Chapter One
Thirteen years later…
"Dad, where are you taking me?" Jared asked.
"You'll see," Jake replied, smiling.
"But I'm blindfolded!"
"Heh. Well, be patient then."
Jared represents more of his mother than Jake, with his dirty blonde hair and soft blue eyes. But, like Jake, he enjoyed skateboarding and all those guy stuff Jake did. And also, he was a dragon – a dark blue, scaly dragon. And today was his thirteenth birthday.
"Okay," Jake said, as he slowly pulled the blindfold off of Jared. "Open your eyes now."
And once he did…
"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Jared!!!" everyone shouted.
"A surprise party?" Yeah, Jared was real surprised. "D-Dad…? How did you do this? Earlier this morning, I saw nothing but our plain backyard and it's transformed into this… party?"
Jake shrugged, but grinned proudly at his son.
"Thanks, Dad. You're the best!" Jared said as he and Jake shared their "manly" hug.
"Don't mention," Jake punched him playfully on the shoulder. "But, actually, your mom did this all, while I went out to distract you."
Jared laughed.
"Hey, guys," Rose went up to them and gave Jared a nice, heart-warming hug. "Oh, I can't believe you're finally thirteen! But that doesn't mean, you're free to do whatever you'd like, mister. If you wanna live under our roof, you have to live under our rules, got that?"
She and Jared laughed and gave each a smile. "'Kay, Mom. I promise."
"Now go out there and party like a man you are!" Jake exclaimed, pushing Jared toward the party and away from them.
"Right, Dad."
As soon as he left, Jake and Rose hugged each other and gave each other a kiss.
"He's growing up quick, isn't he?" Rose said.
"Yeah."
- - -
That night…
Something's happening to Jared…
Is he okay?
He keeps shivering. He kicked his blanket and pillow away and they dropped on the floor. Sweat ran down his face, and he keeps rolling in bed.
Is he having a bad dream? Seems like it, yet doesn't seem so either.
… Jared?