by Katie Cherry
But then there’s a comforting hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Nathan smiling down at me. He helps me to my feet, pulling me into an embrace. Together, we go and kill Patrick and restore Zilferia. But still, no one is there to see my victory but Nathan.
I wake, gasping, tears on my cheeks. My pillow is drenched. I look over at the other bed and find Nathan still asleep. I get up and wash off the tears in the bathroom. The cold water helps bring me back to my senses. I then get dressed in my clothes that I wore during the Challenges. I didn’t think I’d miss those clothes, but it felt so good to wear those silky soft pants and jacket again… especially now that the weather has turned. It isn’t as cold in Zilferia as it is where I lived on Second Earth during this time of year though, I realize. I also put on the new watch that Thaddeus brought me. After he learned that mine was taken, he took the initiative to get another one to me so he, Nathan, and I could communicate after we all go our separate ways.
By the time I get back to our bedroom, Nathan is already dressed. He smiles at me. “Let’s go get some breakfast,” he suggests. I nod and Nora and I follow him and Greg into the brisk air. The food tastes fantastic- much better than the hospital food. As soon as my last bite of blueberry muffin melts on my tongue, we head back to the hospital. As much as I don’t ever want to see that place again, I know that I should really get permission from the doctors to leave.
Nathan heads into the building while I wait outside with our Familiars. I watch Nora as she does spectacular tricks in the air and Greg as he shows how he would scare off a cat if it thought to take him on. I laugh.
Nathan soon returns with the good news that I’m allowed to go home. “But,” he adds, “They want you to do one thing for them first.” I should have known. Help is never free. “…They want you to see your parents before you go. They need to know that one of their kids is alive and well, or else the doctors fear that they will fade away soon. They’ve been comatose for too long.” This is not at all what I was expecting.
“Of… of course,” I stammer. “Now?”
He nods. “Why not?”
So I follow him back into the building that I swore to myself I would never set foot in again. We meet a doctor and follow him to the back of the building. We head down some stairs and to a door. The doctor turns to us. “The King and Queen are in this room. You can try and rouse them, but there is very little chance they will respond. You are very welcome to try, however,” he says. “We’ve been keeping them alive and have been able to prevent too much atrophying of the muscles,” he adds. We nod, and he opens the door and ushers us through. The door gently swishes shut behind us as the doctor leaves us alone.
In front of us are two beds, each with a still, unmoving form on them. We hesitantly walk closer. In one bed is my father, Alexander Dragon, and in the other, my mother, Pearl Dragon. They are both hooked up to a lot of different machines- even more than I had been for the past two months. They’re both very pale, but beneath that and added wrinkles and faded hair, they look just as they had in the ‘movie’ Patrick had shown me. My mom’s stunning green eyes are closed, as are my dad’s stormy blue ones. I sit on a chair next to Alexander’s bed while Nathan waits, hovering by the foot of the bed. Alexander’s eyes wander restlessly under his eyelids and he’s covered in sweat. He looks just like how Nathan described me when he first saw me after the Dragon Hunters took my Gifts.
I don’t know what to do to let him know I’m here, but I try holding his hand, as Nathan had with me. There’s no response. So, feeling awkward and out of place, I start talking to him. I tell him about my life on earth as well as what happened after I came here. After a while, I notice that his eyes have stopped wandering.
I keep talking. I tell him about Vlad and the Challenges, the dragons, the mermaids. When I mention Hunter, however, I finally get a major reaction from him. The instant I say his name, Alexander’s hand tightens momentarily, then relaxes once more. Confused but excited, I try it again, this time using Rex’s name. His hand twitches. I try telling him my name again, and a small sound gurgles up from his throat.
My eyes widen. He’s almost talking! “Yes! Yes… dad. It’s me. It’s Crystal.” It’s a little weird calling this stranger ‘dad,’ but I figure it will help draw him out of his coma.
“Cry… Crystal?” he asks, slurring the name.
