“Wait a metal and chrome what?” I asked clearly confused again. It would take me forever to get this all straight.
Thankfully, Becky came to my rescue with one of her dragon crash courses. She explained that the Chromatics were the basic evil dragon, bent on destruction and that sort of thing, but this dark side could be overcome once they were a part of a dent. There were five classes in total; I would have to remember to have her write those down so I could steer clear. The Metallic dragons, like Sammy, were not overcome by their darker desires, and stayed pure. They were generally friendly, helpful, and kind towards humans making them much more welcome.
"But how can he be a Rubicon and you a Fire-Tail?" I think that was what she called herself.
"Um, it's hard to explain."
Disappointment rushed over me, these were the things I needed to know, but it was too much to understand in one hour.
"What can he do?" I asked.
"Everything, from healing broken bones to spitting acid. We'll learn about his Anatomy in the second year."
"So his rider─"
"Blake doesn't have one," Becky interrupted.
"Why not?"
"Because his true Dragonian doesn't exist. Another long story and one we'll tell you about later," Becky said.
"Elena, you're going to be fine." Sammy saw right through me. "The only things you need to know are that magic and dragons exist."
“And that Sammy talks way too much,” Becky chirped.
“Oh shut your trap,” Sammy snapped back playfully.
“You must see her pucker when she's a dragon.”
“This pucker can light your ass on fire, missy.”
I laughed at their playful bickering. It reminded me of Dad, the times when he was normal. A horrible emptiness filled my heart once more.
“Hey,” Becky said. “We’ll help you.”
I smiled. Tears lurked behind my eyelids.
Becky glanced at her watch and slowly got up from the table.
Sammy followed and took my tray, along with her empty one.
I got up. My legs felt as if I had pushed tree stumps. I hated that I hadn’t eaten any of my food and it was going to land up in the bin.
Sammy dropped our trays at the drop-off zone, and the bell rang. “See you later,” she said, and disappeared around the corner.
Becky started to laugh as she saw me walking like a stick figure. She pulled me by my arm.
“Is Sammy really a dragon?” I asked.
“Yeah. Fire-Tails are babblers, but they're also the kind of dragon you can ask to incinerate a body when in need.”
As we turned the corner to make our way to our next class I walked straight into something hard. It was him.
I froze.
Chapter Six
How did the dragon find me? Matt said they were all dead. I should've run but my feet were rooted to the ground. My heart pounded painfully as the warmth of the dragon's fishy breath blew over my skin. Goose pimples rippled across my flesh. Pulling on my frozen legs with my last ounce of strength they finally gave way. My feet were now able to move. I lurched forward in retreat, stumbled, and landed flat on my ass.
As much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't. My eyes were locked in terror on the scaly blue beast standing before me. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. My voice was gone. The dragon roared while stomping it’s feet. The ground rumbled shaking me violently in the quake.
A tear rolled down my cheek. My gaze locked with its beady eyes. They were dark like rippling pools of onyx. As I stared deeper and deeper into their murky depths, I could feel myself drowning.
“Dammit, George, this isn't funny!” Becky screamed right next to me, bringing me sharply back to reality. Everything began to move again slowly, as if in that moment time had stood still. Someone whistled loudly in the distance, and the blue dragon looming in front of me turned around and lumbered away in the opposite direction. Laughter echoed off the walls and I couldn't tell if it had just started or was just dying out. Regardless, I could feel my face blush a harsh crimson in my embarrassment.
I coughed again as the strong antiseptic smell so commonly found in hospitals burned my nose. Humid air clung to my face, making my flushed skin feel hot and sticky. Beads of sweat rolled lazily down my spine making me shiver.
“I'm so sorry, Elena,” Becky said, sounding terrified as she crouched beside me.
“What happened?” Lucian finally reached us and helped Becky get me back onto my feet, shaky as they were.
“Elena, are you okay?” Becky asked, concern filling her voice.
“What happened?” Lucian demanded this time and shook Becky.
“It was George!”
He grunted with agitation. “Which way, Becky?” he asked, determination punctuating every syllable.