man. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

Ragnar lifted up his hands. “Take it easy there friend.” He replied. “We mean you no harm.”

“Everyone that passes through these parts means us harm.” Barked the older man. “I ask again: who are you and what are you doing here?”

“We really mean you no harm.” Quorra sputtered. “We’re looking for someone. A doctor. If we can’t find one here, then perhaps some medicine. Our boy is si-"

“Lies!” Shouted the older man. “There ain’t no such thing as doctors anymore, and if there were, they’d be harder to find than a dragon.” The old man looked past Ragnar and Quorra at the children and their handcart. No doubt wondering what valuables they had.

“Take the two boys inside Ula.” The old man said to the woman inside. “Danton and Maris, take the ma and pa around back and tie them to the tree. We’ll settle the matter there.”

The two teenagers stepped forward and restrained Quorra and Ragnar. Ula stepped out of the house and picked up Rowan and Ulrik, taking them into the house and closing the door behind her. While the older man kept the shotgun on them, Danton and Maris escorted them around back toward a couple of trees.

After securing Quorra and Ragnar to the two trees, Danton and Maris stepped back behind the old man. They kept their bows at the ready in case of any trouble. The old man stepped forward. “My name is Oren. These are my boys whose names you already know. Now who might you be?”

“My name is Ragnar.” He replied. “This is my wife, Quorra. Please sir, we’re just trying to find some help for our son.”

“Your son.” Oren muttered. “Which son would that be?”

“The older one. His name is Ulrik.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“We don’t know.” Quorra replied. “All we know is that if he doesn’t take his pills by sundown tonight, he could die.”

“So why do you need a doctor?” Oren asked. “If you got the magic pills, why go looking for one? Seems to me you have plenty of medicine in that cart of yours.”

“Half of them have zero effect on him and the other half barely keep him alive for more than a few hours at a time.” Ragnar explained.

“We only have one bottle left with two pills in it that actually keep him alive.” Quorra added. “He needs to take one before sundown or else he could die.”

“Could die?” Oren interjected. “So, you don’t know for certain”

“We never let it get that far.” Ragnar argued. “His stomach starts to hurt when he feels it and from there it spreads.”

“Your kid seemed fine to me.”

“That’s because he took a pill a couple nights ago. He needs to take one every 48 hours before it starts to hurt.”

“Then it seems to me that he has till sundown to corroborate your story.”

“By then it could be too late.” Quorra insisted. “Look, the pills are in my backpack along with a canteen. It should be at the front of the cart. Take it to him the moment he starts to hurt, and he’ll take care of the rest.”

“I’ll do no such thing.” Oren denied. “For all I know, you have a gun in there and he’ll use it the moment we have our backs turned.”

“Then search it for all I care!” Ragnar yelled. “I did not come all this way just to watch my son die.”

“Then your story better be true.” Oren noted. “Guess we’ll know by sundown.”

Quorra looked at him in disappointment. “How could a man be so cruel and allow an innocent child to suffer?”

Oren looked at her with equal disappointment. “Believe me lady, you would do the same thing as me if you had seen what I’d seen and suffered as I suffered.”

Suddenly the back door to the shack burst open. Ula came running out in haste. “Oren! It’s the boy. Something’s wrong with him.”

Oren looked at Ragnar in anger. “You said we had till sundown.”

“We’re supposed to.” Ragnar replied. “Lately it’s been getting worse.”

Oren grunted in frustration and motioned for the boy on his left, Danton, to cut Ragnar down. “No funny business.” He warned. “You try anything, your boy will die for sure.”

On that note, the three of them rushed into the house and shut the door behind them. Quorra turned to Maris. “Cut me loose.” She demanded. Maris didn’t respond. “They’re running out of time. If we don’t get my son his medicine right now, he’s going to die.”

Maris was growing uneasy. Quorra could tell he was starting to believe them.

“Please!” She begged him. “He’s my son! He’s my son!”

They locked eyes and Maris could see the tears running down her face. After a moment of hesitation, he drew his knife and cut her down.

Quorra took off running and prayed with all her might that she wasn’t too late.

Part 3: Ragnar

Ragnar burst through the door with Oren and Danton close behind him. Ulrik was shaking violently on the floor and foaming at the mouth. The sickness had taken control.

Without a moment of hesitation, Ragnar ran to him and tried to calm him. “It’s ok Ulrik.” He lied. “Everything’s going to be ok. You’ll be alright.”

Turning to Oren he shouted. “We need his medicine!”

No one dared to move. Ula held Rowan in her arms and everyone else looked terrified. The scene of a dying sick child must’ve been a horrible thing to witness, but they didn’t have time to dawdle. Ragnar needed to save his son.

“Somebody help me please!” Ragnar begged, tears filling up his eyes. Ulrik was starting to go pale. He didn’t have very long.

At that moment, Quorra and Maris burst through the front door, backpack in hand. Quorra sprang to action grabbing Ulrik by the arms. “Help me get him to the table.”

