by N. A. Hydes
Amazingly, she made it to her dorm room without being seen. When she turned on the light, Belinda’s rose perfume filled her senses. She walked over to her dresser and laid out her favorite pajamas, Christmas sleepwear featuring Santa leading seven reindeer on a blue background.
Next, she went to her clean clothes, sitting in the laundry basket, waiting for her on her bed. She grabbed her jeans, a shirt, and some undergarments. As a habit, she gave her clothes the sniff test and smelled the fresh fabric softener she used. She found her gym bag and loaded it up with supplies.
Jennifer needed socks and shoes. She didn’t hike often and had worn her favorite running shoes camping this weekend. She opened her closet door, wondering what had happened to the shoes she had been wearing.
Whenever she replaced her running shoes, she always kept the old pair. She dug the old joggers out from underneath the dirty clothes haphazardly tossed in her closet. She grabbed two pairs of socks out of the drawer and placed one beside the shoes and the other in the bag.
Quickly she grabbed a towel and shower supplies and took a five-minute shower. She knew Matt was waiting, but she felt funky with all the creek water on her.
When Jennifer was out and dry, she decided she should treat her feet to fight infection. Her parents had insisted she keep a medical kit in her dorm room. Jennifer had placed it under her bed. After retrieving the first aid supplies, she cleaned, sanitized, and bandaged her wounds.
Finally, she dressed in her favorite pajamas, complete with socks and shoes, and headed out the door carrying her supplies for the night.
7
Dr. Nick Smith
Petr, now known as Dr. Nick Smith, surveyed his study, looking for his phone. In his guest bedroom, which was also his study, he had a small twin bed and a desk; both had papers scattered everywhere. The dark cherry hardwood floors had disappeared, blocked by even more documents.
Petr walked to the kitchen, searching for his phone, wearing nothing but his boxers. Unlike the rest of the house, the kitchen was pristine, as if no one ever used it. There on the counter, near his coffee pot, was a wireless phone.
He grabbed a coffee cup out of the cabinet; he carefully measured the freshly ground beans and made a cup of joe. He looked at the clock and saw the time was just about six in the morning.
Once Petr had his coffee and phone, he headed towards his office. The house once again disappeared into piles of papers and books. He went to sit on his black leather chair in front of his laptop and dialed Solomon’s number. Deciding to pace as he talked, Petr stood back up, walking to his bedroom, almost tripping on his shoe abandoned in the center of the floor.
The bedroom was also simple and messy, sporting only a king-size bed of dark wood, a dresser, and a closet. At least the dresser had a mirror above it.
A woman with a rich, husky voice and a strange accent answered the phone’s third ring. “Hello.”
“Hello, Illuyanka,” Petr responded. “Is Solomon there?”
“Oh, hello, Petr. Solomon is reading. Let me get him for you,” she greeted.
Petr looked at the dresser and saw a note stuck to the mirror about grading the mid-term exams. Before Thanksgiving break was over, he would have to work on those.
A few minutes later, he heard, “Petr, my friend, how are you?”
“I am well,” he replied, but then Petr’s voice changed, going from one language to another to discuss what he was working on. “I have felt an Awakening, my friend.”
“I talked with Che-non today; he reports the dragon he is with only heard it faintly. He has headed into the mountains to see if the Dragon King or Queen can give us any insight.”
“This was the strongest I have ever heard it. It might have finally happened,” Petr answered.
Solomon paused for a second. “Maybe, my friend, but do not jump to conclusions. I was wrong with the missionary’s son Joshua, and he is no longer with us. We need to be careful and observe facts. We have to get to the child first.”
“Did Illuyanka hear the Awakening?” he asked, knowing a dragon would be more in tune with an Awakening.
“Yes. She believes you are the closest to the child. Please be careful. If we are aware of the child, so are the Immortals.” The Immortals were people who killed dragons, not for sport, but so they could eat different parts of them and partially absorb the dragon’s abilities. The dragon’s heart kept an individual from dying from natural causes; thus, it was the most desired part. The long life of individuals who killed dragons for the heart was why the dragon tribes called them the Immortals. As far as Petr knew, there were currently fourteen Immortals.
“The Immortals won’t get to him. I think it has finally happened,” Petr answered.
“Roz and Perun would be pleased. My friend, don’t be too hasty. Don’t jump to conclusions. Is there anyone else it could be? What about Che-non’s theory that children of dragons are attracted to each other? Have you investigated any of his friends?”
“I have investigated three of his friends that he seems to spend most of his time with, including his roommate. I still have a few other people to research. So far, my research has turned up none of the known bloodlines.”
Solomon paused. “Good hunting, my friend, and keep us posted. When I talk with Che-non, I will let him know you are on it. I imagine he will call you before the end of the week.” He laughed slightly. “That is, if he can find a phone.”
“How is Illuyanka?” Petr asked. Illuyanka, born a dragon from two African dragons, was pregnant with their third child. Dragons typically were lucky to have children every fifty years. The time frame was longer for African dragons, and she conceived every hundred years. With infertility so high and her husband being human, all the births had been fragile human children. Illuyanka feared losing a child, as any mother would. Whenever she was pregnant, she seemed to be more nervous and worried. So far, none of their descendants were dragons. Human children born from dragons had extended human lifespans–but they still died. Continually losing a child that she loved was difficult for Illuyanka.
