• Chapter One
    The rain poured all around me, soaking me to the bone, my jacket bringing no comfort. I shifted around on the bench, as the bus came around the corner. “Finally.” I muttered. The bus screeched as it came to a stop in front of me. I climbed on giving Rose, the bus driver, a smile.

    “Sorry I’m so late Penny, the rain makes it kind of hard to see,” she said giving me a lopsided grin.

    “It’s fine Rose.” I made my way toward the back of the bus. I sat down, pulling out my mp3 and listening to Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty. I leaned my head against the window, letting the rocky bus ride lull me to sleep.

    “Hurry up mama!” I said, pulling on her hand, “We’re wasting time! I am seven now you know.” She laughed shaking her head, her brown hair blowing in the wind.

    “I’m coming, don’t you worry, we have all night. We’re here anyways.”

    I looked around us giggling in excitement, the maples that towered over us, the crystal blue stream to the left, and lastly, the cliff in the front. My mama and I both looked at each other, before taking off towards the cliff. We leaped off the edge, and began to spiral downwards. Halfway down the cliff, we transformed into our majestic creatures.

    Our Dråkons.

    I began to move my silver-blue wing to catch the updraft. Within moments we were up in the clouds, hidden from one another, it was our favorite game. After a while of searching I had begun to call out, “Ma-” but I was cut off by a tormented wail.

    I flew down, and saw my mama about to be loaded into the back of a truck, covered in a net of chains.

    “MAMA!!” I yelled out, catching the hunters’ attention.

    “Fly quickly child! Fly fast and far!”

    “But Ma-”

    I was cut off again by my own screech of pain, one of the hunters had shot me through the left wing. I looked down again, but no longer saw my mama, her truck was already gone.

    “Penny dear, Penny wake up. We are at your stop.” My eyes fluttered open to see Rose’s smiling face in front of me. I stretched out my stiff limbs, before standing up. I was used to the repeated nightmare by now, it haunted me every time I rested my eyes.

    I shook my head, as if it would rid me of the memories, and walked down the small aisle, kicking aside the trash that lay scattered about. I got off, giving Rose another small smile, before she closed the doors and drove away.

    I turned around, breathing in the smell of fresh dew and grass. The rain must have just stopped. I waded through the sharp, knee-high grass, for a while before I reached it. I hesitated, mentally preparing myself for the long walk ahead, before starting up the trail.
    As I made my way along the narrow path, well obscured by the surrounding forestry, specks of color popped out at me from the corner of my eye.

    I paused for a moment, taking in the bright flowers, visible even at night, in contrast to the dark green of the forest. ‘Great!’ I thought sarcastically, ‘The one time I don’t bring my sketchbook, I need it!’ Sighing as I turned around, and began walking again, listening for the sound of water.

    Soon enough, the relaxing sound of water lapping against the shore met my ears. I sped up and began to run towards the now visible lake.

    The crystal blue lake shimmered, reflecting the bright, full moon, as I made my way into the water. Within moments, I was knee deep in the refreshingly cool water, with fish swarming around my ankles, and my toes curled in the mud. The water reached my chest, for I had walked deeper into the lake.

    Finally, content with the depth, I took a deep breath, knowing it would last me at least seven minutes, and shot through the water. I swam down into the lake, surveying the area before I spotted it.

    The hole was as dark and brooding as it could get, but I knew what it held. I squeezed myself in head first, having to army crawl my way into it. My surroundings were almost pitch black, but I knew this place like the back of my hand.

    ‘Too bad I can’t see my hand right now’

    I thought to myself trying not to laugh at my lame attempt at a joke…to myself…

    ‘I think I have finally lost it…’

    Looking ahead I noticed the water becoming lighter. I pushed myself to go faster, for my lungs felt as if they were about the burst It had been longer than seven minutes…I was pushing it. Finally, I felt the weight of the water stop pushing on my head, and I lifted my face up to the air, taking in deep lungfuls. I crawled the rest of the way out and stood up.

    Surrounding me was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. I was used to it though, and had the pleasure of painting it many times before. The cavern was covered in glowing stalactites, stalagmites, and bluish moss, with an opening in the ceiling showcasing the shining moon.

    Climbing up the rock in the middle of the cave, I began shifting. The noise of my bones growing and rearranging was echoing throughout the cavern. By the time I had made it to the top, I was no longer in my human form.

