“Conversations with the Dragon.”
By: Lauren. S. H.

Her little lungs and heart felt as if they were about to burst. The heat and darkness of the cave had weighed down heavily on the little girl. She stopped abruptly, put her head in her hands and wept.

Why she had wandered into that mysterious, and notably bad place, she didn’t know. Perhaps out of innocent curiosity, perhaps to escape those who taunted her so. Such are the mechanics of children. Few really remember what it was like to feel futile – more helpless than we do now – and unable to process problems, dilemmas, morals, feelings? All she knew was that she was infinitely stupid venturing down, and even more so for getting lost.

“I wish I- I had never come he-here. I want to just die!” She hiccoughed.

“What strange thoughts for such a small thing.”

The voice was powerful, not deep and grumbling, but with a charm and sophistication. Dragons are infamous for being able to coax victims into revealing details that should be left unheard. He blew lightly  and forced a flame from his throat lighting a large torch.

She gasped. “Oh no, I d-didn’t mean it. I am very happy. I have a Mummy, a-a Daddy, a sister, a brother, and a kitten all m-my own, sir.”

The beast was an overwhelming personality to say the least. He was lean, but strong. Long sinewy red limbs rested together composedly. His eyes were piercing and clever, with the look of pools of gold, accented by frills just above. His neck was lengthy and refined, and every liquid movement and word seemed grandly orchestrated.

“Then why do you bother me? You are considerably younger and much smaller than my usual patients.”

“Patients?” the little girl asked. “Then are you a doctor?”

He chuckled. “No, you blind creature! Do you know of those people who live all alone? All alone in very big houses, without anyone to keep them company? I help them.”

She had heard whispers of what they did.

“How do you do that?” That was a welcome thought.

“Why, I kill them, my dear.”

She drew back, mortified as the dragon snickered.

“What is your name, child?” The creature was lazily amused with the lightning bolt of fear that struck her.

“Lu-Lucy, sir.” Her hands trembled and began to play with the rocks that lay beside her.

“And you still have not told me why you have come here, Lucy.”

She pursed her lips tightly and shook her head.

“Oh, come now, are you frightened of me? Don’t be.” He said lightly, as five very sharp, very long claws revealed themselves. He continued with his slight laughter.

“I was – I was running from the others. I went to hide in here but my feet kept stepping. They kept stepping and I was lost and it was very dark and I kept walking and – and then I met you.” The words forced themselves out of her mouth, like a break in a dam. She hadn’t wished to tell him anything, how had they spurt so suddenly from her tight mouth? It was a terrible thought, there was nothing the great red dragon would want to know and be unable to attain.

“Ah. And why were you hiding?” He rested his head on laced hands, and stared smartly at her, like a lady waiting for a grubby piece of gossip.

“They say things to me. Mean ones.”

“What sort of things?”

“Stupid Lucy. That – I’m – I’m – plain, fat, and dull.”

“And wouldn’t it be better to die than believe and be those things? To spill your blood until your veins run dry?”

One sharp nail drew playfully closer to her dipping and diving close to her flesh. Unable to move, Lucy recoiled and shivered violently.

How lovely. The dragon hadn’t enjoyed himself so in many years. What toys children are!

“You see, little filthy thing-child, I was having a very complacent day with no dull and dismal news. As much as I offer you my thanks for what little company you provided, and I have luxuriated in it…I’m going to kill you, I think, my dear.” He leered, and smiled sickly.

A hot sweat spread across her. Her legs and arms felt uselessly numb.
“No! No, N-no! Please! Don’t do that! I don’t want to die – please, sir, please – I don’t de–“

“Oh, I’m afraid that can’t be helped.” He said perkily. “I shall snap your neck, easy as can be.  I’ll tear you open and eat your heart. But before all that – perhaps a little fun first? Oh dear – I forget. You are so little.“ he said contemptuously.

“And I suppose it is a rule that the young mustn’t suffer…extensively.”
Lucy couldn’t help but release a whimper. Her terror was beyond extreme. In the stories, she would have been rescued by a handsome nobleman by now. She felt hopeless and alone.

“I – I – I” was all she could hiccough.

“Ssh, sh, sh. Do you hear that?” The dragon cupped a long hand to his ear. “Do you hear that? Why, it’s your heart! So loud for a thing so small.”

“Please – you can’t kill m-me. P…please.” Her whole body shook as she sobbed.

“I’m sorry! It simply can’t be helped. That is…unless you can find someone else to bring to me. A new friend.”

“Oh, yes! I have someone in mind!” Lucy blurted, then covered her mouth with both hands.

“That was very, very naughty, Lucy.” She scolded herself.

“Indeed.” He inspected his sharp nails distractedly.

“But…I don’t think you want a friend. I think you will do terrible things!”

“You don’t trust me? Well then. You of all people I imagine would know what it is like to be lonely. It is desolate here. If you can bring me someone to enjoy myself with as I have today, I shall do you no harm.”

“Yes, yes. I will. I promise. May… I leave now?”

“Of course you may. You are very lucky I am a skilled listener.”

She began to scurry away.

“Ah, ah – you mean thing. Do you know what will happen if you don’t return here? The fate you have narrowly escaped will certainly not be kept from your family. I will burn each and every home until I find yours. Dragons have a very keen sense of smell in addition to silver tongues.”

“Yes!” She nodded wildly.

“One of my patients left these. Take them.” She made her way over to the small pile he pointed to – it was filled with portraits, watches, compasses and candles. She snatched the small map and torch.

“That’s right. Now, scurry on home. Off you go.”

