The scaly skin of the beast was a dark hue of green, while its underbelly was a mixture of yellow and black. An occasional ball of fire shot out from the giant serpents nostrils. The dragons wingspan seemed twice that of a jumbo jet, and the undersides of its wings were blood red. Spikes ran along the dragons back and to the end of its tail, where two giant spikes marked the end of the tail. But the feature on the green dragon that caught Nicholas eye the most, a feature none of the other boys saw, was that the dragon was missing a toe!
Nicholas, hurry! Its coming! Tevin urged his brother.
Dont leave without me! Nicholas begged as he made a beeline for the fence.
The dragons scaly neck stretched out far above the woods. Tevin watched as its beady red eyes fixed on something that horrified him. The dragon was looking directly at Nicholas! Spreading its enormous green wings, the dragon took to the air with the speed of a missile.
Nicholas, run!
Im trying, Tevin!
Nicholas legs felt like rubber because of the adrenaline rushing through them, and his throat burned as he gasped for breath, but he knew that dragons did not just appear from thin air. The wish he had made had to be connected to the dragon. The wishing well must have granted him a wish at a great cost. Dragons breath seared at the back of his clothes, telling him the time to start panicking was already lost in the past. As Nicholas continued toward the fence, he saw Tevin waving him on desperately. Nicholas jumped at the fence as he approached the edge of the course, slipping with both feet but grabbing onto the upper level of the fence. He looked back to see the dragon approaching rapidly from the woods.
Aaaahhhhhhh!
Tevin shouted, Dont look back, Nicholas. Youre never supposed to look back!
Nicholas hissed, Too late!
Hurry! Its coming!
Nicholas threw caution to the wind and scaled the fence, but when he reached the top, his shirt snagged on a rickety section. He pulled with all his might but could not free himself. Tevins eyes widened as he saw how close the dragon was getting.
Nicholas, look out!
Tevin was thrown to the ground with the dragons momentum. Sections of the fence exploded as the dragon flew through it, catching Nicholas in its claws in the process. A fence pole slammed into Tevin, and a gaping wound opened above his eye. Nicholas fought against the claws as Tevin stood his ground and tried to fight off the dragon with the fence pole that had thrown him to the ground. But, as the dragon turned and headed back to the woods with Nicholas in tow, its tail slammed Tevin to the ground again. All Tevin could do as the dragon flew away with his brother was watch. Nicholas was helpless to struggle against the dragon. Tevin was helpless to do anything to aid his brother. The words that Nicholas had said before the dragons attack stung Tevin like a knife.
I wanted to have some time to myself. Im so sick of coming here. Im so sick of hanging out with you guys.
As Tevin watched the dragon fly off into the woods, he began to cry, thinking he would never see Nicholas again. Had the legend been true about the wishing well? Had this been Nicholas wish? To be taken away so he did not have to be with his annoying brothers? Tevin remained on the ground, watching the occasional explosion from the belly of the flying volcano that had just attacked them. He watched until the dragon carrying his brother had disappeared into the night. Not knowing where else to go, he began his trek back towards Grandma Baileys house.
Tevin walked in with every intention of going to bed with the gash over his eye still opened, but then he heard movement in the dark kitchen. A thin beam of light cut through the darkness, and Tevin knew it had to be Brandon and Cameron. He walked into the kitchen without turning on the lights.
Wheres Nicholas? Brandon asked.
The dragon got him, was the only response Tevin could muster.
Camerons eyes widened. Brandons mouth gaped open as he angled a flashlight towards Tevin. Not wanting to scare the younger ones, Tevin turned his head away to insure they could not see the gash over his eye.
What do you mean, got him? Brandon queried.
Nicholas got caught on the fence, and the dragon picked him up and flew off with him. Tevin looked at the other two with his good eye, an eerie shadow resting on the other side of his face and spoke, It flew back into the woods.
Brandon stood up and walked to the refrigerator. Tevin and Cameron looked at him as he grabbed the door to open it. Then Tevin looked just as perplexed as Cameron when Brandon started grabbing the ingredients to sandwiches.
What are you doing? Tevin asked.
Collecting supplies, was Brandons answer.
For what? Tevin asked.
For our mission.
What mission?
To go save Nick.
Tevin turned to them, revealing his wound. Both younger boys shuddered at the sight. Cameron buried his eyes under his hands. Brandon stood there looking at the small trickle of blood running down his brothers face.
Are you crazy? Tevin asked.
What happened to you? Brandon asked, not really wanting to know.
That DRAGON happened, Brandon. Tevin lowered his voice as Brandon signaled him to by holding his index finger to his lips. We cant save Nicholas, he whispered. Were just a bunch of kids. We dont stand a chance against a dragon. And who knows what else Nicholas unleashed with that wish? Its too dangerous to go outside.
Cameron uttered, But we have to save our Bubba.
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