Legend of the red dragon

Chapter 1

I rolled over in my bed, too tired to get up. Since the room had no windows, I could assume it was morning by the chirping of the birds.

"Anna, wake up!" my sister called as she shook me. I groaned and opened my eyes.

"What is it, Alex?"

"Mama and Papa told me that you would take me outside today!" she said.

Did they? She probably woke them up the same way she did to me. I sat up and stretched my arms with a yawn. "Go wait in the kitchen for me while I get ready." I told her, and she ran out of the room excited.

I got out of bed and walked over to the bookshelf. Lacking a small table or a shelf, I often placed my things there. I grabbed my red scarf and wrapped it around my neck. When I went to the kitchen, Alex was anxiously waiting for us to leave.

"Where were you planning on going?" I asked her.

She thought for a moment, before coming to an idea.

"The White Forest!"

"Huh?"

"I read in one of the books that sometimes you can see a pretty blue ice dragon flying around."

In truth, I didn't want to go to the White Forest. It was terribly foggy there and you could barely see two feet in front of you. It also gets so cold there that it's almost always snowing. Who knows what kind of things could be living in a place like that?

"I don't think we should go. Those books are hundreds of years old. Dragons don't exist anymore. Besides, it could be dangerous."

"Alright..."

She looked disappointed, and I did say I would take her somewhere. I came to the conclusion that we could go exploring, but somewhere a little closer to home.

We spent the rest of the day by the pond; playing with the fish and keeping our distance from the alligators.

But, of course, the days always seem short here, and I lost track of time. The sun was beginning to set.

"We need to go home."

I took a quick look around and held my little sister's hand.

"Come on." I said before I began to lead her back through the plains we crossed. We weren't too far from home, but we weren't close either. It would be many more minutes before we reached the house.

It seemed that the more I walked, the harder it was to pull Alex with me, as if the was distracted or resisting.

"Anna..."

"What's-"

I stopped when I heard a sharp growl that threatened to destroy my eardrums. My breathing went quiet, and my eyes darted from left to right. Where was it, where was it?!

A pair of purple, glowing eyes pierced through the darkness, and a dark violet aura it did give off.

"Get behind me" I ordered, and Alex hid behind my leg as the tall creature advanced on us. I always took one step back as he got one step closer. Never, ever, lock eyes with an enderman, for it meant death for anyone that dared do so. One of us looked at him, and it no longer matter which one of us it was at this point. We both screamed and jumped back when he snapped at us.

Then there was another one.

It was thinner and less masculine, so it must have been a girl. She was chirping and pulling on his arm, trying to get his attention. He growled and looked at the female. She purred and held him close, putting a hand on his chest. He seemed reluctent; and he looked at us once more before agreeing to leave. We both stood in silence as the two mates walked away. I took another long look around, listening to make sure they were actually gone. They were.

I picked up Alex and continued to bring her home. When we got there, our parents were livid; going on and on about how they thought they would never see us again. I listened, of course, and apologized because I couldn't get her home in time.

We were both declared to never leave the house by ourselves ever again.

Days passed and I remained indoors. I was miserable, never getting any fresh air or seeing the sun in the morning. I missed everything. Alex was released from her leave much sooner than I was, and she continued to have fun in the green grasses of the world, with Dad's supervision of course.

As I sat on my bed, I began to put more thought into my situation. It was a reasonable punishment for such a dangerous thing I had done, but then I thought of everything I was missing. Spending a few minutes outdoors would do me some good, given I don't get caught.

The house was small, so getting out the front door unseen and unheard wasn't easy.

When I did manage to get outside, I snuck around to the back where all the animals were kept. It was midday, so they were all awake and active. My favorite was standing by the fence, and I went to greet him.

"Hi, Curtis." I said in a gentle voice as I pet him.

He was a brown bull with a few black patches and curved, forward-facing horns. He may be the oldest animal we have. Besides being good for field work, his strength and intimidation help to keep the monsters away. My mom says that we've been missing a lot less pigs since we had him. He may not be a dog or horse, but he is the closest thing I have to a loyal companion.