Hand-me-Down Dragons Pt3 - (by posted date)

The gravel and dirt path couldn’t really be called a road. It hadn’t rained in weeks so there was a layer of dust coating the leaves and grass along the ditch. I crept along behind Joe’s pickup as he led the way to the homestead. My scrawled directions were tossed on the seat beside me but I never would have been able to decipher them while navigating the potholes in the road. Joe didn’t seem to mind heading out to the place to give me a walkthrough. And since this wasn’t the classic purchase with a realtor, I really appreciated it. I’d need to remember to send a thank you gift.

An eternity and a half later at 25 miles per hour, Joe slowed and signaled to the right. Which couldn’t be correct. The road had washed away. I stopped and flashed my lights at him. He threw his hand out the window and made a “come on” gesture as he eased his truck down the bank. All I could do was watch as I realized the incline into the creek wasn’t as steep as it looked and he puttered through the water and out the other side.

I parked and got out of my car to call across to him. “When did the bridge wash out?” I looked over to where he hung out the window. “Is the town working on putting a new one in?” I took a closer look into the water and noticed it was only a couple of inches deep. I was sure my little SUV could handle it but what happened when it rained? Surely this got to be impassable.

“It’s not a town issue,” Joe called back. “This is the regular driveway! The property line to the Fitch place starts about where your car’s parked. She never did have a bridge put in. Just made sure she had a truck and then hunkered down whenever she couldn’t get out. I’m sure a bridge it doable but in these parts it’s just as likely to end up a couple miles down the creek in the first couple years.” He grinned like a kid, “You’ll make it. It’s not nearly as deadly as it looks. And there’s other folks that have used the same method for generations in this area.”

I got back into my car and took a breath. I could deal with the bridge problem later. I slowly nosed my car down the bank and up the other side as Joe crawled his truck up the driveway. One side of the drive was hemmed in by trees that seemed to push the cars away. The other was grassy field that looked like it hadn’t been introduced to a mower in ages. The summer sun had started turning the tips yellow. I rolled down my window and smelled the hot dust and warm grass. Birds were calling and I could hear the under current of buzzing from millions of bugs. I had the worst case of déjà vu. I knew this place. I knew the feel of this place.

The dirt path curved around the tree line and the small house came into view. Nothing extreme, thankfully. I’m not sure what I expected but I sighed in relief when a tidy little single story sat past the trees. It didn’t appear to be falling in. From what I could see the windows were intact. Scattered around the yard and further back were various buildings and sheds that looked like they may be older than the house.

Joe had stopped in front of the porch and was waiting as I had slowed to take it in. “The house has been checked here and there,” he walked up to my door and opened it for me. “I came out a week ago or so and checked the plumbing out and the well was working. Wouldn’t have felt right to leave you out here with no electric and no water.” He shaded his eyes and looked up to the porch. “Had to come give that beast an update anyway on how the proceedings were going.”

I followed his gaze a bit skeptically. I’m pretty sure he’s still trying to see how long he can run this gag. The drive out here had given me time to realize that the locals were absolutely seeing how long they could keep me hanging.

He gestured up the couple of steps, “Let’s take a look inside! All your grandmother’s stuff is still here, of course. That’s up to you to sort out. None of her family around wanted to see if there was anything sentimental.”

The porch stretched across the front of the house. I could see into the two front windows through a gauzy curtain. I pulled the key from my pocket and hesitated before putting it into the lock. The house, and Joe, seemed to be holding their breath. I found I was holding mine too. The key slid in easily and turned the lock. Just as I grabbed the handle, I heard a chuffing noise from the steps and froze.

I looked over at Joe who was looking back towards the cars. I turned the rest of the way and, by all that was holy, there was a damn dragon standing on the steps. And I’m pretty sure it looked offended. My brain had stalled out and I just stood there mouth agape. This wasn’t happening. Any minute and I would be waking up and realizing I had read too late and fell asleep into a book. That’s where the weird dream had came from. Some book I had read must have triggered something.

