Summers in south central Kentucky where one of two things: Hot, or Hot and rainy. Today was the latter. Warm rain sprinkled down from the cottony sky, lightly soaking all who existed under it. This portion of Kentucky was my favorite, rolling hills, wide lakes and plenty of trees. The people here were kind, light hearted, and easy going. There was a much larger reason I liked Kentucky and its sparser population: it was a four legged, winged, fire breathing reason. I held a secret in this state that technically didn't exist. Contrary to what many who learned of this project believed, it was not a government conspiracy.
we couldn't be allowed to be a common secret, as Genetic engineering was still making its way through capital hill. That, and how many of the common public would fear if they knew dragons existed? All of these thoughts and more made their way across my mind as I crossed the town square, head bowed to avoid the rain. A hot wind was whipping up the maple trees, suggesting a heavier storm moving into the area. I picked up my pace, and ducked into the small café above our town apartment. The waitress, Kyla, waved at me from the cash register. I preferred getting to our living space from here, especially when it was raining, as the other entrance to my apartment would be a muddy mess right now. I closed the door just in time, the gay ringing of the little bell drowned out by the heavy downfall that chased me into the diner. There were only a couple patrons seated at various tables, quietly enjoying varying food products. I recognized an old farmer at a far corner table, smoking a pipe.
"Grayson!" I called out, waving my hand at the older gentlemen. He nodded his pipe, signaling towards the chair across form him at the table. there was a no smoking sign on the door of this establishment, but no one cared. Grayson had been in this town longer that most of the trees, and held more respect than the mayor did. i slid into the chair opposite of him, and quietly waited for him to finish the pull on his pipe. I missed the dark glare Kyla shot me from across the bar at the muddy footprints i left across her clean floor. i watched as the wisps of smoke produced by the tobacco where whipped up and and whisked away by the air vent not ten feet overhead. One of the other waiters, A guy by the name Billy, scuttled over, placing anew cup of coffee in front of the gristled farmer. Lifted the cup in my direction, to which i refused.
"I need to mow my hay, and my tractor is broken down. Can you swing by to take a look at it?" I was fairly well known here for my ability to fix anything that had an engine. This farmer in particular had old Farm-all model that usually ran like a top, but was old, of course. "She'll turn over, and cough occasionally, but it wont run. Tanks full. "
"Yeah, i'll take a look at it." Grayson proceeded to tell what barn it was currently located in and told me to make a list of parts so he could give me money to purchase them. The rain began to intensify, bringing a sigh from the old man. "better head home, cows need to let into the field." Grayson tilted his head in my direction and walked out into the pouring rain. I watched him climb into his old dodge, fire it up, and disappear. The rain began to pick up heavier now, moving from torrential downpour to hurricane deluge. i would need to go downstairs now, and check that the door wasn't leaking water as was so common for the old door to do. i motioned to kyla that i would be going downstairs. She nodded and continued pouring hot coffee into the patiently waiting patrons cup.
The stairs leading down to our apartment were nearly hidden behind the bathroom door, and looked more like a supply closet that a stairwell. To be fair, it wasn't much bigger that a supply closet. The tight, steep stairs faded into the darkness that anyone who wasn't accustomed to the climb would have found perturbing. I opened the second door, which opened into the cozy sitting room of out hideaway. It was empty right now, as everyone else was off at their respective jobs. I had gotten off early from the mechanics shop, due to a lack of customers. Our door was leaking, as i had suspected. The old glass sliding door was pretty, and we liked it, but it leaked if not closed with force. It wasn't normally and issue, but on days like to day, a steady stream of water could be seen running across the tile floor. i quickly rectified the door, then mopped up the water with a towel. Slate tile floor and water made for a great way to get hurt.
It would nearly be an hour before anyone else got home, but we would all be hungry. I made my way to our kitchen, pondering on food, (one of my favorite things). Our kitchen was a mix of newish equipment, and oak cabinets. Nothing super fancy, but it wasn't outdated or run down. Our freezer held various packages of meat, vegetables and deserts. The door had a container of frozen juice. Grape, a personal favorite. Fetching a pitcher from the counter i distracted as i thought about dinner. Outside the rain pounded a fury on the walls, creating a comfortable hum that set me at ease.
