Raising Dragons

by Bryan Davis

  Mr. Foley put a hand on the shoulder of her coat and gave it a squeeze. “Take your time,” he said quietly. He pressed the accelerator. The car moved ahead and turned onto a smoother road. “I have no idea what happened up there, but there’s something I do know.” He took a deep breath and went on. “That blood on your face was the cost of doing the right thing.”

  Bonnie lifted her head and busily wiped the tears away. She sniffed hard and nodded. “Thank you.” She looked at him, and their eyes met. She smiled through the pain. “Thank you for believing in me.”

  Billy opened his eyes. At first all he could see were white walls in front and to the left, with instruments of some kind dangling from shiny silver hooks. To his right, pale yellow curtains hung from tracks in the ceiling, and directly in front of him a portable table held a water pitcher and a Styrofoam cup. He tried to turn his head to the right, but a sharp pain near his left temple made him stop. As he raised his hand to touch his head, he noticed layers of medical gauze and tape wrapped around the base of his index finger. A thin plastic tube followed his movement, stretching out and tightening when he extended his arm. He followed the line with his eyes to an IV bag hanging from a metal pole.

  “A hospital?” he murmured.

  He felt a warm hand touch his right arm. “Billy?”

  Billy turned toward the voice, this time ignoring the pain. “Mom?”

  His mother stood and clasped his hand in both of hers. “Billy. Welcome back.”

  “Back? Where have I been?”

  Her smile was as broad as an ocean. “Unconscious, for going on two days. Do you remember what happened?”

  Billy squinted and tried to sit up. “Ohhh! My head!” He slowly laid his head back on the pillow and turned to his mother. “Did the dragon—I mean, did Dad get away? Do you know?”

  “Yes. Your father is fine.” She stroked his arm soothingly. “But you got hurt pretty badly, so you were brought here.”

  “Here? Where’s here?”

  “Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins.”

  Billy lifted his hand again. “Why’s this tape on my finger?”

  “I wouldn’t let them take it off, so they just taped it.”

  “You wouldn’t let them take my finger off?”

  “No, silly! Not your finger.”

  He felt more dazed than ever. Nothing his mother said seemed to make any sense. “What happened?”

  “There’s someone in the waiting room who wants to tell you the whole story.”

  “Who? Walter? The professor? I remember seeing them, but—”

  Billy’s mother put a finger on his lips. “Just stay still. The doctor said you would probably wake up this morning, so everyone’s waiting to see you, but they can only come in one at a time.” She got up and stepped toward the door. “I’ll get the first one, and I’ll be back later.”

  Billy still felt confused. “Everyone?”

  Right after his mother left, a nurse came in the door. She took his vital signs, checked the IV, and spoke a few soft words before leaving, but Billy wasn’t really listening. He just stared at the door, wondering who would come in to let him know what was going on. Dazed and throbbing, he recalled only images of his father’s battle against the slayer. The rest of his time on the mountain was a blur.

  A few seconds later, Bonnie peeked in. When she saw Billy’s eyes open, she limped to the bed as fast as she could and threw her arms around his shoulders. She grabbed his right hand, and her voice sang like a meadowlark. “Billy, I’m so glad to see you again. I was afraid we were going to lose you.”

  He smiled weakly. “I guess I’m like a bad habit. You just can’t get rid of me.”

  Bonnie laughed, and her infectious joy spread. Billy tried to laugh, too, but he had to stop. He spread his palm over his bandage. “Sorry. My head’s killing me.” He looked back at Bonnie and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re my friend, Bonnie. You’re the best.”

  Glistening tears formed in Bonnie’s eyes. “And you’re the very best friend I’ve ever had. When you thought Devin had me, you risked your life again to save me.”

  “I figured out that he didn’t have you, but a little too late. Did you come all the way back from Montana just to see me?”