Ragnar grabbed Ulrik by the legs and they lifted him onto the table. Oren and Danton stepped forward and grabbed an arm and leg.

“Hold him down.” Oren fumbled, struggling to keep Ulrik still.

Quorra pulled the medicine from her backpack and tried to get him to swallow but it proved to be equally as challenging as holding him still. With each attempt, Ulrik spit it out and would occasionally break an arm or leg free from their hold. In a last desperate attempt, Quorra jammed the pill in his mouth and held her hand there to prevent him from spitting it out.

Ulrik gave one final push against his restraints then stopped moving. He still looked very pale. He didn’t appear to be breathing.

Ragnar checked for a pulse but couldn’t find one. Something was wrong. Why wasn’t the pill working?

“Ulrik?” Quorra asked. “Ulrik, open your eyes.” No response. They were too late.

“Oh, no.” Ragnar choked out. “No, no, no!”

Ragnar crumpled to his knees and could not hold back his tears. Quorra held Ulrik’s face and sobbed. They failed him. He couldn’t save his son. He promised him he would.

Ragnar stood and carried his son outside but didn’t make it ten steps beyond the door before crumpling to his knees. Quorra was leaning against the door frame squeezing Rowan tightly in her arms. Ragnar tried to speak, but there were no words. Anything that escaped his lips came out as loud sobs or mumbled words that made no sense.

What would he do now? He didn’t know. All he could do was hold his son tightly and never let go.

“Look daddy.” Rowan said. “Dragin.”

A large shadow passed over them as Rowan spoke. Ragnar looked up. It was the same dragon as before. It was here to take his son away.

The others screamed while Oren ordered them to take cover. Seconds later, the dragon landed and roared. Instantly everyone fell silent.

“Ragnar!” Oren whispered. “Back away slowly. Don’t make any sudden movements.”

Ragnar was still unable to move. Any strength he had left in him, he used to hold Ulrik even tighter.

“You want him!?” Ragnar shouted at the dragon. “Try it! Try it and it’ll be the last thing you ever do! I’ll hunt you down and all your ugly winged friends!”

The dragon was unphased by his pointless threats, but Ragnar didn’t care anymore. The fear, sadness and anger had reached its limit and he wasn’t about to let a monster take away his son.

The dragon walked towards Ragnar. Its eyes weren’t focused on him though, they were focused on Ulrik. Ragnar could feel his rage dissipating. An overwhelming sense of calm overtook him. There was no reason to be afraid. Just like Ulrik said before.

The dragon lowered its snout beneath Ulrik’s hand and placed it on his chest. It nudged his face and lifted its head up. Ragnar watched closely, unsure of what to expect. Suddenly, Ulrik’s eyes fluttered open, and he took a deep breath.

Ulrik looked at Ragnar and smiled. “Hey dad.”

Ragnar hugged him and laughed joyfully. Quorra sprinted towards them and did the same. Tears streamed down their faces again, but these were happy tears. Their son was alive.

“You’re okay!” Ragnar cheered. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t feel it anymore dad.” Ulrik said. “I’m ok. Just like you said I would be.”

The dragon spread its wings and turned around to take flight.

“Wait!” Ragnar exclaimed. The dragon stopped. “I don’t know if you can understand me but thank you. Thank you.”

The dragon turned its head and locked eyes with him for a moment. The animal nodded its head in farewell and soared into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

Ulrik was right. There were good dragons out there. For once in his life, Ragnar finally believed there was more to dragons than meets the eye.

Part 4: Ulrik

Ulrik ran full speed through the open fields of tall grass, arms spread out as far as they could go. He felt like he was dreaming again, but this time, he never had to wake up. He still couldn’t believe that a dragon had cured him. The pain never returned, and he never needed to look at his watch in fear anymore.

Several days had passed since the dragon healed Ulrik. In that time, Oren made peace with Ragnar and apologized for the way they were treated. He even let them stay a few extra days and shared their food. Ulrik couldn’t remember a time when his family laughed and danced so much. It was the best time of his life.

When Ragnar and Quorra agreed it was time to return home, they packed up their camp and left.

Before they left, Oren’s family supplied them with enough food to last them a month and said their farewells. Ulrik was sad to say goodbye but was ready to return to the comforts of home. It had been a very long journey.

They were a few miles down the road when the sun reached midday. They were making good time. Ulrik didn’t care though. He had all the time in the world now.

Ulrik turned around and started running back so he could help his mom and dad pull the handcart. He barely took three steps before stopping in his tracks. Something was watching him. He could feel it.

He turned to look at the top of the tallest tree and saw a dragon. It was the same dragon that healed him a few days earlier. Ulrik waved hello and the dragon spread its wings in response.

Ulrik felt connected to that dragon. Not just because it healed him, but in a way, they were kindred spirits. Ulrik finally knew what it was like to fly, and he never wanted to come down.

He had a funny feeling that they would be seeing a lot more of each other in the coming days. Ulrik now traveled with a silent guardian to watch over him. He turned back to the handcart and ran. He couldn’t wait to get home.