Lying in front of the tv, examining my new splint I got earlier today, the news cuts into a commercial, "breaking news. The Lakesshore police department received a threatening call earlier today. The voice was clearly disguised to keep the caller from being known. This is what was said," the news team say, I notice mom has walked into the front room from her computer, listening in on the news flash. "'Okay, I'm only going to say this once, so pay attention, rider,'" Oh no. This person knows that I have a rider. I growl. "That's not good," Mom says. "'If this rider isn't with her dragon, both in heavy restraints, at the WoodLine Lake by high noon Tuesday, prepare for heavy consequences,' That's all that was said. In hearing this, it would be heavily advised that anyone who sees this dragon, bring him to authorities right away. That's all for now," the tv goes back to the commercial I wasn't paying attention to. "What are you going to do now, Shawn?" Carla asks, in the front doorway. I dunno. That voice sounded familiar, not in tone, but in threat, and how he spoke. I growl. "The cashier!" Carla says as I growl it. "Excuse me?" Mom says. "The cashier at my friend's veterinary shop, he was one of the men who broke Shawn's tail," Carla explains, showing the splint. Should we go?

I just wonder what he means by 'heavy consequences'. I growl. "Dunno," Mom says. Be back down. I growl. "Okay," Mom says. "Should we go Tuesday, Ma'am?" I hear the whole conversation. "I dunno, could be dangerous," Mom says. "Mom, they're facing a dragon, they have no idea what to expect," I say, walking down the stairs, wings and tail torn through an old shirt and pair of shorts. "Yeah, from a sophomore dragon with a broken tail," Mom says. "Don't worry, ma'am, we'll be fine. My dad's a retired FBI. He's got all we need," Carla says. "Yeah. Trust her, I've seen some of the stuff he just gets rid of," I say. "Whatever," Mom says, going back to her online shopping. "Your mom not care about what you do?" Carla says. "Eh, I've changed. I can take care of myself," I say. Walking up to Carla's house, I stay behind, not knowing how her dad will react. "Hi, dad," Carla says. "Oh, hi baby girl," Her dad says. "Hey. Is it okay if I use some of your old, worn-down restraints?" Carla says, nervous. "Aww, does my Carla baby want to be in the force like her dad?" He doesn't seem that bad. "Dad. Not now. My friend is here," Carla's embarrassed now. "Oh. Well, come on out, sir. My play's worse than my bite," he's a jokster, I can tell it. Crawling out of the darkness, I

Can see his face, scared. "That- that's your friend?" He says, trying to stay calm. "It's okay dad. He wouldn't hurt you unless he had to," Carla says. "Go ahead and pet him," Carla says. I'm inching forwards as he stretches his hand out. He flinches as I move my head into his palm. "He's not to bad," Carla's dad says. What's your name? I growl. "He's asking what your name is," Carla says. "You can understand him?" Carla's dad asks. "Yeah, there are others that can, to. Just two others, though," Carla says. "Well, anyway. My name's Dean," Dean says. I lift my front right foot as I would when going for a handshake. "Oh, he's a smart fella," Dean says, understanding what I was trying to go for. "Whose it's rider? Whoever he is, him and his dragon are wanted by some people," Dean says, examining my saddle. "Yeah, about that, dad. I'm his rider," Carla says, putting on her helmet. "What?" Dean says, not believing her. I nod my head, indicating she's not lying. "What could you have done to get this group of people against you?" Dean says, scared. "We were going to go in your old restraints, then take care of these people. Don't worry, we're not going to kill them," Carla says. "What happened here?" Dean says, examining the splint. "Those people brung him

Down with like nets or something," Carla says. ow! Igrowl, pulling my tail away. "Oh, I'm sorry," Dean says. "Yeah, you can use them," "yay! Thank you, Dad!" Carla says, giving her dad a quick hug. Seeing Carla and her dad make me feel kinda, well, kinda sad. My dad, he was in the military but- but he was KIA (killed in action). "Okay. We're good to go on restraints," Carla says, leaning close to me, trying to stay hidden. "Good. You listened and brought them to me," the cashier says. "Good," I notice something hidden underneath a cloth. "You're hiding something. Both of you are," I'm holding back a growl. "So who are you? Both of you?" Carla doesn't say a thing. "Okay. I'll start with the rider," he says, pulling out a military knife. "Okay. So, rider. Time to find out who you are," he says, slowly walking up to us. Using his knife, he flips up Carla's visor. The restraints aren't failing on me. This is off. Way off. "Ah, Mrs Carla Lason. So, lemme guess who your 'friend' is. Hmm?" The cashier is just teasing us now. "I'm going to say that he's," he pauses," Shawn Johl? Was I right?" He teases, seeing the looks on our faces. The mouth restraints gone. Roaring in rage, I ready a plasma blast as the men uncover a heavy gatling gun. Firing in the general direction, I missed!

"Ha, you missed. But we won't," they're loading the gun. I try to roll but I can't. I can't move. "Bye bye, Shawn," the cashier says, preparing the gun for firing. The last thing I see is the flash from the rotating barrels while hearing Carla scream, "Shawn!" Then, darkness. But still, "Shawn," what? Who said that? "Shawn," What? Am I dead? "Shawn!" I come to when I get drenched and notice scorched earth below me. "You okay, Shawn?" Carla asks. Yeah, I'm fine. I growl. "What happened?" I had a dream about the threat. I growl. "What threat?" Carla says, confused. The threat, called into the police. You were there by me when that news report came on. I growl. "I think you were just dreaming the entire thing," Carla says, petting me. Maybe I was. I growl. In the trees, hidden by the night, I put on some clothes while Carla packs up the tents we brought. "Well, goodnight, Carla," I say. "Night, Shawn," Carla says. Before I have the chance to walk away, Carla pulls me close to her, kissing me. I'm almost to stunned to move. She walks into her house waving goodbye. I wave, almost dropping the saddle. Walking in my house, all I can do is lie down on my bed and think about what just happened.