  Bonnie laughed and explained the whole story, relating the tale of Devin’s defeat and Clefspeare’s recovery. She told him about dropping Devin’s sword, and they pledged to search for it together when he got well. Billy, his memory quickly returning, told about the evil knights and how two died and about how he tangled with the dark knight, Palin. They both concluded that they still didn’t know what happened to him or to Devin.

  “But,” Bonnie explained, “I’m sure at least one of them is still around. When I went home to get my stuff, my room was torn apart. Someone was obviously looking for something, but I didn’t notice anything missing.”

  “Did you find the candlestone? Maybe he thinks you have it.”

  Bonnie shook her head. “I didn’t want to try to find it, and I hope the slayer never goes back to look for it. But I suppose he might, if he’s still alive. I guess we’ll have to look for it eventually.”

  Billy breathed a deep sigh and gazed at Bonnie’s glowing face. Even with the painful abrasion under her left eye and the purple bruise on her jaw, he had never seen a more beautifully noble sight. Those wounds are love scars, Billy thought. Yes, love scars.

  He glanced toward the door. “Who else is out there?”

  Bonnie started counting on her fingers and stifled a giggle. “Your mom and the professor are here. Walter and my parents were here, too, but when the doctor said it might be hours before you woke up, my parents went out to get something for everyone to eat. They’ll be back soon.”

  Billy watched Bonnie’s hands and then turned to face her again. “Your parents? You mean your foster parents showed up? That’s great! Were they cleared of the neglect charges?”

  Bonnie nodded. “They were cleared, but . . .” She leaned over and whispered in Billy’s ear. “I meant Walter’s parents and mine. The Foleys are adopting me!”

  Billy’s eyes opened wide, and he grinned. “That’s awesome, Bonnie. So you’re Bonnie Foley now?”

  She shook her head. “The paperwork’s not all done yet, but I asked if I could keep my old name.”

  “Your old name? What did you say it was? Conner?”

  She shook her head again. “That was my mom’s married name. I’m keeping the name she gave me, Silver. Actually, that was one of the names my mom’s used over the centuries.”

  Billy narrowed his lips and nodded approvingly. “That’s okay by me. Bonnie Silver has a nice ring to it. But didn’t you like your father’s name?”

  Bonnie turned her head to the side and frowned. “If you knew what my father did to us, you wouldn’t want his name, either. And something Devin said makes me wonder . . .”

  Billy decided not to ask for details. “Did you tell the Foleys about your . . . ?” He stopped and pointed at her backpack.

  “No. I haven’t decided about that yet. I’ve hidden it this long; I think I can hide it a little while longer. But I guess I’ll have to say something before everything’s finalized.”

  “So,” Billy said, “at least for now, we’re all in the same house, you, me, and Walter, and we’re going to school at home with the professor teaching us. This is going to be great!”

  Bonnie pulled on the straps of her backpack and smiled. “Couldn’t be better.”

  Billy was about to nod, but his happiness suddenly died away. “Well it could be better,” he said coldly. “My father’s still living in a cave.” He turned his head and stared at the fluorescent lights, and Bonnie rested her elbows on the bed rails while he went on. “No more fun times together, no trips to the beach, no ball games . . . But at least he’s alive.” He turned again to face Bonnie. “It’s kind of weird, but I still dream about him as a human, like I’ll go home someday and everything will be back to normal.”

  Bonni
e listened quietly, letting Billy’s words sink in. He noticed her lower lip tremble ever so slightly and pools of wetness form in her eyes. “I have a favorite Bible verse,” she finally said. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” She wiped her eyes with her knuckles and went on. “I don’t know what’s left in the prophecy, but I’m sure your father’s involved somehow. And since you and I can both fly, we can go see him any time we want.”

  “Fly? I can’t fly.”

  “In Merlin, you can! Or should I say Merlin the Second?”

  “Merlin the Second?”

  “The insurance is going to cover the plane, and you and your mom can fly to Elkins in less than an hour. She told me she has her pilot’s license.”

  Billy nodded slowly. “That’d be cool,” he said, but his voice was only halfhearted.

