Oh look at that! She's alive!

Yes, I am alive. Like I said I had to rewrite about 2 and 1/2 chapters which were hard enough in the first place. I had this part sitting around for a while and I knew I wasn't going to change it any time soon so I thought "Why not go ahead and post it for your poor starved readers?" I'm still working on the next "chapter" which was originally the second part to this one but it was getting really long. I may or may not join them together. I'll let you know ;)

Travel Companion

She was kept awake all night by a combination of sitting on the cold, hard ground, with pebbles digging into her and the occasional snorts of the sleeping dragon. Despite the fact it had not expressed an interest in eating her yet, she was still distrustful of the beast with razor claws and pointed teeth.

Ava pulled her cloak tighter around herself in a pitiful attempt to banish the chill from her body. She got as comfortable as she could on the rocky floor of the cave, next to a dragon, in a blizzard, and waited. For sleep, or the storm to end, or death, whichever came first.

Eventually the cave became illuminated by the gray light of a new day. The blizzard was beginning to blow itself out, its dying breaths the last howling gales. Snow still fell continuously, but slower and much lighter. Taking the opportunity Ava carefully uncrossed her legs and stood up. Her limbs tingled with the prickling sensation of blood rushing back into them. Using the wall for support, she cautiously tiptoed across the pebbles to the cave entrance. Although her heart was drumming in her ears, the only audible sound was a slight crunch when she stepped on the gravel.

Once she emerged from the cave her cloak was immediately dusted with the delicate flakes of snow that still tumbled from the monstrous gray clouds. After a moment she became aware she had been unconsciously holding her breath and now there was a throbbing ache in her chest. As quietly as she could Ava gasped repeatedly, filling her lungs with the air they screamed for. Stealthily she began creeping along the cliff so as not to be seen, should the dragon look outside the cave. When she heard the creature stirring she took no chances and broke into a sprint towards the forest.

Halfway to the forest Ava could feel the earth beneath her feet tremble every few seconds, a quick glance over her shoulder gave her the reason. The dragon she had left peacefully slumbering in the cave was now very much awake, running behind her with its tongue lolled out.

"You're not supposed to follow me!"

The dragon continued bounding after her, occasionally running ahead and circling her. It was having a grand time playing this game. When Ava hit the forest she began darting between trees and going in circles in an attempt to get the reptile off her trail. She kept running a few minutes after she lost sight of it then crept through the woods so she wouldn't attract its attention again.

She sat hidden in a bush near the edge of a small meadow. Snow covered the open space creating a beautiful monochrome landscape. The choices were through or around and Ava didn't have time to go all the way around. The sun had already entered the western portion of the sky and she still had a ways to go. With a sigh she stood and jumped into a sprint, clearing the meadow as quickly as her legs allowed. Thankfully there was a cluster of rocks nearby that happened to contain a boulder big enough to hide behind. She positioned herself out of sight and waited to catch her breath before darting to the next spot.

Ava looked closely at the stone when its colors started to swirl, hoping she wasn't about to pass out. But it turned red and became a very dragony shape. She growled in annoyance.

"I never lost you did I?"

The creature's response was to peel itself off the rock and join her on the ground. It sat staring at her intently and waited to begin the next game.

"You're the one who's been following me aren't you? Coming around my house at night, in the woods and on the path? Why?"

Looking into his wide yellow eyes, Ava began to really see the dragon for the first time. The delicate looking scales on his snout, nostrils quivering with each monstrous breath. Farther down his body the scales grew larger, each scale was consistent with the others, keeping the same size and shape, none out of place. His color was mostly a deep scarlet, except for some shaded or highlighted areas. Down his legs the scales became a dark maroon it was also along his back as tiger stripes and lining his cream underbelly. On his neck were thin, leaf shaped spines that continued down his back to his tail. His wings were folded neatly over his sides, lifting as his belly expanded each time he inhaled. They were patterned with a striking yellow accompanied by orange and red.

He continued staring at her as she looked at him, unblinking. Her eyes moved back up to his which were filled with curiosity and intelligence. She was amazed that such an exotic looking creature never flaunted its beauty, choosing instead to blend in to its surroundings and hide in the shadows. I wonder why. The thought only wandered for a moment before it was pushed out by the outrageous idea that consumed her mind. Without thinking she followed her desire and stretched out her hand. Slowly she inched closer, mesmerized by the dragon and gently laid her hand on his muzzle.

The dragon was surprised by the contact and jumped, which frightened Ava and caused her to pull her hand away quickly backing up a step. His ever expressive eyes seemed to convey hurt and disappointment. Ava felt guilty for putting that look there and couldn't let it stay. Bravely she set her palm on his nose again. It fit perfectly between his two nostrils with her fingers straddling the small horn that protruded from his snout. He instantly relaxed, his expression becoming one of pure bliss. Ava studied the ground, feeling silly to be standing there with her hand on a dragon's nose just to keep him from having a tantrum. And slowly, as she wiggled her fingers to stroke his snout, the dragon's eyes closed. This marked a rare moment when both human and dragon allowed themselves to be vulnerable, completely trusting the other not to harm them.

Thoughts of home chose that exact moment to come flooding back, a painful reminder that she was not staying here. Don't get attached. You've already made it hard enough to leave. The memories brought with them a flood of emotion, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut.

"I'm sorry," She choked out as she turned and walked briskly through the woods.

The dragon either unaware or dismissive of her emotions, trotted after her. Overtaking her in just a few strides, he slowed his pace to walk beside her. Seeming to understand there were no more games he was content to stay side by side.

Ava had trouble reining herself in. Despite the war going on inside her head on the outside she stayed relaxed and ignored the dragon completely, hoping he would go away. When she reached the hills where her walk began the day before, she found they were now covered in waist deep snow. Wading through them took much longer and tried Ava's patience.

The dragon was not so keen on wading through ice cold snow. Instead he opened his wings and flew overhead, gliding on the lingering breezes of the long gone storm. Cutting through the air like a stingray through water he kept himself and Ava entertained with his aerial antics. He rolled and flipped in the air, climbing high for dives and swooping low across the plain of snow.

Watching the graceful creature in the air helped take her mind off the unpleasant coldness she was experiencing from the waist down. It was like the first few seconds of jumping in a pool, the icy shock of cool water meeting warm skin. But unlike jumping in a pool, the initial chill didn't wear off. It wrapped itself around her, penetrating every layer until she was frozen to the bone. After a while she grew numb, but it only dulled the cold slightly, making every second misery.

If only I had wings, I could fly up there too. Out of this cursed snow and glide right back to town where I could warm up by a cozy fire. She let herself continue to daydream, it helped her forget about the cold, her growling stomach and how tired she was after a sleepless night and a day full of activity.