Dragons of the Unknown

Chapter 3

-Beep- -beep- -beep- My alarm wakes me and I roll over to see it's 6 o'clock. With my alarm turned off I get up, have a shower get dressed and before I know it I’m ready for school. I go downstairs and just watch outside the window. All is quiet and the sun is starting to rise throwing all kinds of shadows across the pavement from the houses. There are a few birds chirping in the early morning from the nearby trees. The sky is clear and the air is warm. I turn around and look at the clock on the wall. It says 6:45. Due to being ready extra early and the beautiful morning, I decided it would be a great day to walk to school. I go to my dad's room and find him watching his tv.

“You’re already ready?” He gives me a look that hints he might think I’m crazy for being up this early. I laugh.

“Yes, dad I’m ready. I’ve looked outside and it's actually really nice weather. I’m going to walk to school today.”

“Okay sweetheart make sure to bring your phone with you, would you still like me to pick you up tonight?” 

“Yes please, see you this arvo,” I give him a wave and he waves back. I head down the hallway, pick up my bag and phone and head to the front door. Just as I’m about to turn the knob a thought crosses my mind. I go back to my dad's room not looking forward to what I’m about to tell him. When I enter his room again he sees my serious expression and straight away puts his show on pause.

“Is everything okay Serena?” He asks with a semi concerned look. I sway slightly with the nervous energy running through me and decide to just get it over with.

“Okay,” I let out a deep sigh and continued. “Recently strange things have been happening to me and I ah… I’m pretty sure it’s puberty…” 

His face goes red obviously not expecting this turn in the conversation, but his expression is one of doubt. “Umm... Why do you thi-”

I interrupt him not wanting this awkward moment to last or hear him actually say the words. “ I think it's THAT because I haven’t you know… gotten any telltale signs that I’m aware of yet, besides the weird things happening to me and around me. It’s as if I’m in the middle of a storm and I’m changing both physically and mentally so yeah…”

He seems speechless for a second contemplating what I said and as the silence drags on I get more and more uncomfortable. A moment later a startled expression lightens my dad's expression as if he has figured something not only very strange but terrifying, almost. He must have finally believed what I had told him. Not wanting to talk with him about this anymore I hastily make my way towards the door murmuring a goodbye. A second later I hear my dad calling after me. 