*

After breathing in the crisp evening air, Lucy vomited. Thoughts swam in her head. Was she to trust him? Had she a choice? Would she be a murderer? She fought the desire to faint and hurried home.

She was greeted by her mother at the door with a small kiss and warm embrace. She loved the way mummy smelled.

“Where have you been all day? Do you think it’s fair to leave your mother to worry for hours while you’re off who knows where! Understood?”
Lucy nodded.
“Good, now straight to bed. Sweet dreams.”

That night kneeling with her siblings by the bedside, she had nothing to say.

*
It rained hard. It would be difficult to get anyone to come out and play, let alone venture up to the caves. She pulled on her frilly Sunday best. “Funeral clothes?” She wondered. The knot in her stomach grew more and more tense as she descended the stairs and pocketed her father’s matches, Gave her mother a kiss and opened her umbrella.

“I won’t take long.”

Elizabeth’s house was not far. Counting the steps, she reached the door and knocked a cheery rhyme.

“One hundred fifty seven.” She breathed.

“Is Eliza home, please?”

A little girl of eight years, the same age as Lucy, answered. Her nose strut from her face like a stinger. Long brown hair was pulled back in a tight braid, extending her high brow to monumental lengths, and her thin lips were sealed with a look of distaste.  

“Yes? What do you want?”

“I – “ Lucy cursed herself. She hadn’t prepared a story!

She thought quickly, and remembered the absolute vanity of her little friend. What a beautiful necklace she wore.

“I found…ore in the caves. It is probably very expensive, and it’s really pretty. Would you…like to come with me?”

Elizabeth looked disgusted, and looked up at her mother, who gently pushed her out the door.

“Go, sweetheart. We must be kind to out neighbours! Now, leave. Now.”

“Fine. Are they very shiny?”

“Yes!”

Their journey was mostly silent through the downpour. When they arrived at the mouth of the cave, Lucy searched for the dry torch she had abandoned under a tree, and pulled the map from her pocket and beckoned her companion to follow.
She was reluctant to take a step further. There was no going back. As they navigated through the rocks, she wanted, more that anything, to have invested her trust intelligently.
*
“Ah, Lucy! How good to see you again. And who is this darling you’ve brought with you? A new friend?” He oozed tender sweetness, and had nothing but the fullest of confidence that he could charm them both.

Elizabeth’s mouth hung open in absolute awe, much like Elizabeth’s had upon their first meeting.

“Surprised? I thought you would be. Now, what is your name, child?”

“Elizabeth.” She sputtered, not completely disregarding the feeling she would wake up from her dream, and find herself safe and cozy in bed.

The dragon’s eyes narrowed. “I am afraid your friend has murdered you.”

“W-what? Lucy!” She stood dumbstruck.

“Yes. I am going to rip you open rather than her, as was our agreement. Isn’t that delightful?”

“It wasn’t out agreement! You told a lie! You lied to me! Let us leave!” Hot, angry tears streamed down her face.

“You lied!”

Elizabeth, now too beginning to weep, picked up the first large stone she could find, and hurled it at Lucy, hitting her collarbone. She cried out. The pain was blunt and fast.

“You dog!” Shrieked Elizabeth, hardly able to catch her breath, exhausted by her terror. “You stupid, ugly girl! You-y-you bitch!”

Lucy stood, and took the insults as a whipping. A well deserved lash for the little murderer.  

“Now, now,” The beast’s tail wrapped around her neck, as she trembled and shook her head. “We mustn’t play like that. Either way, I feel no remorse. I have heard, and well believe, that you deserve what you shall receive as much as she does. I should like to snap both necks – but alas, my “word” prevents me. Take comfort in that you have earned this, everyone of you has.”

He was not merciful as he said.. He first took one claw, and slashed her cheek. She shouted as much as she could with her throat being constricted. The cut continued down her collar to her arm, a long crimson stream cascading down. The vice grip on her throat tightened and tightened and she gagged and wretched. The dragon smirked the way through – the smile of a sadist. Lucy turned away, crying more fervently.

With a revolting crack, her neck was broken, and he tore into her flesh. Elizabeth’s blood – so very warm - spattered Lucy’s dress. She held her breath, and held her eyes tightly shut and chanted The Prayer.

“I advise you to scuttle off, child, before I change my mind.” Gore dripped from his teeth as he smirked. “One nasty little girl is a poor substitute for a full dinner.”

“You lied to me! I’m so much littler than you are! How could you? You evil thing! Why?” She shouted boldly.

“Because you each deserve it.” He spoke as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “Since the very first Father and Mother you have deserved it.”

“I have enjoyed myself – humans are such fun. Do not come back, and do not tell a soul what you have seen here lest I rethink our agreement. It would not be difficult to find you, and far easier to hurt you. Now leave, little wretch.”

He laughed a long chuckle. “Good bye.”

Lucy ran. She ran as she never had before, tears streaming down her bloodless face, heart aching and racing. A small fireball followed her as laughter echoed. It was a Mercy that she had sensed its heat and threat, and threw herself to the ground behind a rock, though it certainly was not unpredictable. Patting out the small fire that ate at the edge of her dress, she continued.

That voice, those eyes, and those long, powerful limbs would stain her memory. The cruel velvet words would sting her ears like acid whenever she would recall them.

*
Rain continued to fall. She wiped her tired eyes on her sleeve and tried to compose herself. She picked up her umbrella and trod home.

She was greeted again with the warm embrace of her mother. She wished to hold it forever, and never feel frightened again. She retreated to her room and pulled on her white night gown.

Lucy melted to the floor, and created one more sea of tears. She prayed words that were too quiet and forlorn for any to hear, and what she had told Him within those moments will never be known.