Page 75 of Escaping my Dragon

“What do you think he saw?”

“Who knows. Wouldn’t be the first time a pilot imagined something. Although usually they claim it’s UFO’s.”

“A dragon would have been cool.”

“Dragons aren’t real,” he stated as the same phrase echoed in my head.

A sudden commotion led to us leaving the bedroom, half-dressed, to find Vernon at the main door, arguing with a man.

Not just any man, Greenfield, Aka Malone, looking the worse for wear. His clothing was torn and stained. His face chapped and showing signs of frostbite.

Noah slipped away from my side.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Looking for you.” He turned crazed eyes on me. “Where is he?”

“Noah? Probably getting a sweater.”

“Not him. The dragon. The one I woke up in the mountain. Where did he go?”

“Dragons aren’t real.” The mantra slipped from my lips.

“Don’t lie. I saw him emerge from the mountain,” Malone screamed, spittle flying. “And I know he was looking for you.”

“Why would a dragon be seeking me out?” I asked, unable to hide my amusement.

“To make babies.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ah, yes, because I’m such a dragon baby mama. I think you’ve been breathing volcanic fumes a tad too long.”

“Don’t mock me. I know he’s awoken. Tell me where to find him.”

Malone lunged in my direction, but Joslyn stuck out a foot and tripped him. Down went Malone, and before he could rise, Noah had returned, zip ties in hand. He knelt on Malone, pinning him with his knees while wrenching his arms behind his back to tie them together.

“Release me at once. You cannot contain me. I’m too close to showing everyone I was right. Dragons are real,” Malone shrieked.

“No, they aren’t,” I said, and I wasn’t alone. Noah, Joslyn, and Vernon all joined me in saying it, too. A little creepy, but not as fucked up as this imposter seeking me out.

A man who wouldn’t stop ranting about dragons. We ended up gagging him and locking him in a room, not for long, though, because a few hours later, rescue finally arrived.

But did I get my dream of a luxurious hotel once the military rescue team dropped us in New Zealand?

Nope.

I ended up in an interrogation room being asked over and over about the monster that didn’t exist. It didn’t matter how often I repeated, I saw nothing. They kept hammering and might have detained me indefinitely if Giles didn’t raise a huge stink online.

Thank you, social media, for shaming the military into releasing us.

And thank you, Giles, for arranging a flight back home.

Alone.

Because Noah stayed behind.

I’ll admit. I was bummed for five days.

Why five? Because on day six a knock at my door revealed a dashing captain.