I used to believe that they were just stories. Tales that didn't happen. Animals that never existed.

But I keep telling myself that what happened that day never happened. That it wasn't real. That it never was. Truth is… I don't think they were ever supposed to be stories.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. Maybe even hours ago. It's like a dream I can't wake up from.

It was August 2010. I was driving home after visiting my friend. It was dark, maybe 9 or 10 P.M. I was taking a shortcut through the forest. At first, I saw nothing but dirt path in my headlights. 5 minutes passed until I heard something, like an animal crying in pain. I thought it was nothing.

I saw something in the road up ahead. I slammed on the brakes to see that there was a dead deer in the road, its chest torn open with rib pieces sticking out. I groaned and thought of taking another route when I noticed something else. Something like a black streak. Before I could do anything else, the black streak burst into the path like a cheetah.

I froze, my blood turning ice-cold. The creature was massive, a bit taller than the average man. Its scales were as black as the night sky. Its eyes were a bright yellow, which shone in the moonlight. It sniffed the deer (which it probably killed) before it opened its mouth, revealing empty gums. I watched it curiously as teeth emerged from the gums, and the creature began feasting on the deer. Realizing I had to leave, I shifted the car into reverse.

But before I could go anywhere, the beast snapped its head up, noticing the car. I tried to stay calm. Could it see me in here? Cautiously, it approached and cocked its head curiously. It sniffed the front bumper, as if wondering what the car was supposed to be. I stayed as still as possible, hoping it wouldn't notice me.

After a few moments of examining the car, the creature sprang up, making me hear a loud thumping noise on the roof. It was on top of the car. I breathed a miniature sigh of relief. It couldn't see me from where it was now. I heard it move around up there, with its sleek tail dangling in front of the driver-side window. I leaned my head forward a little, breathing heavily.

That was a mistake.

I accidently pressed my head against the horn, alerting the creature. It leapt down and roared, the sound resembling a high-pitched scream. My heart pounded as it stood up on its hind legs and spread something I hadn't seen before.

Wings.

Black, leathery wings that glinted in the moonlight. Then, slowly, I realized what this thing was.

It bellowed again, in a lower pitch this time. It raked its front claws forward, almost scraping the car hood. It was like I was an intruder to its territory.

Instinctively, I slammed on the gas pedal and the tires screeched as I whirled the car around before shifting into forward. A purple flash penetrated the darkness and struck a tree, making it burst into flames. I checked the rearview to see if it was following me.

The- I still hesitate to say this now- dragon did not follow. I didn't know it at the time, but it was warding me off. For a few seconds, all I could hear were its high-pitched roars. A sound that echoes in my mind to this day.

I'm nervous about telling others about it. They might not believe me. Well, now I regret not getting the animal on film or a picture. It's hard to believe that those things actually exist. That those stories, those legends…

…are real.

Now I have questions. Are there more out there? Why are they hiding? Do they think we're a threat? Because I think there's more to these not-so-mythical beasts than what we know of them…