“Serena! Serena! Come back now we need to talk about this! It’s important!” His voice almost sounds panicked as I run down the stairs, but I don’t stop, I can’t, it's just too embarrassing. Anyway, he probably only sounds panicked because he must be embarrassed as well. I bang the front door open and slam it closed as I run further from home. Quickly my dad's voice disappears into the air, and instead, he starts calling my phone. I slow down from a run to a walk. I turn my buzzing phone silent. Why is he this eager to talk to me about puberty? He sounded so… frantic. Thoughts filter through my head on my way to school but I ignore them, as well as turning off my phone. A slight shiver of uneasiness runs through me for a second before it passes. With my earphones in my ears playing pop, I walk at a steady pace towards my school. Gravel crunches under my shoes as I pass by regular old houses. Soon enough I reach my destination. Entering the gates I take a deep breath and prepare myself for yet another long day at school. I go and say hi to each of my friends doing the normal morning routine. However while I’m doing this something just doesn’t feel right, but I shake it off. I hang out with Tina and Sarah until the bell goes, then we all head out to the homeroom. I stare at the front of the room, into the empty air. Homeroom goes quickly but as soon as classes start it feels as if everything is dragging. Something is not right, it’s an ache in my bones I just can’t ignore. While in class I barely talk to anyone, even when they ask me questions. It's the second period and I don’t know what’s happening to me, is it puberty? Ever since I’d left home this morning, I’ve felt so… wrong. A dull headache has plagued me since the confrontation with my dad, and now it’s as if every muscle and bone in my body aches. It’s probably just my worry that I’ll be seeing my dad this afternoon. I wonder what he thinks about this. He’ll get his chance to tell me when he picks me up. I let out a quiet groan at the idea of seeing my dad after this morning. The people closest to me glance in my direction, and I go completely quiet. I should just not think about it, and finish the day of school. I daydream for the rest of the class until the bell for recess goes. I sit through recess much the same as the first two classes- just nodding my head and not paying attention to anything. Then it's the 3rd period and I’m handing in my visual arts assessment. It’s a painting of a bowl of fruit on an A3 canvas. Supposedly this assessment was to help us with size, shapes and tones. When my teacher Mrs Anoochy collects my assessment she gives it a quick look and nods her head in appreciation of my work. She continues and her dark chocolate skin reflects the light. She has always been my favourite teacher, she seems the most compassionate and sensitive towards the students. The class finishes quickly and I move onto the 4th period, and music goes by fast. It’s as if my life has become a blur, and before I know it, the bells signifying home time rings. I leave the homeroom in a daze, remembering the “discussion” with my dad this morning. Now when he picks me up I must face the consequences of my honesty and hope things don’t get wired. I sit down at the front of the school on a bench and wait for my father. All-day I have felt off, and it hasn’t improved. It's a sense of foreboding coating my bones in aches. Time passes and my skin starts to cool as the sun descends. Where is my dad? He was supposed to arrive 45 minutes ago. I try calling him, but his phone goes straight to voicemail. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, something must be wrong. I got up and ran to the nearest bus stop, maybe he fell asleep and forgot to set up an alarm. I try not to panic as I don’t know if anything’s actually happened. I see the bus and dash on and sit down. The ride home feels like it stretches on for hours when in reality it must have been 20 minutes at most. My stop gets close, and I hop off, keeping my pace even and stride long. Every heartbeat ricochets through my ear kennel, every breath is rapid and laced with panic. I know something isn’t right, he didn’t pick me up or answer his phone. He has always been a responsible parent. The place I’ve called home my entire life is now in view. I stop for a second on the side of the street ignoring everything around me; from the cars to the wildlife and close my eyes. I take one big breath and let it out slowly. Nothing is wrong. I tell myself because after all, we are just a normal family, nothing special ever happens. Opening my eyes I continue to control my fear and walk with measured steps towards my house. The breeze that was present only a minute ago has vanished, everything is still as I creep forward. As the pavement shifts to our lawn, the feel of the spongy grass under me binds me to reality. Every step brings me closer to the front door and an unknown knowledge I’m not ready for. I swing my school bag from my shoulders and bring it to rest on the ground in front of me, fishing for my keys. Once I find them I reach for the door to unlock it… but it's already open. A newfound panic rushes through me, but I push on leaving my bag behind me. Pushing the wood further open it's a disaster inside. A bookshelf is tipped on its side it’s previous contents littering the floor. Further investigating the damage, I see the kitchen is a wreck; as is the rest of downstairs. I call out to my father, hoping, no, needing a response. Nothing comes. Bounding up the stairs two at a time, I rush towards my dad's room. Not even stopping to survey the rest of our house. “Dad! Dad!” My voice goes up an octave with my ever-increasing panic and horror. Reaching his door it's open if only slightly. Maybe he’s just fallen asleep, and cannot hear me? I push it all the way open and what I see stops me in my tracks, the room looks ragged but not as torn up as downstairs. However, that is not what causes the lump in my throat. On his bed, where he laid this morning when I spoke to him, there is blood; not enough to have bled dry but enough for concern. I carefully examine the rest of the house, my mind somehow stuck in time. Nothing makes sense, what could have happened? Downstairs is torn apart, someone must have broken in looking for something. We don’t own much of worth, but a burglar wouldn’t know that. They would have pick locked the door and damaged through the house and when they came upstairs realised they were not alone. My heart sets a steady beat loud in my ears, but everything else is quiet. Knowing that I must do something I go back outside and pick up my bag. Fishing through it I find my phone and call 000. Each ring as I wait to be answered feels like a millennium, and in my single-mindedness, in calling 000 I forget what I was going to say as they pick up. 

"Hello, this is triple zero, what is your emergency, and what services do you need; police, ambulance or fire and rescue?"

For a second I just stand there and breathe, with the still of the atmosphere around me. However the next moment the spell is broken and I stutter out, "ah-ambulance? No um- police. Yeah, I need the police- I think." 

As if hearing the question in my voice she continues questioning me.

"Miss, would you mind telling me briefly what happened so I can direct you to the right service?"

However before I have time to answer them, I see something move from the corner of my eye. Turning my head in silence I see it's just the shadows cast by the sun fading behind the trees.

“My-my dad he…” but I let my voice fade when I hear footsteps approaching from behind me. I turn fast towards the street and see a man as he walks in my direction. Immediately I forget about my phone and turn it off, and arrange myself into a position hoping I can adequately defend myself. However, as he comes closer, he doesn’t seem threatening. His muscled arms lay hanging at his sides, and as I search his face his brown eyes are nothing but kind and concerned. 

“Hello, Miss, are you okay?” I stare at him for a moment debating whether I should respond to this stranger, but something about him just makes me feel safe despite his bulky build.

“Yes, I am thank you.” I start to say but think better of it, maybe this person can help me find my father. “Actually, not really. It seems someone has broken into my house and I cannot find my dad anywhere.” I pause for a moment trying to calm my heart and forget about the raging grief. “Who are you?” I ask.

