Page 18 of Escaping my Dragon

“Yes.”

“While I know it’s been analyzed before, I’ll need a sample.”

“Figured you would,” his flat reply.

“Gotta make sure it isn’t actually alien pee,” I joked. Other than ETs contaminating it, alternate theories claimed it ran red because of government experiments. Even wilder conjecture stated it was the excrement of giant ice worms.

“A lab might not help prove that.”

“Er, what?” I blurted, since the reply surprised.

His lips curved slightly, and in that moment, I couldn’t help but be struck by his good looks. Blame the wine. “This continent has been frozen for millions of years. There are likely things in the ice and frost long gone from this world that might indeed seem alien when first discovered.”

“I don’t suppose you’d repeat that in front of a camera.”

He snorted. “Not a chance.”

Given he appeared in a mellow mood, I broached something he’d mentioned before. “Do you think it’s strange that so many people have had the same dream as you?”

“You’re talking about the ice cave.” A softly spoken statement.

“I swear, the mention of it must be contagious because I’ve had that same nightly vision since my arrival.”

For a second, he said nothing, looking down at the glass bottle he held. “Like the tremors, it appears to be happening more often and, unlike previous years, hasn’t waited for the dark season.”

“You’ve been having it too?”

“Yes.”

“Anyone else?”

His lips pursed before he nodded.

Interesting. “I wonder why. I mean, mass psychosis is possible, but I would have said, given my skeptical nature, I’d be immune.”

“Living out here has a way of changing people.”

“Maybe it’s because of the singing ice.” An eerie sound I’d heard on more than one occasion. “Has anyone ever studied the haunting melody to see if it’s having a subliminal effect?”

“No, but I guess it’s possible. That, or it’s trying to warn us there is something hidden in that cave.”

“Your slumbering monster,” I joked.

He exhaled loudly. “I should have never told you about it.” He rose and headed for the door.

I found myself hastening to follow.

“I’m sorry, Captain. I didn’t mean to make light.” He paused in the hallway outside the rec room.

“I realize how ridiculous it sounds. Trust me. I’m not a superstitious guy or one prone to imagining shit, but there’s something about that dream…” He ducked his head.

Before I’d even realized it, I’d stepped close enough to put a hand on his arm. “In my version, there is something in the cave.”

“What?” his gaze lasered in on me.

“A giant eye.” With a wry twist of my lips, I added, “And I mean giant. It’s at least twice the size of me, if not more, which I will add, is impossible.”

“Why impossible? There have been huge creatures that walked the planet. Dinosaurs, for example.”