A Mission with Dragons

by saxonvulture

In which Deryn and Alek go on a mission from the zoological society to Italy, in the dead of winter. Lots of stuff happens. Just what the title says. Also written in a script-like format.

13. Chapter 13

FADE IN. EXT. NIGHT. There is a stillness that is only interrupted by gusts of wind. ALEK lies partly exposed and pressed, face forward, up against a large tree, near the edge of the cliff drop-off. His backpack was torn off in the event of the avalanche and lies roughly ten feet away from him. He slowly gains consciousness, realizes that he is lying, buried in a mass of snow, and jerks his way out of the pile. Shivering, he looks around, spots his pack, and clumsily shuffles over to it. Something is leaking out of the bottom. With further examination, he finds that one of the eggs has broken. He pulls the surviving one out and begins to fortify its packaging. A small sound comes from the egg. ALEK, pauses, listens, and continues to further wrap the egg. The noise happens again, and this time ALEK pauses, and un-wraps it. The scratching noise grows louder, and the shell starts to crack. A small claw pokes its way through the hard surface, and pieces of shell fall away. ALEK, still holding the egg, sits in shock, unsure of what to do. A small lizard-like head breaks free of the egg's inner membrane.

ALEK (mummers)

God's wounds

The dragon opens its mouth and emits a small croaking sound. ALEK hesitantly reaches out for it and gently touches its nose. The dragon snaps at his fingers with surprising speed for a creature that young. ALEK flinches back. Sucking at his bleeding fingers, ALEK carefully scopes that tiny creature up with one hand and tries to arrange it in his pack. The dragon squeaks in protest, but eventually settles at the bottom, but only after ALEK removed all the contents from the bag. Shouldering the bag, ALEK get to his feet. Only then did the enormity of his surroundings hit him. With DERYN and NEWKIRK nowhere in sight, he starts to panic.

ALEK (softly, then beginning to shout)

Deryn! Deryn, answer me!

ALEK runs out into the open snow. He comes across speckles of blood. Looking around, he sees the footprints that DERYN and NEWKIRK made, just hours before. He follows the path they took over the mountain. The wind picks up FADE OUT.