by Maia Starr
What I did know was that I loved him. Now that it was possible that I could never see him once again, I was angry at myself for leaving things between us in a strained manner. I did not want our last parting to be one of anger. I should have forgiven him and listened to him. But now it was too late. If I saw him again, I would forgive him. I will let him know that I loved him and would tell him over and over again a thousand times. It was only when I had lost something that I really understood the value of it. You think I would've learned that the first time I lost him.
“Fresh batch of cinnamon rolls!” the boat attendant shouted going around the deck.
As soon as he said it, I could smell them. My stomach grumbled. I was glad for the simple comfort of this sweet delicacy. There wasn't exactly a full kitchen on the ferry boat, but they had small items, like sandwiches, cereal, and, it seemed, cinnamon rolls.
I headed in to get a refill of coffee and a couple of these delicious rolls. I had a two-hour journey ahead of me. Once the boat docked, I still had to drive an hour or more to the cabin. I hoped that Gavonn was all right and that he had gotten away. I didn't know what the punishment would be for him if he did not.
Chapter 14
Captain Gavonn Viox
I sat in the large black vehicle as it moved away from the apartment building where Noelle lived. I was going to go along just to get away from her building. She needed a distraction in order to leave safely, and I was going to be that distraction.
I sat quietly in the chains even though I could easily bust out of them. I was playing along. I watched as the vehicle drove several blocks, each block decorated with Christmas lights.
I was waiting for the right time to make my move. It was still dark out, but there were small bits of daylight coming through between the buildings. The sun was about to make its appearance. I was glad. It was going to help me immensely. I had a plan.
It was almost time. I stared at the building to my left. The sun began to bounce off of it. It was a very bright light. It was time.
I took a deep breath and then in a flash shifted into dragon form. My wings spread out behind me hitting the warriors on either side of me.
“He is shifted! What do we do? Pull over!” the warriors shouted at each other. But the commotion was what I wanted. I pulled my wrist apart and broke the chains. I reached forward and punched the back of the driver’s head. It hit the steering wheel, and he passed out. The car went out of control. It bounced off of cars in traffic until it rolled over. It went better than I could've expected. I jumped at full speed toward the windshield. It shattered around me, and I flew out of the vehicle. I could hear the shouting behind me of the warriors. I flew straight up along the wall of the building and then flew straight toward the sun. Now no one could see me. Anyone staring in the direction of the sun would be blinded. They would not be able to make out my shape. This would also let anyone that saw me know that I was headed west; it would throw them off my track when I finally went in the direction that I meant to go to: north.
For now, I continued toward the sun until I was over the sea. I stopped and dove straight down. When I was a few feet above the water, I changed direction and skimmed across the surface. The waves would provide a good camouflage. No one on a boat would be able to see me in the sky. I was too low for them to be able to see exactly what I was. I blended in with the ocean. Now I could head north.
I hoped that Noelle had heard me. I hoped she understood that I wanted her to go to the cabin and that I would meet her there. I flew until I could no longer see the city. I could see large trees in a forest. It would be a good cover. I flew toward the forest and landed between very tall trees.
“This is a good place to take a break,” I said looking around. It was isolated forest. I walked around making sure that there were no roads or homes in sight. Then I sat down on a tree trunk that was laying across the snow.
I looked at my armband and pressed a few buttons. The information for the cabin appeared. It gave me coordinates to follow from where I was to get there. I had to make a choice. I could not fly there out in the open. I needed to stay under cover. I would have to make my way there through the forest. It was better if I walked for now and then once the sun began to set, I could fly between the trees. It was going to take me all day to get there, but I wasn't going to let anything stop me from seeing Noelle again.
I started tracking through the snow. It was good to take a break and just take a leisurely walk through the woods. I did like the forest of Earth. They were almost as beautiful as the forest of Mooreah, but not quite. Still, in the isolated forest where there were no humans around, there was a beauty to it. There was no destruction of the natural world in this area. I breathed in deeply. I could hear the running water of a nearby creek. I headed in that direction.
The creek had small chunks of ice in it. I scooped up water into my hands and drank a little. It was good. It tasted clean. I continued moving on. When I was separated from Noelle once more, I knew that I would do anything to see her again. We had been separated for too long. I thought that she was dead. Now that we had enjoyed some brief time together, I was not going to let her get away from me. Not ever again. I wanted to make my life with her now more than ever.
I pulled up the map on my armband. There were still many miles to go. I shifted out of dragon form and continued to walk in the forest. There was too much daylight in order to not be seen. So I walked as fast as I could.
Hours later, the sun began to set. I checked my map once again. I was about an hour away if I flew. That was doable. I had spent all day walking, and my wings were well rested. It was time to change my mode of transportation.
