Dragons

I had to run, to move, to hide. They were coming. They would find me and kill me. I had to get away. I had no silver, nothing to defend myself. Oh dear god they would kill me. The night was black, no moon to light the way, only stars. I saw the gray outline of a building, and ran to it gratefully. Safety, I though. It was a small steel shack, hopefully the metal had some silver, to block me from the dragon's gaze. I quickly bolted the door and barricaded it with a few tools, but too late. It had found me. I heard the flapping of its wings as it landed. Then the terrible silence before I knew it would destroy my defenses and kill me. Then small paws scratched at the door. I instinctively moved to open it, then stopped. I'd heard the stories of the dragons shifting into the shapes of dogs and cats to trick people into letting them in. I backed away from the door. The fact that the dragon was trying to trick me into letting it in meant that I was safe. The corrugated metal must have some percent of silver in it. I was safe. Then I heard it.

"Fine, you know what, fine. I tried to nicely ask, but no, no, no. I have to barge in. I have to expend my energy and hurt myself to get a decent meal. This job really sucks. I need a raise. Yes Fang, you have to flush out the humans while others eat it, blah, blah, blah. Flushing is a noble calling. I don't care if it's noble or not as long as I get to eat." The dragon finished picking the lock, hissing periodically as the silver burned his flesh. I smiled, I would be no easy meal. Silence for a moment. Maybe it had left, gone off in search for easier pray.

"Ah-ha! Yes! I finally some decent food." The door whooshed open, and in came a man with the fur and eyes of a panther. Dragons could shape shift into any animal or person of their choosing, even manipulate the flesh. "This meal should be fantastic! Took me long enough. Best meal I'll have all we-" He did a double take as he looked at me. "WHAT?! ARE YOU JOKING? I FLEW MY BUTT OFF AND BURNED MYSELF JUST TO GET A SKIMPY MEAL LIKE YOU! REALLY?!" I smiled. Maybe it would just go away, maybe I was too small for him. I was only an eight year old. Small and lean, I didn't have much meat on me. Then he sighed. "Waste no want not." It muttered to itself, then started towards me. No this couldn't happen. I frantically though. I have to survive. Had to live.

"Please don't kill me." I begged. That gave the dragon pause, I took my chance. I ran towards the door, barreling straight at the dragon. Zero to twenty in three seconds, that had to be a record. The dragon looked surprised, but his reflexes took effect to quickly. It caught me. I was counting on this. I kicked off the left wall, slamming him into the right. Thing about dragons, silver is the only thing that can harm them, burning them on contact. The dragon made full contact with the wall, making him spasm in pain. I heard the loud crunch of bones snapping. Weak cat bones, it wouldn't be following me for a while.

Sprinting out the door to freedom. I ran headfirst into a massive dragon. It was in it's natural shape, hulking and huge it was more than double the size of the shed. I backed away, then hit the dragon in the shape of a panther man that had just emerged from the shed. I stared at him, how? He should be dead. I should be dead. Three days, no sleep, no food, barley any water. Then a massive, clawed hand encompassed me, and the world turned black as I welcomed unconsciousness.