I loved the rain, i found it calming and relaxing. With a gentle sigh, i proceeded to put pans on the stove, and mix a batch of seasonings for rice. I put on music while i worked, a mixture of punk rock, modern country, and heavier metal. I was so into my music that i didn't hear the approaching footsteps of Sarah. Not that you could hear them normally. Sarah was tall, skinny, and light footed. I had no idea how long she stood there watching me cook, but i only noticed her when i Turned to drop a used bowl in the sink, which ended up on the floor when i jumped.
"Hi s-s-sarah." Shit... stuttering. Great way to impress a girl. She smiled and grabbed the bowl up of the floor and dropped it in the sink in one deft movement. "Good evening Max. What is for dinner?" Sarah's voice had always been of interest to me. One would expect it to be a higher pitch, yet her range extended far into a low tenor. she peared in a pot as i spoke.
"Chicken and rice... Nothing special." I felt a warmth around my cheeks as i spoke, and i hoped she wouldn't look my way. She didn't, choosing instead to pour her self some of my self made grape juice. By the time she turned around, i had my back to her at the stove again. To my relief, she left the kitchen and returned to the living room. I could still hear the rain pounding away on the walls, more of a background noise than anything else. The squeal of a door announced the arrival of more people. I heard the deep husk of Alex' voice, Clara's high pitch, and Marcus' bubbling laughter. i was glad to hear that everyone seemed in a good mood.
"Something smelllllssss goooooooood!" Called Marcus as he rounded the corner, flipping his cellphone between his hands.
"It's chicken and rice. and if you keep throwing your phone like that, your gonna drop it. And i am not replacing the screen again."
"That's cool Cody, i wanted a new phone anyways." Sarah and Clara disappeared around the corner, gossiping who knows what about. Alex had made his way over to our meager stereo system, and was making up a playlist. I went back to stiring the rice, contemplating the seasonings i wanted to use tonight. It had been a few weeks since i had made anything with Cajun flavor, and it was a well loved amongst the group. A well known guitar riff ripped through the kitchen as i shook the seasoning onto the partially cooked chicken. From the other room, Alex could be heard opening the song, as if he were a rock star at a concert. it was an opening i knew by heart.
" we have a very special guest with us to-night, As you know we travel the states we take with us a certain royalty. And we are going to summon him with one word. And that word is Hail." Even though i am around the corner and in the kitchen, i can picture Alex standing on a chair pretending to be the lead singer of Avenged Seven-fold. The thought brings a smile to my face. I slid the food into the over to finish cooking, and run into the living room just in time for the opening chorus. Not a one of us can sing, but we all pretend we can. The apartment echoes with our off-key voices, and the pounding bass. it was hopefully not so loud as to disturb Kyla's patrons. She would call us if it was. We pranced around the room, pretending to be various members of the band. We worked up quite a sweat by the time the seven minuet song ended, but we all had triumphant smiles plastered across our faces.
The next song in the series began filling our apartment with the thousands of screaming fans that dictated a live concert. we were far to tired to dance to that one. Pantera's lead singer greeted the crowd as we collapsed onto the couch, hot and sweaty. Alex whipped out a book, and began reading. Marcus had headphones in and was rocking out to what ever rap music was currently on his phone. The girls where still not to be seen. As time progressed, the Cafe closed, and Kyla joined us, tiredly flopping down onto the chair. she spoke little, running a file over her nails with a absent look across her face. Out of everyone here, Kyla was most concerned with the appearance. She visited the local salon religiously, and her hair and clothes had to be just so.
The loud, obtrusive beep of the oven awoke us all from our stupor, alerting us to the readiness of our dinner. like magic, we all made our way to the kitchen for food. we all ate together in the living room, polite conversation running about the length of the meal. Sarah offered to to the dishes, and as she did, i decided it was my turn to relax. I made my way out of the main living area, and down a long sloping stair case that lead into the cave system about two hundred feet under the living area. Yet another reason to love Kentucky, all the caves that were underground. It was a great place to hide things that generally shouldn't bee seen.
As i finally reached the end of the stairs, an entirely different set of sounds reached my ears. It was six sets of massive lungs breathing in unison. It was the reason we existed in secret. It was our dragons.