I shifted into dragon form. I ran and then took flight. I stayed low, flying between the tree trunks. It was actually a fun game, and I would be having a good time if I wasn't so worried that Noelle might not be waiting for me at the cabin. It was all that I could think about.
I flew hard and fast. More than half an hour went by, and it was completely dark now. I was able to fly faster and more recklessly knowing that I would not be started.
Then I heard a loud thunder. I looked up into the sky. Was a storm coming? That would not be good. It would be blizzard-like conditions in the snow, and that would create a challenge for my flying. I didn't have to worry about the temperature. I was a dragon. I was always hot, and I could create fire. But I would be stopped if the flying conditions were not good.
The thundering grew louder. It was then that I realized it was not coming from the sky. The sky was so clear I could see every single star. It definitely was not a storm, and I was glad for that. But what was the source of this thunder?
I followed the noise flying low between the trees. Then I saw the source. A large animal herd was rumbling through the forest. I got closer. They were this animal known as deer.
“Beautiful,” I said to myself as I watch them run together through the forest. They were headed in the same direction that I was. So I joined them. I flew over them, joining the herd. It made me feel very primal, like my most animal self. It was a thrilling experience.
Finally, I had to part with my new friends when they ventured off to the east, and I continued to go up north. I could see light at the head. It was a break in the tree line where there was no more forest. I flew to the tree line and got to my feet. There was a large field covered in snow and beyond that was a small cabin. There was smoke coming from the chimney and the warm glow of light.
“Noelle.”
Chapter 15
Noelle Evergreen
The ferry boat was getting close to port. We had about fifteen more minutes to go before it made it to the docks outside of Tarrytown. I was getting nervous. What if there were soldiers waiting for me? Earth soldiers, or possibly the Drackon. No, I could not let myself think about this. I had to act like everything was normal and not be a nervous mess. That would just give me away. I felt something at my feet as I stood at the rail of the ferry boat looking down at the w
ater.
“Excuse me, lady. My ball,” a little voice said.
I looked down to see a large red ball by my feet. A little boy of about four was coming toward me. He was absolutely adorable, and the cold air was making his cheeks pink. I picked up the ball.
“Here you go, little boy. That is a fine ball that you have there,” I said playfully.
"Thank you. It is the color of Christmas,” he said.
“Yes, it is. Just like the color of Santa Claus,” I said.
“You know Santa?” he asked.
I laughed. “I do not know him, but I hear that he is a very cool guy,” I said.
“I hope he comes to my house,” he said.
“I hope he comes to my house as well. But you seem like a nice boy. Have you been a good boy this year?” I asked.
“Yes,” he nodded his head enthusiastically.
“Then I think he will come visit you,” I said.
"Oh, I am so sorry. David, leave the nice lady alone,” his mother came over to my side ushering her child away.
“Oh, it is fine. He is lovely,” I said to her.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile and led her child back inside.
I turned back toward the water. I noticed that there were more trees, the forest was thicker. We were definitely in the country now. It was a beautiful sight, but I felt a sense of sadness. Interacting with the child made me realize how much I wanted one of my own. I wanted one with Gavonn. But was that even possible? I didn't want to dare get my hopes up when at the moment, I didn't even know if I would ever see him again.
Still, my heart wanted what it wanted, and I wanted us to have a family together. I wanted his child inside of me. That would be a true Christmas miracle.
“Tarrytown! Ten minutes. Close your tabs at the bar and gather your belongings. We ask that you do not turn on your car engines until we lift the gate on the ferry!” the attendant shouted as he walked around the deck.
This was it. I was about to get off the ferry and head to the cabin. I was nervous. I headed inside and bought two bottles of water, a sandwich, and another cup of coffee, all goodies for the road. I could stop in Tarrytown, but I did not think it was a good idea. I thought that as soon as the ferry let us off that I should immediately drive into the country. I didn't want to make it easy to be captured, and there were a lot of people in Tarrytown, and a lot of police.
A few minutes later, the boat docked in the quaint village of Tarrytown, also called Sleepy Hollow. It was beautiful. I did want to stop and look around and buy things for the cabin, but I knew that I could not.
I sat in my car and typed in the address to the GPS system. It came up easily. Now I waited for the signal to turn on my car. Finally, the gate went up. Engines all around turned on, and we each took our turns driving over the ramp and onto the road. My eyes scanned the area. I didn't see a cop car anywhere. I didn't see any black SUVs. I felt relief. I continued on the way to the main street that took me out onto the country roads.
As soon as I hit Main Street a big smile came across my face. The town have gone all out to decorate for Christmas. Very large garlands with red ribbons stretched across the entire road. They were Christmas trees that were decorated with lights lined up all the way down the center aisle of the road.