“She is anxious to see the new little one,” Solomon answered. “I now have had two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two great-great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-great-grandchild. None of them have enough traits for me to think they will be the one.” He sounded both sad and elated, if that was possible. “Call me soon and let me know what you find about Roz’s descendant.”
“Will do. Bye, Solomon,” Petr answered in English. After hearing a similar farewell from Solomon, he hung up the phone. Petr took his slightly lukewarm coffee and headed back to the kitchen. He poured some warm coffee over whatever was already in his cup and then went to his desk to research the girl Matt seemed to spend his time with, Jennifer.
8
Matt’s Apartment
On the drive back to his apartment, Matt started planning again. He was going to have to fix whatever had happened this weekend. Matt had done nothing to cause Jennifer to see a bear, take off her shoes and clothes, and run around naked. He smiled at the thought of her running around naked. His imagination led to more fantasies.
Matt scooted around in his seat until he was comfortable and tugged on his pants. He hoped Jennifer didn’t have trust issues with him after whatever happened.
Matt looked over to the passenger seat to see what she was doing. She was wearing Santa pajamas with Santa Claus, cute, but he had always pictured her in boxer-type shorts and a tight top. Maybe he could suggest some?
“Before we arrive,” Matt started, “let’s forget everything that happened from the time of the kiss till right now.”
“Agreed,” Jennifer said.
Matt shared the apartment with Doug and Lauren. Doug was one of Matt’s high school friends. Doug had been his football captain his freshman year in high school, which made them more than friends, and Cougars always watched out for each other. When Matt declared his intent to attend South Holt Univers
ity, Doug sent him a message asking if he wanted to share an apartment with him and his girlfriend, Lauren. Matt liked the idea of being with his high school buddy, and he quickly agreed to it.
The first few weeks in July at the new apartment were a little different than Matt had imagined. Doug was almost ready to graduate from college with a psychology degree, and his appearance had changed. He had put on a belly, smoked a pipe, and grew an untamed beard. His hair was getting long, and Doug would pull it into a man-bun. If Matt hadn’t known him in high school, he would have never thought this was the same guy.
Doug’s personality was the same. So, the two got along swimmingly, always planning and entertaining. One night, typically Monday, was game night. Wednesday was still Godzilla. Friday flipped from camping to parties. Matt and Doug liked their home being the hang-out spot.
Lauren, Doug’s girlfriend of two years, was in a master’s nursing program. She was not what Matt thought Doug would date: black hair, black clothing, black lipstick, and ultra-pale skin. Matt believed she was either Goth or Emo; he wasn’t sure. Lauren was sarcastic, though, dry as a desert bone that had sat in the sun for ten years. To his amazement, he quickly bonded with Lauren as tightly as he had with Doug. Doug and Lauren were like a giant extension of each other. Matt envied their relationship.
It was Lauren who convinced Matt to pursue Jennifer. Lauren was so different from the girls that Doug dated in high school. Matt would have never imagined Doug dating her. Maybe Matt should look outside of the cheerleader type as well. And Jennifer was beautiful, athletic, and geeky all at the same time.
Matt knew that Doug and Lauren were still at the campsite, so the house should be quiet. He was thankful for the time alone with Jennifer.
Matt pulled into the closest parking spot to the apartment. “Wait, okay?” he said as he turned off the engine, ran around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Jennifer. “Here.” Matt offered her his hand. Jennifer grabbed her gym bag and climbed out of the truck. Matt shut the door. “Please hand me that.” He reached out and took the bag. He shuffled her clothes over to his right hand to hold Jennifer’s hand with his left.
The sun was just coming out from behind the building in front of him. “It’s amazing no one saw you at the dorm.”
“Yeah, it was. Good thing people went home for Thanksgiving and haven’t made it back,” she responded.
“Yeah.”
Two children ran out of a first-level apartment and went past them. They were screaming something about playing tag while the slower of the two fiddled with buttoning his jacket.
“Are you hungry?” Matt asked.
“Mainly, I’m sleepy,” Jennifer answered. “How about you?”
“I’m hungry. We have some pizza in the fridge. I’ll just grab some when we get inside.” Matt let go of her hand to open the door. Smiling, he presented his apartment. “Me casa, your casa.” Jennifer grinned in response and walked inside.
The apartment smelled like a Glade Ocean Breeze air freshener covering a slight gym socks smell. Jennifer reached over to her left and turned on the light.
The apartment was simple—white walls and light brown carpet, except in the kitchen area where there was laminate. To the left was an entertainment center complete with a Xbox and matching headsets and a long off-white couch. The two outer seats of the couch became recliners. To the right was a small round glass table under an outdated brass chandelier. Behind the dining area was a bar connecting to the kitchen. The hall in front of them had four doors. The furthest door was the master, occupied by Lauren and Doug. Matt’s room was the closet door on the left. The other two doors led to Matt’s bathroom that doubled as a guest bathroom, and the laundry room.
