Carly Mason stood outside her favorite coffee shop, just leaving with coffee in her gloved hands. She shivered slightly as a harsh, bitter breeze swept past her. She took a sip of the warm coffee that had been warming her hands and smiled.

She began walking back to her apartment after a long day of working at a high school as a substitute teacher—that’s what the coffee’s for.

Living in New York City has its perks; Walking in the beginning of December back to your apartment wasn’t one of them. Although her apartments only a couple blocks away, the weather doesn’t make the “not having a car experience” any better.

You might be wondering—Aren’t cabs a thing?—Well, Carly’s last cab experience didn’t quite go so well. She loves the fresh air. Being stuck in classrooms with a bunch of teenagers isn’t exactly her ideal day of winter fun.

Lucky for her winter break is nearly here.

She pulled her key from her coat pocket , while opening the door to her apartment building. While pulling the door open she was hit with a gust of the warm air that had been locked in the building.

She shut the door behind her and walked up the two flights of stairs she had to walk up to get to the second floor. As Carly made her way down the hall a loud crashing sound was heard from what seemed like her apartment.

Her steps quickened as she neared her apartment that had the number 209 in gold on the bright blue door.

Hesitantly, She put the key in the key hole and turned it slowly. All the while her ear was pressed against the door.

After hearing absolute silence, besides the previous crashing sound, she gently opened the door. She peaked her head around the door. After seeing nothing at that particular moment she stepped inside, slipping off her rather long coat.

Carly pulled off her gloves while walking around the corner into her bedroom. She stood in the doorway taking a look around—Just to be safe. After finding nothing, again, she tossed her gloves aimlessly into her room.

While walking into the main room of her apartment, the living room and kitchen, she had a confused look on her face. She set her cup of coffee down. She pulled off her scarf, looking around trying to find what could’ve made that crashing noise.

After being paranoid for about five minutes she forgot one place.

She ran towards the window leading to the fire escape that held her plants that were currently covered in snow. While pulling it open she heard shuffling, Causing her to open the almost frozen shut window faster.

She threw her head out the window finding something or someone that was almost terrifying.

Her eyes met with what a child would call a dragon. The scales, the wings, the horns, You name it. It’s what Carly was making eye contact with.