The small shop windows had Christmas displays that to me seemed better than the extravagant ones that I saw at the New York department stores because these were small mom and pop shops. There was something special about it. They were decorated by real people, not designers.
I slowed down in order to take it all in. I desperately wanted to stop and walk up and down the village and do some shopping, but I knew that I could not. I would have to sacrifice it. For now, I would only be able to see it from the windows.
A few minutes later I was out of the main area of the town and turning onto a main road, a small highway, a country highway. I followed the GPS directions.
“All right, we got about an hour or so to go. Looks like I will make it way before noon. Good,” I said to myself.
I was glad for the early start. I didn't want to walk into a dark cabin. There would be lots of work to do, and I needed the daylight.
The road stretched out in front of me. It was beautiful and curvy, with snow on either side. I was glad that it looked like it had been plowed recently and it had not snowed in a while, but the cold air Today snow fresh and frozen. It made for a beautiful view.
I turned on the radio. I turned it to a New York station. Then I was surprised when the news report came on.
“There was a crash a couple of blocks away from Fifth Avenue early this morning. A black SUV carrying soldiers crashed and flipped over. It is still unknown what caused the crash, and of course the officials are tight-lipped about classified information,” the anchor said. “The crash was cleared from the roads within an hour and did not cause a problem for morning rush-hour. Let's keep an I on it and see if we will eventually learn the cause of that crash,” he said.
Then a song began to play. My mouth was wide open. I couldn't believe it. Was this crash related to Gavonn? It had to be. It was so close to my apartment, and it was at the exact same time that they had taken him. I did not see what vehicle they took him in, but what were the chances? There was no way that it was just a coincidence. My stomach turned. I was now extremely worried.
But since the news anchor did not mention anything about a Drackon, I had some hope that he was not hurt in the crash. In fact, maybe he caused it on purpose. It would be a good way for him to escape from their custody.
I grabbed the sandwich and opened it. The news report had made my stomach turn, and I needed to put something in it other than the sweet cinnamon rolls. I bit into the ham, lettuce, cheese sandwich. It was fresh and good. Once I was finished, I felt better. I had been on the road for some time. Then something caught my attention.
“Wow, I have not seen that since I was a kid. I can't believe it. How did I forget about you?” I said as I pulled my SUV off of the road into a small parking area. I opened the door and got out. This was a scenic overlook. It was a pitstop that I always made with my grandparents when they drove me to the cabin. We would stop and stretch our legs because it was the halfway point. I did just that. I walked around and then stretch my muscles. There was a very large valley below. There were no houses or villages; it was just trees and nature. It was absolutely beautiful. I could see the entire blue sky.
It made me look. It made me really look. I scanned the horizon thinking that at any moment I would see a Drackon flying across the sky towards me. I waited for some time. I was really hoping to see him. But I did not.
“Time to get back on the road. You don't want anyone driving by and seeing you,” I said to myself, trying to motivate myself to peel my eyes off the sky.
I did one last stretch and then got back in the car. I pulled out onto the road. I was halfway there. I kept on driving. Then after about thirty minutes, I saw a familiar sight. It was a small country store. In the summertime it had a fruit stand outside. I remembered that well. We would stop there and get fresh berries every summer. I knew that I was close. I continued on down the country road.
“In a mile, turn left onto Eighty-Six Road,” the GPS said.
I knew the way. I knew that I had to turn left whenever I saw the massive oak tree. It went down a dirt road. Soon enough, the oak tree came into view, and the GPS told me to turn. I turned down the small dirt road. The car was no longer a smooth ride. It was bumpy as snow crunched under the tires. This was good. This meant that little traffic had been this way. There wasn't another house for miles and this road specifically only went to my grandparents’ cabin. Finally, the road came to an end, and I took a right on another smaller road, this one just a car wide. This was the lane that led to the house. It was very long. It was so long that the cabin was out of view. This was good. Anyone using the dirt road would not be able to see the cabin if they were simply looking to turn around after getting lost. I
t was obvious that this was a private driveway. I knew that there was a sign that said so, but it was covered in snow. I would have to remember to drive back out there and clean it off.
I pulled up to the rustic cabin. It was noon. The sun was glistening off of the snow like it was made of glitter. It was absolutely stunning. My breath caught in my throat.
I stopped the car, turned off the engine, and got out. I was excited about the beauty of the place. This was a true country Christmas setting. I only wished that I was there under happier circumstances, and that Gavonn was at my side.
I looked around. The forest was about a hundred yards away. I looked in that direction.
“Gavonn?” I said. Then I said it again and again. I was waiting for him to appear. Nothing happened.
“Well, I might as well go inside and open up the place,” I said.