Solitude with dragons

In the heart of the sprawling Everwood Forest, there lived a young man named Jake. Jake was the kind of guy who thrived in his own company, a true lover of solitude. His days were spent wandering the dense woods, listening to the rustle of leaves, and soaking up the serenity that only nature could provide. However, Jake's world of peace was about to take an unexpected turn.

One lazy afternoon, as Jake strolled through his favorite part of the forest—a hidden glade surrounded by ancient oaks—he stumbled upon something extraordinary. Lying in the middle of the glade was a shimmering, scaled creature. It was a dragon, but not the fierce, fire-breathing kind you read about in fairy tales. This dragon was small, about the size of a large dog, and looked more like it had just hatched than anything else.

Jake froze, his heart pounding. He'd heard legends of dragons, but he never thought he'd see one in real life. The dragon, noticing Jake, blinked its large, golden eyes and let out a soft, almost cat-like purr. Cautiously, Jake approached and extended his hand. The dragon sniffed his fingers and then nudged them gently with its snout.

"Well, hello there," Jake said, feeling a mix of awe and excitement. "What are you doing here all alone?"

The dragon, of course, didn’t answer. But it seemed to understand Jake's friendly intentions and allowed him to sit beside it. Over the next few hours, Jake discovered that the dragon loved to be scratched behind its ears and was particularly fond of the wild berries that grew nearby. They spent the rest of the day in each other's company, Jake talking softly about anything and everything while the dragon listened intently, occasionally letting out a contented rumble.

Days turned into weeks, and Jake's solitary life began to change. Every morning, he’d find the dragon waiting for him in the glade. They’d explore the forest together, with the dragon flying overhead, its iridescent scales glinting in the sunlight. Jake named the dragon Ember, inspired by the creature’s fiery spirit and the warm glow of its scales.

Ember quickly became Jake’s best friend, a companion who shared his love for the quiet, simple life. They developed a routine—exploring new parts of the forest, swimming in the crystal-clear lake, and sitting by the campfire at night, where Jake would tell Ember stories about far-off lands and mythical creatures.

One evening, as they sat by the fire, Jake noticed a change in Ember. The dragon seemed restless, its eyes scanning the sky as if searching for something. Jake's heart sank at the thought of losing his newfound friend.

"What's wrong, Ember?" he asked softly.

Ember let out a soft whine and nudged Jake’s hand before looking back at the sky. Suddenly, a distant roar echoed through the forest. Jake looked up to see a group of larger dragons flying overhead. Ember’s eyes lit up, and it let out an excited cry.

Jake realized that these were Ember’s kin. He felt a pang of sadness but knew that he couldn’t keep Ember from where it truly belonged.

“You have to go, don’t you?” Jake said, his voice thick with emotion.

Ember nuzzled Jake one last time before spreading its wings and taking off into the night sky, joining the other dragons. Jake watched until they disappeared, a bittersweet smile on his face.

The forest felt different without Ember, quieter somehow. But Jake knew that his time with the dragon had changed him. He no longer felt the same kind of loneliness that he once did. Ember had shown him that even in solitude, you could find companionship and joy in the most unexpected places.

Jake continued his wanderings, carrying the memory of Ember with him. And every so often, he’d look up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of a familiar, shimmering figure, a reminder that he was never truly alone.