“Yes! I’m right here!” I’m getting excited now.
“…Crystal?” he repeats, sounding stronger.
“Yes! This is Crystal! I’m here! Please, sit up! You’re okay! Come on!” He slowly opens his eyes, but they don’t focus on anything. I help him sit up.
“Crystal? Is… no. It… can’t be.” His eyes slowly focus on my face. His eyes widen and tears begin making their way down his cheeks. He grabs my hand again. “Crystal… it is you!”
“Yes. It’s me,” I confirm as he puts a hand on my face. I switch to my dragon eyes briefly to back up the claim before changing them back. He pulls me closer and I sit on the bed next to him.
“My… my beautiful daughter… where’s Rex? Is he here with you?”
“No. I’m sorry. I don’t have any idea where he is,” I tell him. His eyes sadden for a moment, but then they fill with joy again.
“But you’re here.”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Then that’s enough.” He finally tears his gaze away from my face to Nathan standing behind me. For a second, he’s confused.
“…Hunter?”
“No,” I quickly correct him, “This is my friend, Nathan Anderson. He’s from First Earth.”
“Ah,” he says. Every second he’s up, he seems to gain strength. “Nathan. I see. …You know, you look a little like a Dragon, my boy. …A member of the family, I mean,” he laughs. I’m amazed by his rapid transformation.
Nathan smiles uncertainly, but I can see hidden pain behind his eyes. “…Thanks,” he says.
It’s only now that Alexander notices the Queen on the other bed. “Pearl?” he asks, confused.
“Yes, that’s Pearl. She’s in a coma still, like you just were,” I inform him.
“Ah,” he nods. “I see.” After pulling out everything attaching him to the machines, I help him take the two steps to her bed. He sits on one side of her and I sit behind him to keep him from falling off the bed in case he doesn’t have enough strength. He does the same thing I did and holds her hand and talks to her. After a while, I join in and so does Nathan. She soon opens her eyes as well.
“…Xander?” she says. He nods, tears in his eyes, and hugs her. Nathan and I stand back and let them have a moment. When they’re finished, Alexander has me come over to them so Pearl can see me. I sit on the other side of the bed. She also puts her hand on my cheek as her eyes soak in my face. Reality doesn’t seem to set in immediately, but when it does, her tears start flowing and she hugs me too. Then they’re both hugging me, and I feel the love of family again for the first time in… well, ever since I was told I was adopted. But this time, it’s with my true family. The family I didn’t know existed a year ago. The Dragon Family.
After they release me, I have to tell them the whole story over again, since they didn’t really hear and understand anything I said while they were in my comas. Nathan runs to grab me water as I talk. Once I finish, they tell me theirs, although I already know it. I knew that Patrick messed with that video. I already knew that Thaddeus was telling the truth about what happened, but it’s still nice to hear it from them.
When they’re done, Nathan and I help them outside so they can get some real food. The doctors we pass are awestruck. My dad greets them with a happy wave and a laugh, which just increases their bewilderment. Apparently he hasn’t been this happy since before I was born, and everyone who knew him is blown away by the change. I laugh with him, his joy so overwhelming that I just can’t help but revel in it as well.
We find the Village cook, who freezes in shock at the sight of her King and Queen. She, like the others of the Vill
age, had only just discovered my true identity after I was rescued from Patrick. Pearl smiles and tells her that she missed her as well. The cook pulls herself together and rushes forward to hug the Queen before hurrying away to grab the only food she had ready- sandwiches. She apologizes profusely, but Pearl just smiles gently and thanks her, assuring her that it’s just fine. As soon as we leave, the cook, eyes still wide with shock, runs off to alert the Village to the return of their King and Queen.
