Yashira Colón-Jiménez
Dragon-(Prompt)
Prompt: They say the ancient dragons died long ago, wiped off the face of the earth by the first lords for the safety of all. No one ever told you what danger they truly posed. Now you stand before one, eyes have met, yet it does not lift a claw to harm you…
You could feel every uneven breath you took, and your eyes tried to take all of the creature that sat before you, watching you almost lazily. You could just make out a wisp of smoke trailing from the end of its snout, circling its head like a crown, and you were sure you had never seen something so awe inspiring, or terrifying.
It shifted, and lowered its head, coming so close you could count out the individual scales, some you were sure as big as your head, that made a trail up its snout to the ridge of its head. Its two large eyes had irises of a bright teal, reminding you of a clear sea, though the moment the pupils slitted like a cat’s you felt your heart drop, skipping a beat or two.
And in the terrifying moments where this dragon was clearly sizing you up, trying to decide if you were a crunchy treat to enjoy with ketchup, or not; you felt the hairs along your skin stand up, before letting out a gasp as if you had been shocked with ice cold water and deprived of air for a second more than your lungs were comfortable with, and everything came into focus.
“They lied, it was slaughter…” And with your words, you swore the dragon smiled.