I took a step back and felt the door behind me. I must’ve made a noise. Joe looked over at me and said helpfully, “Katie, meet Raider. He’s the dragon I was telling you about.” I stared back at him a moment before looking back at the animal.

The creature, Raider, took another step up the porch. “Pleased to meet you, Katie,” he rumbled.

I think I must’ve died. That’s the only explanation left. I’ve had a stroke. An aneurism. Hallucinations are symptoms of a dozen and more critical illnesses. I’m not even sure where the closest hospital is. Joe would know but it’s going to take a while to get there.

“Katie?” Joe wrinkles his forehead, “I know he’s a shock to the system but it’s best if you just introduce yourself and let yourself adjust to the idea.” He looks back to Raider, “I warned you she hadn’t been raised here. She had no idea til this morning about what she was getting into. Just give her a minute.”

I felt myself sliding down the wall to sit on the porch. Raider cocked his head to watch down his long snout as I melted. I rubbed my face and eyes. The beast came up the steps onto the porch proper and sat on his haunches. I found myself staring dumbfounded at his feet.

His claws were tidy and as long as my fingers. I took a deep breath and held it before letting it out. My head was swimming. My hands were tingling and I could feel the prickle in my scalp. I leaned my head back as Joe stood by like he wasn’t sure quite what to do to make the shock easier. “Let me grab some water from the truck, Katie. We’ll get you some water and then you’ll feel right as rain.” He stepped around the animal and down the steps.

Raider was still staring at me. When he chuffed again, I frowned at him. He was a dark green color. His eyes were just a shade or two lighter than the rest of him. He’d look nearly black without the sunshine on him. There seemed to be wings folded against his sides. At least my imagination was thorough. It hadn’t left any details out of it’s little jaunt into fantastical beasts.

“It’s not polite to stare,” he tells me. I snort a laugh. I was being scolded by a dragon. He squinted his eyes, “Or to laugh at someone. Are you daft? I’ve met some folks that weren’t quite as quick as others. Nothing to be ashamed of. Just want to know what kind of person you are and all.”

I almost laugh out loud again. I really have lost it. Joe comes back with water and looks even more concerned if that’s possible. “Just hang on, Raider. She’s not daft, you unkind beast. She’s in shock. How would you feel if you saw you for the first time?”

I took the water and opened the lid. A quick drink and then I splashed some onto my face and neck. I didn’t think it was that warm but heat stroke isn’t something to mess with. I put the cap back on and looked up. The thing was still there. And it had stuck it’s head out closer and was… sniffing?

“Excuse me,” I finally get out. “Can you not?”

He jerks his head back, “Not?”

“Not sniff me. It seems impolite at this stage to be getting sniff tested.” I clear my throat and try again. A deep breath to try to get rid of the light headed feeling that won’t quite go away. Seems best to play along for now. “I’m Katie. And I have no idea what you’re doing here or why you seem to be attached to my grandmother’s place. Or why you even exist at all. But my name is Katie and I’m pleased to meet you as well.”

Raider pulls his head back and I swear it puffs up it’s chest. “Well, now that’s better. I knew you’d get your feet back under you quick like. Mary was sharp as a tack from childhood right til the end. Your dad, too. I’m proud to have you back home.” He stood up and shuffled his feet and wings. “Let’s show you around so we can get you settled properly. There’s a lot to be done!”

I looked to Joe who had been watching me. Probably to make sure I didn’t faint the rest of the way. It still felt like a close thing. “Let’s go show you around the house and get some windows opened up. You’ll need to get some groceries in and some basics before the day runs out.” He held out his hand to help me up from the floor. “I know it’s a nasty shock that first time but it’s easier this way than me trying to prepare you for it anymore than I did. It’s a shame you didn’t get a chance to grow up here with him and our ways but you’ll catch up quick. Raider’s a good sort if you can get him won over all the way.”

I turned and grabbed the doorhandle again. “I’m sure he is but this is all a lot. It’s still sinking in just what is going on. I’m still not sure I’m not hallucinating.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

Raider huffed from behind us, “I don’t.”