We sit at the nearest table and start eating. I didn’t realize I was so hungry. I was too preoccupied with meeting my parents for the first time to notice that the entire day had slipped away, the sun already having set. I wolf down the sandwich and sigh with satisfaction. Just as I finish, a group of people come and surround us. I frown, bothered, but Alexander just laughs and waves to the people, greeting most by name. I’m surprised. No wonder everyone loves them; they love everyone they meet, and clearly care about them individually! I suddenly feel guilty. I don’t act like that. I care about myself more than some stranger. I swallow. And since they’re my family, I’ll be expected to be like them! I feel a sudden wave of panic and am almost overwhelmed, but I force it down.
The crowd slowly disperses as it gets colder. Before we find a place to sleep for the night, Alexander and Pearl want to visit Thaddeus. So Nathan and I help them to his house. After I knock, Thaddeus opens the door, wearing his pajamas. At first, what he’s seeing doesn’t quite register. His mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, and his eyes stare as though they’d never need to blink again. “P- Pearl?” he stammers.
She smiles. “Hello, Uncle Thaddeus! It’s been a long time!”
He still can’t seem to stop staring. I can’t help but grin. I’ve never seen him lost for words before! “Why… yes, it certainly has. C… come on in,” he stammers, opening the door all the way and ushering us into his house.
After we’re all seated at the small table, he just stares at the King and Queen for a while. I start to feel a little awkward, but my parents don’t seem to mind. They just continue smiling as they wait for him to recover. Once he does, the three talk for hours. Nathan and I eventually leave, finding some couches to sleep on.
*****
When we wake the next morning, we find that they had talked all through the night. Alexander and Pearl look much more solemn now than they had before. Thaddeus must have caught them up about the war with the Dragon Hunters are waging in Zilferia. They push the worry from their faces and smile at us as we walk back into the kitchen. The five of us then go back into the Village for breakfast, where we once again have to deal with almost the entire population of the Village. Thaddeus shoos the crowd away, telling them to let the King and Queen get some rest before their attention is pulled in so many directions at once.
We finally introduce Nora and Greg to them formally. Nora tells me after that I am more like Pearl than I think. Somehow, this thought comforts me, as I see now just how amazing and sweet she really is.
After we eat, we head to the Dragon palace- the largest building in the Village, by far. The closest is the building Thaddeus was always in, which I guess is kind of like a government building, but even that is only about a third the size of the palace. Nathan and I gaze up at it in awe. It’s made of stone with bronze and gold throughout, and there are a lot of steeples and stairs. It’s built into the side of the mountain by the Village. It has an ancient feel to it, and yet it also seems… almost new. From the outside, it looks like it has probably six stories, but there’s probably some of it underground as well. Needless to say, it’s impressive.
Pearl notices our stares and smiles, a little self-conscious. “This castle was built with the help of the dragons for Alex when she first came back to the Village with Jack. My family has owned it since then; we just hand it down from generation to generation for the King and Queen.”
“Have all the Kings and Queens been part of the Dragon family?” Nathan asks as we start up the stone steps leading to the front door of the castle.
“Well, ever since Alex’s time. …Thaddeus told you about her, right?” We nod.
“Of course, I did!” Thaddeus protests. “How could I leave something like that out? I also told them the protocol when someone in the royal Dragon family got married, too! The question is… do they remember?”
“Yes,” I reply. “The fiancé would be taken to the dragons to be judged. They would look into their heart and if they were good people, then the dragons would bestow the last name of ‘Dragon’ upon them. The same thing happened to the children of the Dragons- they would be judged.”
Thaddeus nods, satisfied. “Very good. But of course, that story has a special meaning to you, doesn’t it? …Since you’re now a part of that history.” I nod, a little embarrassed. Alexander laughs and we keep climbing.
When we get inside, Nathan and I stop dead in awe once again. I look around in awe at the amazing interior. And I thought the outside was brilliant and ornate! The Dragons’ home looks warm and inviting, stylish, open, and peaceful. There are different shades of brown and gold throughout, and the soft beige carpet really makes the place feel comforting and like a real home. Pearl chuckles when she sees our faces. “It’s pretty big for our little family, but I think it’s nice, don’t you?” Nathan and I manage to nod.