  Bonnie took his hand again, and she gazed at him with probing eyes. “Billy, we have to have faith. It’s all going to work out.”

  Billy felt the coolness of Bonnie’s soft touch and also something new. He held up her hand to take a look and noticed a ring on her finger. “What’s this? I haven’t seen this before.”

  “It’s a rubellite, just like yours. Your mom went back to the Foley’s to get some clothes, and the gemstone was there on the porch. So she went right out and had it cut and polished and put into a ring for me. She said she’s sure that’s what your dad wanted.”

  Billy gazed at it for a moment while Bonnie went on.

  “Your father said there’s still more to be fulfilled in the prophecy, and it’s all been true so far. That’s good reason to have faith.”

  Billy released Bonnie’s hand. “Yeah, that’s true, but what about Devin and Palin?”

  “We’ll just have to deal with whatever comes.”

  Billy didn’t answer. He just smiled and gazed at Bonnie’s face, amazed at her ability to overcome anything.

  “I’ve spent more than my share of time here,” she said. “The professor’s coming in next, and he has something for you.” She limped toward the door, and when she reached it, she turned, smiled, and blew a kiss. “Get well soon, Billy. I have a feeling we have a lot more adventures ahead of us.” She opened the door, stepped into the hall, and then looked back again. “Just remember,” she said, holding her hand over her heart, “even though I’m going to be Walter’s sister, I’ll always be your sister, in here.” With that, she shut the door, and Billy stared at the wall and then closed his eyes, listening to Bonnie’s uneven footsteps as they faded in the distance.

  Within a few seconds, the door opened again, and a familiar British accent boomed. “William! It’s so good to see you again!”

  Billy opened his eyes and watched the professor stride in. “Hi, Prof—”

  “William,” the professor interrupted. “I have something very special for you.” He didn’t wait for Billy to respond and turned toward the hallway. “Walter! The coast is clear!”

  Walter walked in, hunched over, with his coat fully zipped. With a wiggling lump struggling under his coat, he looked like he had swallowed a live wolverine. Walter held his hand over the thrashing bulge and grunted, “Be still!”

  “Shhh!” the professor warned. “If the nurses find out, we’re . . . how do you say it? Dead meat?”

  Walter unzipped his coat, pulled out a squirming, hairy mass, and laid it on Billy’s stomach.

  “Gandalf!” Billy cried out. “Where did you find him?”

  Walter stripped off his coat and shook his head. “You don’t want to know!”

  “The solution was quite simple, actually,” the professor said, “but the journey was very trying. We found Gandalf’s old bed in the ruins of your house, and Hambone sniffed it and did the rest. He ran us all over the neighborhood, under cars, through several gardens, and into and out of two homes. I had to climb into three trees, onto a slippery roof, and over a barbed wire fence.”

  “And I had to carry a shovel all over the neighborhood,” Walter added. “Wherever he stopped and sniffed, I dug a hole to see what he found.”

  Billy bit his lip to keep from laughing. “And what kind of stuff did you find?”

  Walter began counting on his fingers. “Gandalf’s squeaky rat toy, the collar he lost a year ago, and various—” He looked up at the professor. “Uh . . . various kitty leavings.”

  Billy laughed in spite of the pain, and he stroked Gandalf’s long, lush coat. The cat arched his back and then curled up on Billy’s chest. “So, where did you finally find him?”

  “Oh, yes,” the professor continued. “Actually, he was under your bed at the Foley’s house.”

  “What? What was he doing—”

  “And that’s not all!” the professor interrupted again. He slipped his hand under his vest and pulled out a glass, baby-food-sized jar.

  Billy stared at the black, angular pieces inside. “Shark teeth?”

  “Yes,” he said, placing the jar next to a flower vase, “quite a number of fine specimens. Walter discovered them on his doorstep yesterday morning, and he said you would probably like to have them here at your bedside.

  Billy gave Walter a thumbs up sign, and Walter returned it, adding a quick, tight-lipped nod.

