"I'm going to ask you not to scream," the black dragon said. "We're not here to cause a scene and we don't want any more humans seeing us than necessary."<br/><br/>The two humans trembled between the dragons as the black one's eyes trailed to the small gun still firmly clenched in Jeff's hands.<br/><br/>"And if you insist on firing that thing again we will have a problem." Jeff dropped the flare gun. The dragon seemed satisfied. "Good. I'll make this quick, as I'm old and the flight back in a long one. Humans and Dragons are in danger from each other. An ancient pact is breaking and if it breaks completely, the world could be lost once more. We need humans on our side, to help prevent conflict when the pact breaks."<br/><br/>Jeff and Erica were no longer shaking. Perhaps the fact that it could speak had eased their fears but he no longer felt like they were in danger. Well, that wasn't completely true. They were obviously in danger; but he felt like the dragons weren't there to attack them.<br/><br/>"What pact?" Jeff asked and Erica gave him a look that said "why are you talking to it?"<br/><br/>"Thousands of years ago, humanity was at it's true peak in civilization," The black dragon said. "As were we. Magic flowed freely like water and the world benefited from the power. But our kind did not get along, nor could we agree on the direction of the planet. Eventually we descended into a war that brought both of our species to near extinction."<br/><br/>"To save what was left, we agreed on a pact," The green one said. He sounded eager to please and spoke as if he had spent all night practicing his lines. "The humans gave up everything: magic, memories, and technology and became cavemen. Over time we knew they'd be able to relearn and rebuild. Us dragons gave up our magic and sequestered ourselves away from humans, never to interfere in their affairs again."<br/><br/>"Then why are you here?" Jeff said. "Aren't you breaking the pact?"<br/><br/>"There is no stopping the shatter that is to come. The cracks had formed long before our meeting tonight," the black one said.<br/><br/>"So you want to kidnap us, and take us... where?"<br/><br/>"To our cloister underground," The black one said.<br/><br/>"And if we refuse?" Jeff crossed his arms.<br/><br/>"Then you will not recall this conversation, or why you came out here in the first place."<br/><br/>The look on the Dragon's face told Jeff he knew he was convinced. He grabbed Erica's shoulders and looked into her eyes.<br/><br/>"Let's do it," he said. Her brown eyes grew wide and indignant.<br/><br/>"Are you crazy?" She squeaked. "Alduin and Parthunaax here spout off some mumbo-jumbo about a prophecy and you're willing to ride them all the back to who<span style="font-style: italic">KNOWS</span>where and be their little human snack? No. You're more than crazy. You have a death wish."<br/><br/>"Alduin?" The black one said and looked inquisitively to the green one who shrugged.<br/><br/>"Erica. Erica, stop," Jeff said as Erica tried to push him away. "This is the adventure of a lifetime! Imagine what we would learn. Everyone thinks dragons aren't real."<br/><br/>"Which we want to change, by the way," The green one said, holding up a clawed finger. "But slowly. And with discretion."<br/><br/>"People will think we're crazy. OR WORSE, if my parents ask me where I was and I say I was off<span style="font-style: italic">chasing dragons</span>I'll be thrown into rehab so fast-" Her voice raised and Jeff shh'ed her again.<br/><br/>"We didn't choose you randomly," the black dragon said. "We've been watching you. Jeff has no strings tying him down to any one place. And you, Erica-" Erica held her breath. "You have a kindness and a curiosity about creatures. We feel you would be well suited to the cloister. But you do have the option to say no..."<br/><br/>They stood in silence for a moment then several flashlights shone through the trees.<br/><br/>"We must hurry," the black dragon said. Yet it was said with patience.<br/><br/>"I'm going," Jeff said. "Come with me, Erica."<br/><br/>"But- but I'll be leaving everything behind..." She muttered. "And I- I'm scared."<br/><br/>"The first time is always the hardest," he said. "Come on, Erica! Haven't you ever wanted that adventure? To just disappear and live a life no one ever dreamed of?" Her brown eyes searched his blue ones and she could see the resolve burning bright as ever. He was meant for a life of adventure. She didn't know that should could handle it. But she'd never really tried. The internship had been the most adventurous thing she'd ever done.<br/><br/>She took his hand and the dragons looked relieved. They could hear laughter now as the ones wielding the flashlights drew closer.<br/><br/>"We must go now," the black one said. "Climb on, Jeff." Jeff hesitated, and the dragon practically picked him up and dumped him on his back. The green one knelt down and tilted his head.<br/><br/>"If you would," he said. Erica placed a hand on his side and felt surprised at how warm he felt under the scales. She gripped the ridge of his back and pulled herself on. Fear mixed with adrenaline as the green dragon drew up to his full height.<br/><br/>"We'll crest the ridge and disappear from sight before taking off," the black dragon said to the green one. "The other humans shouldn't see us and we should reach the cloister by dawn."<br/><br/>"Understood," the green one replied. They moved forward gracefully and disappeared into the brush as Sarah Goldsmith and Curtis Rider walked onto the path.<br/><br/>"And that's how I discovered the birthmark looked like the Apple logo," Curtis said. Sarah giggled.<br/><br/>"Hey, Erica, you've got to see Curtis' birthmark! Erica? Jeeeeff?" She looked to Curtis. "Didn't they come this way?"<br/><br/>"That's what I thought," Curtis replied. "Maybe we passed them without realizing it." They turned around and headed back to camp.<br/><br/>"H-hey," Erica squeaked as the green dragon jumped over a ditch.<br/><br/>"Sorry, Erica, didn't mean to jostle you," he said.<br/><br/>"No, not that..." She said. "What is your name?"<br/><br/>"Likimar!" The dragon replied. "The big one is Jadisaem. What's an Alduin and Parthunaax?"<br/><br/>"Um. Nothing," Erica replied.<br/><br/>"We're at the crest," Jadisaem boomed from ahead. "Prepare yourself, Likimar."<br/><br/>"Yes sir," Likimar replied. "I hope you're not afraid of heights, Erica."<br/><br/>"I'm not. Why?" She asked as the dragons came upon a cliff face and jumped off. The scream from Erica's lips was torn away by the wind as Likimar's thin wings caught the air and they rose above the mountains.