    I was a beautiful silver-blue Dråkon shimmering under the moonlight.

    I leaped into the air, shooting through the hole in the ceiling. Pushing the cool air beneath my wings, I flew higher and higher, until I was far above the clouds.Letting out a huff of breath that constituted as a sigh while I was in this form, I cruised through the star filled sky, the worries left far below.

    DONG DONG

    The church clocks in a nearby town struck one o’clock.

    Time to head back I told myself sadly. I hardly get anytime to fly without any worry of being seen. If I stayed any later, the early workers would have spotted me. Swooping down near the edge of the forest, I landed gracefully on my feet.

    Lie.

    To be honest I landed with a mouth full of dirt, I never could land correctly. I could run, swim, fly, glide, hell I could even fall, but never ever land correctly. Righting myself, I shook the dirt off my body before I took off through the woods, dodging the trees at breakneck speed.

    I had only been running for a couple minutes before I spotted the back of my apartment building. Located right on the edge of town, the building was so old it was bound to fall down some point soon. I ducked behind a tree and shifted back into a human, my clothes materializing on me.

    I reemerged, climbing up the gate that ‘protected’ the apartments, or so says my landlord. That itty bitty gate wasn’t going to keep out anyone, in fact it probably attracted more burglars than it was supposed to keep out. I climbed up the rusted metal staircase towards the top floor. Finally, I neared my apartment, number 35.

    I took out my key from beneath the doormat, unlocked the door, and stepped in. I shared the small space with my roommate Amelia, it contained one mini kitchen (literally everything was tiny, the stove, microwave, fridge, utensils), a living area big enough for a couple chairs and a TV, and lastly one bedroom.

    I tiptoed into the room, watching Amelia to make sure she didn’t wake up, and climbed into bed. As I began to drift off to a not so peaceful sleep, Amelia muttered something about Skittles needing to stop being cannibals. I let a small smile slip on my face before my eyes closed for the night.


    Chapter Two


    The dancing Skittles skipped over to my mama, pouncing on her, whilst she didn’t make a sound.

    I couldn’t move.

    I couldn’t help.

    I couldn’t speak.

    The rainbow of Skittles hopped off of my mama’s remains, and began to dance their way toward me chanting.

    “Taste the rainbow, taste the rainbow, taste the rainbow!”

    Then they jumped, flying towards me.

    I jerked into a sitting position in my bed, banging my head on something in the process.

    “Ugh.”

    “Amelia!”

    “What?”

    “Why were you right by my head?”

    “I..err...may have...um”

    “Spit it out already!”

    “ImayormaynothavebeenwhisperingthingsinyourearasyouslepttomakeyoudreamofSkittles!
    Please forgive me Oh Great Penny!!” she said falling to her knees.

    “I beg of you!”

    “Amelia.”

    “Have mercy in thy heart for thou head's not screwed on tight at this early hour.”

    “Amelia.”

    “PLEASE! PLEASE OH WISE AND BEAUTIFUL ONE I CALL PENNY, DO NO-”

    “AMELIA!”

    “Yes?”

    “Are you done yet?”

    “Well I guess so...as long as you don’t behead me…”

    “Well, if you had waited a moment longer, then you would have heard me say that it was OKAY.” I stress to her.

    “Oh, okay...You want some Skittles?” She asks enthusiastically.

    “NO! No Skittles! I am forever scarred by those evil rainbow of fruit flavored, human devouring, chemicals.”

    “Why?”

    “Because you made me dream about them devouring my mum!”

    “Ohhhh, sorry about that…” She giggles nervously.

    “It’s fine. Now move over or I won’t be making pancakes for you today.”

    “WHAT?!” She yells jumping far away.

    “Why does that remind me of a cat and a cucumber…” I mutter to myself.

    “Did you say something Penny?”

    “Uh, no.”

    “Oh, okay!” She says dancing to the bathroom. I stand up, making my way to the kitchen, in my clothes from the night before. I get out the ingredients for my extra chocolaty pancakes, whisking them all together.

    When that’s done, I get out a ladle, pouring the batter onto the already preheated griddle. After flipping probably 25 plate sized pancakes, I place 20 into a container, leaving 1 for me, and 4 for Amelia. I swear that girl has 5 stomachs. I put Amelia’s pancakes on the counter as she crawled, yes crawled, into the kitchen sniffing out the pancakes.