  The professor reached under his coat again. “And last but not least . . .” He pulled out a miniature tape player and wedged a small earphone into Billy’s ear. “Yesterday’s lecture notes,” he announced proudly, “all recorded on tape. You can play them while you relax.”

  Billy adjusted the earpiece to make it more comfortable. “Uh, thanks Professor, but I think I’ll be too tired to—”

  “Nonsense.” The professor gathered the cat and put the tape player at Billy’s side. “Surely you’re not too tired to lie here and listen. Later I’ll ask you some questions, and we’ll have a nice talk. Miss Silver told me some of her story, but she seemed quite reticent. I should like to learn more about the sword I saw in Devin’s supply closet and to study the rubellite ring on your finger as well. I also wish to show you a most interesting book Walter found, but everything must wait until your wounds are healed.” He paused and gazed down at Billy’s head bandage. “I discovered that you have quite an interesting lineage, William, and I predict you will learn much about yourself in the very near future, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

  Walter gave Billy a strong handshake, holding on as if he would rather not let go. Their eyes met, and they each nodded with firm-set jaws. They didn’t have to say a word. Their friendship had been sealed forever.

  Walter took Gandalf from the professor and tried to hide him under his coat again, but the cat had other ideas. He leaped from Walter’s grasp and zoomed into the hall. “You crazy cat!” Walter yelled. “Come back here!” He gave Billy a quick wave and dashed from the room.

  Professor Hamilton grasped the bed rails, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Well, I should be going, too. It’s wonderful to see you recovering.” He pointed at the tape player. “Did I mention that Miss Silver read the notes for me on the recording?” The professor winked. “Get well soon, William.” And he left the room.

  Suddenly, all was quiet. The old gentleman’s words settled in Billy’s mind, gently caressing his soul. They echoed and whispered questions over and over, reminding him that many mysteries remained unsolved. What would the professor teach him from the book? Would they ever find the sword? And, of course, how in the world did Dad get shark teeth into a jar and deliver them to Walter’s house?

  He slowly shook his head in wonder. I guess we dragons have our ways!

  Billy glanced at the cassette player at his side and noticed once again the gauze tape on his finger. He picked at the tape until he was able to unwind it. Slowly, as each layer peeled away, the shape of his treasured ring became clear. When he stripped off the final bit of tape, the rubellite appeared. He used his thumb to rub away the sticky remnants and then held the stone close to admire its beautiful
, dark red shine. For the first time, he noticed how it reflected everything in the room, the ceiling, the lights . . . and his face. He saw himself in his father’s ring. The image was sharp, the details clear. For some reason, he no longer grimaced at the thought. He was indeed the son of a dragon.

  And he wasn’t alone as a dragon child. He thought of Bonnie, his partner in adventure, a friend closer than a sister, and now she, too, shared this symbol, a simple rubellite ring that reflected more than what lay on the surface; it somehow revealed their inner character and represented their faith in each other. Billy knew he could trust Bonnie with his life, yet he couldn’t help but feel that something was still missing, a void within himself, a strange, deep-seated hunger that even this amazing young lady could never fill.

  He took a deep breath and sighed. Bonnie was right. Their adventures together were only just beginning, and maybe the future would hold the answers Billy was seeking. Who could tell what life would be like for a couple of dragon kids?

  Billy smiled, pressed the button on the tape player, and leaned back, closing his eyes. “Maybe I’m not too tired after all.”

  For more information on Raising Dragons and other titles in the Dragons in Our Midst series, go to the series website, www.dragonsinourmidst.com. There you will be able to contact the author and participate in discussions with other readers about these exciting books.

  OTHER BOOKS BY BRYAN DAVIS

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Merlin’s Riddle

  Chapter 1: Dragon Breath

  Chapter 2: The Bathroom Incident

  Chapter 3: The Mysterious Principal

  Chapter 4: Bonnie Silver

  Chapter 5: Darkness and Light

  Chapter 6: Bonnie’s Secret

  Chapter 7: The Bat Creature

  Chapter 8: The Slayer’s Wrath