The world was on fire. That was how the mighty red dragon wanted it. A sea of lava surrounding him on his island of molten rock, and a flaming cosmos swirled above his head.
He absorbed the heat and serenity in utter solitude. Neither predator nor prey could survive the fire like he did. He lifted his head in pride at the thought. He was the last living creature in all the world.
He did not care how he would eat. He did not care how he would survive beyond this moment. He alone had lived through the carnage that had made the world his paradise, and he would enjoy it until his last breath.
A rumbling ripped through the air, causing the earth beneath the mighty red dragon to tremble. An unnatural wind whipped about, extinguishing the fire all around him and turning the lava to crust. The dragon shivered as the stars above him disappeared into complete darkness
He roared into the void, but nothing answered back.
*
The tiny red dragon awoke from his dream. He swatted at the air, trying to fight off the void that had surrounded him in his sleep. His claws made contact with a snout, and another dragon’s foot kicked him in the face.
He looked around to see, in the darkness of night, that he was surrounded by his clutch mates. The same clutch mates who beat him and made him eat the least of the scraps because he was the smallest. The same clutch mates that eyed him because their mother always snatched the fattest piece away from them and gave it to him as a treat anyway. The same clutch mates he would be stuck with until the day that they finally learned to fly and went off to start clutches of their own.
He snuggled deeper into their warmth, imagining that it was the fires at the end of the world.
Someday.
About the Creator
Stephanie Hoogstad
With a BA in English and MSc in Creative Writing, writing is my life. I have edited and ghost written for years with some published stories and poems of my own.
Learn more about me: thewritersscrapbin.com
Support my writing: Patreon
Keep reading
More stories from Stephanie Hoogstad and writers in Fiction and other communities.
The Selkie’s Skin
I can hear her searching for me downstairs. Utensils and jewelry clang against the floor as she tosses them out of every drawer imaginable. The drawers themselves land with a thud against the hardwood floor as she throws them out of their slots, desperate to find my hiding place. I can imagine her flinging her husband’s clothes through the air as she ravages his closet, hoping to find some secret compartment concealed within.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Fiction
The Hour Long Minute
I’m finally off of work from my overnight shift and now comes the hard part. I do Ride-share driving for about two or three hours after I get off of work each morning, not only to make ends meet, but to put away a little extra money for my rapidly approaching wedding.
By Earl W. Pearlabout 2 hours ago in Fiction
BARE HUNTER
CHAPTER 15 I pulled up in front of Sandy’s a little early, so I texted Becca again and left a message for Sharon, hoping she had a good day and I’d see her tomorrow. Two cars pulled into Sandy’s driveway. I don’t know why I was surprised to see another man with her. We’d been apart for two years and I certainly didn’t waste any time getting back on the horse.
By Tina D'Angelo7 days ago in Chapters
Comments (8)
Revenge is a dish best served...HOT? I like that he snuggles in and dreams of the endof the wolrd and is content with that.
Awww tiny wittle red dwagon, may your dream come true one day, sooner rather than later. Loved your story!
Wow, Brilliant piece.
Oooo I felt so sorry for the little red guy. Brilliantly crafted Stephanie and completely captivating all the way through 🤍
I love the dragon mom! Fierce little one, dream on!
Finely crafted! You pulled me in quickly and held me there. Not everyone can pull that off with a microfiction.
Are dragon dreams prophetic? 😁🤔
Nice! I was quickly invested and want more, lol.