I know she had good reasons to dump me. I wasn't exactly the best husband. She told me she was "Tired of your running away" and "No more abusive behaviour".

She was everything to me and together we had fought the System for so long. I guess between my horrid behaviour and the pressure from outside our marriage, she finally reached her limit. I can admit now, all these years later, that it was the best choice for her, to tell me to "Go and forget me"

But there are times. Oh there are times, when I think of her. Miss her. Miss the best times. Miss the love we shared.

When I look in the mirror I see a beautiful dark haired girl. She has brown eyes and long brown hair.

I know this isn't right, because I look like my parents and the others in my clan. We are horned with glowing eyes and the look of fierce warriors.

Yet, deep inside, I long to be that girl in the reflection. Beautiful, normal, sweet and innocent.

I turn away from the mirror - that false self. That is not who I am, but who I long to be.

I ready myself for the dinner party downstairs. I will attend and I will fit in, but it is not who I truly am.

Perhaps someday I can find the courage to be myself, but today is not that day.

I turn away from the mirror and leave the room. Descend the stairs.

I meet the others, and I blend in with them. For now. For now.

The waters know what it means to be battered to and fro. In this streaming rushing maelstrom that is life Do each of us not also know?

The waters call me downwards down to sink beneath the wave But oh the thing that is life Always comes to save.

The waters swirl and eddy from a single source of sea In the rushing tide beside beside The river bank a hill a tree.

Together let us go Let us be brave And find some peace for you and me.

He was going home at last. After those many years tryiing to forget, he realized that the only peace he'd ever find was there. Home. As he trudged along the uneven path, the stones daring him to lose his balance, he wondered if She would be there still. Would she be glad to see him? Would she even remember him? Her golden hair and bright smile! Oh he remembered her alright. Why had he left all those years ago? He didn't care about wealth or fame anymore.

This, this going back to where he belonged. It was right. It was good.

In fact, just because you've never seen one is partial proof that dragons do exist.

How so? you ask.

It's due to the incredible abilities dragons possess as well as their shyness.

Dragons are shy? you ask.

Indeed they are. So shy that in the years of searching, I was only successful when I hit upon a fragrant trap to entice my prey.

It was late when my rental car broke down in the middle of Italian wine country. I had no cell reception. I thought that only happened in bad horror movies.

I left the little blue car, and started walking. I was thankful that I'd worn my sneakers instead of high heels.

When I reached a lane branching off the main road, I followed it and at last came to a house and outbuildings. The house was low, red tiled roof and whitewashed walls. Shrubs and trees crowded around the house.

I knocked on the door, but since there were no lights on, I doubted anyone was still up.

As I feared, there was no response.

I wondered if I dared to break in. I wanted to call my brother to let him know I was delayed.