“You could fit the whole Village in here!” Nathan finally exclaims.
“Well, yes, we have thrown a few parties for the Village here, but not for a while. That reminds me… I think we have a celebration in order! Our lost daughter has found her way back to us!” At this, they all cheer. The color in my face instantly deepens.
“Not only that,” Thaddeus adds, “but the two of you have come out of your comas and are alive and well! That’s what the Villagers will really want to celebrate- they’ve already had an event for Crystal.” Nathan and I laugh and it’s Alexander and Pearl’s turn to look a little uncomfortable. As we laugh, a door opens behind the King and Queen deeper into the palace. A plump, pleasant looking lady steps slowly into the room, a look of surprise and disbelief spreading across her face. Tears well up as she takes it in, staring as if trying to convince herself that what she’s seeing is real. I smile. Nathan then notices the woman as well.
I turn to Pearl and quietly inform her of the visitor. She grins an turns to see for herself. She beams as she sees the lady. “Matilda!” Alexander then turns as well. He laughs delightedly. “Matilda, how are you, my dear friend?” Pearl continues. Tears fill Matilda’s eyes and she rushes forward and embraces the Queen.
“Pearl! How… you’re better! I… I thought that… you…” she breaks off and pulls away from Pearl, embarrassed. “Oh… I’m so sorry. I should… give the returning Queen a more respectful welcome… but oh, dear, you’ve gotten so thin!! I’ll go fix you up something to eat right now!” She then hurries off back through the door, a new sense of purpose in her step. She calls back, “Lunch will be ready in a little while! I’m overjoyed to see that you two are back and healthy… although you could always do with a little more meat on your bones!” she adds, laughing.
When the door closes behind her, Nathan and I turn to the King and Queen. “Who was that?” Nathan asks.
“That was my good friend and personal chef, Matilda,” Pearl replies with a smile. “Oh, but where are my manners? I need to show you to your room!” she exclaims, putting her hand on my shoulder and leading me towards a hallway on the right. “I mean, we are a family again, and you should really stay here with us…” She continues, but I let her voice fade away as I think.
A… family? Now I’m concerned. I already have a family; on Earth. And I love them, even though I know that they aren’t my real family. I knew them much longer than Alexander and Pearl, and they are the ones who actually raised me… but these are my real parents, and they obviously need me… but so does my family on Earth! I now have a life in two different realms, and I can’t choose between them! I love them both; the simple normality on Second Eart
h, fitting into the crowd, just being normal… but here, I’ve made friends with many people and creatures, and the life in the limelight is actually a little appealing… and I have a sense of purpose. My parents missed me so much they almost died, so I can’t just leave them… but I also can’t abandon the ones who raised me and cared about me… I sigh in frustration. I can’t do this! I can’t choose between two parts of myself! I clench my fists, a battle raging in my heart.
I swallow and push the thoughts aside as much as I can so I can concentrate on following Pearl as she leads us toward my room. Nathan and Alexander follow behind. We go up another flight of stairs and stop at the top, in front of a wooden door with a gold emblem of a phoenix blazed into the middle of it. Pearl turns back to us and smiles. “Ready?” she asks. I nod and watch as she twists the golden handle and pushes the door open, revealing a room beyond my wildest dreams.
The ‘room’ is huge- the same size as my entire house on Second Earth. A King size bed is on the far wall beside a large window, the frame of the bed made of silver and the posts shooting up above it. A white cloth hangs down from it, surrounding three of the sides, since the headboard is pushed up against the wall, which is painted a warm brown. A large bookcase stands next to it.
A table is on the other side of the room with another considerably large window right above it, which sends the golden light of day pouring into the room, which draws my attention to a glass dresser near it. I walk over and find a finger scanner on it. Putting my thumb on it, a light flashes across the bottom and a beep sounds while a green light appears next to the handle. I grab the silver handle and gently pull it down. Looking back at my parents, they smile and nod for me to go in.