Jennifer had been in the apartment before, but they had straightened the area since her initial visit. The beer and coke cans and the papers and books that once littered the apartment were missing.
Lauren’s few contributions to decoration were visible. Fresh flowers were sitting in a pitcher on the dining table, with four placemats surrounding the arrangement, and a picture of a bullfighter on velvet hung on the wall above.
“Nice, Matt, you’ve cleaned your apartment,” Jennifer commented.
Matt’s cheeks looked a little flushed, and he stared at the ground. “Lauren said it was the end of the mid-terms, and she expected the place cleaned.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “She was kind of serious about the threat. She said I would find my sheets cut into pieces and all my stuff outside if the apartment wasn’t clean.” He started laughing. “She’s scary when she’s angry.”
Jennifer walked over to the couch, leaving Matt standing by the open door. She sat down and bounced. “This will do. I didn’t bring any blankets. Do you have any I can borrow?” she asked.
“Jennifer, you can sleep in my bed if you want. I’ll sleep on the couch,” Matt insisted.
Jennifer acknowledged the answer with a smile. “Thank you, Matt.” She started heading towards his room. He walked up behind her, spun her around, and bent down for a kiss. She closed her eyes, waiting for the sparks that accompanied their first kiss. They were missing. Stranger still, the image of the man, Petr, was in her mind.
Outwardly, Jennifer did her best to give the appearance that the kiss was just as excellent. After all, she had had a confusing night, Petr didn’t exist, there was no way she killed and ate a bear, and all she needed was some sleep to make the experience just disappear. After tonight, Matt’s kiss would curl her toes again.
“Thank you,” she said to Matt. “I needed that.” She crawled into Matt’s bed and went to sleep.
The Beginning of Petr
Petr’s Dream-A Memory
It was the coldest winter Petr remembered in his sixteen years of life, and he had to leave the shelter of his home to go to the tribe meeting. Roz, his twin sister, wrapped another layer of fur around him.
As she placed the robe around his shoulders, her long, unusually pale blond hair divided, revealing the red streak, the patch of bright ruby at the same spot he had his white streak. Petr’s family lived among the nomads, best described as a clan or tribe. The clan felt the twins were blessed or cursed, blaming everything, including the weather, on their presence.
Roz had his blue-green eyes and nose. Unlike him, she wasn’t tall, not even coming up to his shoulders. Her teeth were almost all straight and perfectly shaped, her mouth pouty and full. Petr liked her mouth the most because it lit up the room with its warmth when she smiled. She was like a small flower, needing protection.
“I will go, too,” Roz announced. “This meeting is about me.” She stood taller. “It is my right.”
“No, Roz. It’s not right for you to talk to this man. Either I kill him tonight, or I bring him back as a brother. Which is it you want?” Petr responded.
“I didn’t see him. How do you know it is me he has asked for?”
“He said he came for the girl with white hair and the red streak as if she was touched by a god. That can only be you.”
“Petr, that was so long ago. It wasn’t cold like it is today. How could he remember me?”
“I will find out. Let Suski sleep near you.” Suski, the dark brown wolf-like dog, came to lie on Roz’s leather boots on command.
Petr looked around the room he called home. In the center was a fire pit. Bleached animal skins, held together with rope and bone, graced the walls, causing the room to glow a warm white, except for a small black patch from a single zebra pelt.
Around the fire were logs and more unbleached fur pelts of different animals. The house was barely warm, and other than the fire in the middle, it was dark.
Roz grabbed her brother’s sleeves. “Is it true he offered more than our entire village has, for me? For me to be his wife?” Petr could see the flames reflected in her eyes, and also her romantic hope.
“It is true,” he said and bit his lower lip. “Go and lie back down. I’ll be home soon,” he said and pointed towards the fire.
Petr left the building and headed towards the primary structure, where most of the families lived. His family was the only one that insisted on having their own tent. His dad was not from this tribe, and the thought of sleeping in the same room with everyone was uncomfortable for him.
Petr’s dad was much like the man waiting for his sister’s hand in marriage. Petr’s dad was a traveler and had found the village in the winter, barely alive and with few possessions on him. Petr’s mom fell in love with him while her family was taking care of the explorer.
Petr had recently lost both parents, his father to a hunting accident and his mother to illness. The tribe would welcome the addition of another hunter.
Snow crunched under his feet and pelted his face as he left the comfort of his home. It was dark, even though all light was reflecting off the piles of white powder.
When he arrived, the chief elder greeted him at the door. The chief grabbed his arm. “Petr, we have been waiting. Here is the man.” The elder, a tall man, pushed a stranger forward for Petr to inspect. The man desiring to marry Roz was taller than Petr. The suitor had blond hair, not as light as Roz, but blond. He even was sporting a blond beard. He couldn’t have been more than a few years older than Petr. Petr took his hands and opened the stranger’s mouth, making a close inspection of his unusually perfect teeth. Even at only sixteen, Petr had a tooth he was afraid he would lose.
“Where are you from?” Petr asked.
“West of here,” he said in a strange accent. He continued to hold his head up and allow the inspection.