    This girl.

    I took the container of extra pancakes, and walked out the door to apartment number 32, knocking on the door. The door creaked open, revealing my neighbor Ms. Brooks and her 6 kids.

    “Penny!!” they chorused.

    “PANCAKES!!” they screeched.

    I held the container above my head laughing, whilst I walked to the cupboard, putting the pancakes on the counter. I grabbed 7 Styrofoam plates grabbing a fork for Ms. Brooks. Her kids never use their silverware, like never ever. I dished out the pancakes to the eager children, before walking over to Ms. Brooks with her food in hand.

    “Here you are Ms. Brooks.”

    “Thank you so much Penny, you always make them so happy...and hyper.” She says while we laugh.

    “Thank you Penny!” I hear the kids say together behind me, not even a second before I am tackled to the ground, squashed by chocolate covered limbs. I laugh, shimmying my way out of the pile. Looking down at my now ruined outfit, shaking my head.

    “I have to go now kiddos, promise me you’ll be good for your mother.”

    “We promise! Bye Penny!”

    “Goodbye!” I call out as I close the door, walking back down to my apartment.

    “Amelia! I’m back!” I call out as I walk in. Seeing an outfit already laid out on my bed for me. I suppose she was used to me coming back covered in chocolate. I grabbed the clothes before going into the bathroom and hopping into the lukewarm shower. Once I scrubbed myself clean, I got out, dried myself off, and changed into my pre-arranged outfit which was comprised of a black crop top, cute, designed leggings, and a pair of black flats.

    I looked in the mirror as I combed my waist length hair, the silver complementing the light blue streaks running through it. Before you ask, no I did not dye or bleach my hair, it was natural. Every person that had a Drakon had the same hair color in human form as their skin in Drakon form. After I finished brushing my hair, I completed the look by feathering some mascara through my lashes to bring out my bright violet eyes.

    Sighing, I carefully placed my brown contacts on my eyes, concealing their vibrant colors, before putting my hair in a pony tail. I grabbed my keys and called out for Amelia. “Amelia!! I’m leaving so you might want to hurry up and get your butt out of the kitchen.”

    “Alright, alright I’m coming,” she groaned walking out of the kitchen. We walked out the door and down the stairs, before climbing into my beat up 2007 Chevy Silverado. Buckling myself in, I cranked the engine and pulled out. Our school was only 15 minutes away; it’s amazing how drastically the landscape changed as we got closer. By the time we arrived, we were surrounded by 4 story houses with guarded gates and long driveways.

    Students were bustling all around as we got out. They reminded me of ants, in a hurry with a job that needed to be done, except with less coordination. Amelia and I said quick goodbyes, before going our separate ways. As I walked toward building A, I got my white, black-rimmed hoodie from my backpack, throwing it on. I scanned my schedule for the week; my school liked to switch it up so that each student had different connections classes every week.

    My first class was AP Chemistry with Mrs. Treely, in room 164.

    Second was Literature with Mr. Cayl, room 189.

    Third was AP Calculus with Ms. Borti, room 107.

    Free Period/Lunch.

    Fourth was Music with Mrs. Hannah, room 115.

    Fifth class was Advanced World History with Mr. Hummers, room 197.

    And lastly, Physical Education with Mrs. Tanner, in the gym.

    Making my way to science, I stopped by my lockers to grab my Chem textbook and spiral-bound notebook. I shut my locker whilst looking down at my notebook, and started gliding gracefully down the hallway. And walked straight into a wall...a moving wall...wait a second, how can a wall be moving?

    That’s not possible.

    Ohh...I thought as I looked up at the boy’s face, muttering a quick sorry, leaning down to grab my books.

    “It’s fine. I wasn’t paying any attention either.” He chuckled.

    “I haven’t seen you here before, are you new?”

    “Yeah, and I’m sorta lost, can you point me in the direction of room 164?”

    “Sure! That’s my first class too.”

    “Great! Thank you so much.”

    “No problem, follow me.” As we walked towards Mrs. Treely’s lab, I felt him staring at the back of my head.

    I hope he’s not, like, some creepy stalker…

    I thought, shaking my head. Nahh, he’s too kind for that.

    But what if…

    Shut your skittle-hole, brain!!