“Sorry, I should have started with introducing myself. I’m Quinton. I’m sorry about your dad, this must be very upsetting, are you Serena Skarlet.” I pause for a moment considering his response. Wait, how does he know my name? I look at him sceptically for a moment as I reply, taking a slight step backwards into my bag.

“Yes I am she, can I help you?” My voice rises in pitch, almost as if the panic festering inside is too much. Noticing my distress he also takes a step back, his hands rising in surrender.

“Sorry, Miss Skarlet I do not mean to make you scared. There is a lot you do not understand, but I would like to explain it to you. About you, you’re parents-”

“My parents? Do you know what happened to my dad? I’m so worried about him. I think he’s been hurt.” He gives me a regretful smile.

“Yes, I wish to explain as much as I can. However now is not the time, it’s not safe here. Whoever took your father may come back for more- for you. I simply cannot let that happen, could you please come with me?”

“Go with you where?” I ask. “My father, the house. I need to get in contact with the police so they can figure it all out.” He shakes his head at me.

“You really do not understand. The police cannot help you with this. It is a matter for the supernatural.” I stare at him for a moment, truly thinking I have lost my mind. Supernatural? I must have heard him wrong or the panic has done its damage and I’m in shock.

“Sorry, did you say supernatural?” He lets out a now impatient sigh.

“Yes, as I said it is much you don't understand. There is such a thing as the supernatural, but that does not matter now. I need to take you somewhere safe then I can explain it all to you, and we can learn about what happened with your father.” I give him an incredulous look, knowing that this should all sound crazy. I know this is all it is in the world, nothing past what we see but something deep inside me tells me I should trust this young man. I give him another full scan, from his black hair and brown eyes, down his muscular body covered by close-fitted clothing to his joggers. As if seeing the hesitation resonating in me, he looks me dead in the eyes. I immediately noticed that I had been hyperventilating, and it calms.

“I promise you everything is going to be okay, although complicated. I know a lot of things about your family, not just your father.

I stop breathing for just a moment, but I’ve made my decision.

“Where are we going?”  He gives me a rueful smile exposing his pearly white teeth.

“I’ve got a car the street over, it's a couple of hours driving inland, it's very rural. It should be safe for you.” I nod my head and follow him to a black mustang. In silence, he goes into the driver's side, and I slip into the passenger's side. Just as he is about to step on the accelerator a realisation hits me.

“How old are you?” He gives me a look that says ‘seriously’. “Look although you may have forgotten that we just met, I have not. Besides, you are about to drive, and I don't want to be stuck in a car with you if you are not the legal age.” Then he simply laughs at me.

“I’m 17, cool down.” After that, we descend back into silence and he starts the car. Minutes of driving later he turns up the radio and music plays slowly. Closing my eyes, pictures of the day slide through my mind. First, the look on my dads face when I confided in him about my potential puberty, sitting with my friends, waiting for the bus, the mess downstairs, and the blood on my dad's sheets, then lastly this stranger. He seemed trustworthy enough, who else was there? He seemed to be a genuine gut, but when he mentioned the supernatural… How can it be true? Is it even true or have I just written away my soul to a lunatic, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow? The rise and fall of the car lull me into a doze.

... 

Lightning strikes next to me and I jump, unleashing a startled shout. I bring up my masculine arms to keep balance as the feeling of euphoria rushes through me. As the next flash strikes, I calm. This is normal, this life, its change, it's new, it's not wrong. I smile and sudden power builds in me, opening my rough hand's sparks fly. This is me. A calm settles across the valley I’m standing in until a c***k sends the ground rumbling. Closing my eyes, I breathe deep and release the pent up anxiety of my first. Feeling the presence of my elder as the ground continues to shake, I force my eyes to his. His slitted eyes stare back.

“This is your life, all that you have prepared for. You may have now become a true man, but you will always be inferior to me.” I look down so he knows of my compliance. My muscular legs tense, and the ground shakes fiercely.

I'm jolted from my nap, my limbs still feeling heavy. Opening my eyes, I cannot help but notice Quinton's legs flex as he is driving. Legs that match that of my odd dream persona. Weird. I hear a throat clear and I glance up. He stares back for a moment, turning only to focus on the quiet road ahead.

“Are you okay Serena?” He asks politely.

“Yeah sorry, weird dream.” He smiles like he knows something I don't.

“Okay then I’m sure it's nothing to worry about, you should shut your eyes and get some sleep we will not be at our destination for a while.” I nod silently, cause sure enough my eyelids are still heavy from the exhaustion of the day’s crazy events. Closing them the only things I notice is the seat belt digging into my waist and the cold glass of the window as full into a deep sleep.