Hatchling Read online

  The creature unfolded itself and allowed Jimmy to touch it slightly on top of the head. It stretched toward him, putting its entire head and neck in Jimmy’s palm. It took another step and ran its gaze up Jimmy’s leg, up his whole body, and they locked eyes. Then, almost imperceptibly, the creature looked down at Jimmy’s birthmark.

  Right below Jimmy’s eye was a dark patch of skin that drew too much unwanted attention to him. To it. Jimmy jerked both his hands up to cover his face and hide the wretched curse of a mark from the world. The only thing his dad ever gave him.

  Instead of running or flying away at the sudden movement, the baby came closer and made another low purring sound in its chest. It flapped its wings and struggled to get off the ground, but it still wasn’t strong enough. Exhausted after the quick expense of energy, it gave up and began climbing Jimmy’s pants leg.

  The hatchling clawed its way up until it was standing on Jimmy’s arm, face to face with him. With his birthmark.

  The thing shoved Jimmy’s hand away and licked the dark patch of skin. Its tongue was unusually warm in contrast to its cold scales.

  Jimmy opened his eyes.

  The lizard-like creature’s skin was the same grayish black of Jimmy’s birthmark. They blended perfectly together, aside from the bright yellow tongue still slathering his face.

  After a moment, the licking stopped and they stared at each other. Jimmy smiled and the baby monster nuzzled him, an action Jimmy took as a smile also.

  “What are you?” Jimmy asked, turning and petting it as he tried to figure it out.

  In response, it flapped its wings again, lifting ever so slightly off Jimmy’s hands, and blew out a giant ball of gray smoke from its nose. The monster growled in its sweet little baby voice.

  “No,” Jimmy said, more to himself than the animal. It can’t be that. “There’s no such thing as…”

  The creature growled again and stood tall. It reached its head back as far as it could and worked up a good screaming belch of black smoke.

  “…dragons.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A huge gust of hot wind kicked up the sand and smoke swirling around them. The baby… dragon… shivered in Jimmy’s hands.

  Jimmy looked around for something to cover him with. Well, Jimmy assumed it was a him based on that deep growl. How in the world did you check such things?

  The only thing around them was an old cardboard box someone tossed into the ditch, but it was soaking wet from the runoff.

  The baby dragon wrapped its large wings around itself and huddled into Jimmy’s hands.

  There was only one thing he knew to do. “Let’s go,” he said, and tucked him into his shirt. “Hang on,” he whispered, and climbed onto his bike. “I’ll be careful.”

  And he was. He rode so slow up the long winding driveway that they were in more danger of tipping over than anything else. The front tire weaved left and right.

  The baby dragon made a very unpleasant sounding noise, which Jimmy understood completely, and rode faster.

  When he made it close enough to the house he jumped off the bike, took the steps in one leap, and flew through the front door. “Going to pack!” he yelled toward the kitchen where his mom was still putting up the groceries by herself.

  “Where’s the mail?” she asked after him.

  “Wasn’t none!” Jimmy slammed his door.

  “Any! There wasn’t any!”

  “Any!” Jimmy yelled back.

  He flung himself onto his bed and opened his shirt. The baby dragon popped out and landed on the bed beside him. They both panted.

  “Wow.” It was the only thing Jimmy could think and the only thing he could say. “Wow.”

  After they caught their breath, the baby dragon hopped over and started licking him again. Then, as if testing, took a tiny nibble.

  Jimmy snatched his arm away. “No!”

  The baby dragon made a hurt noise deep in its throat and Jimmy instantly felt guilty.

  “You can’t eat me! But… I’ll find something for you. What do dragons eat?”

  The baby dragon moved its wings in what could only be called a shrug.

  “Alright, stay.”

  Jimmy opened the door and closed it back quietly. He tiptoed down the hallway toward the kitchen. He didn’t know why he was sneaking, but it felt proper for the mission at hand.

  He peeked his head around the corner to lookout for his mom but she was nowhere to be found. He stood up straight and opened the refrigerator door. Leftover meatloaf and that yucky noodle stuff she tried to make him eat last night.

  “Want me to make you some hot dogs?” Mom’s voice called from the living room. Jimmy jumped and slammed the refrigerator door.

  “No!” he yelled too loudly. “I… I’m fine,” he added. “I’ll finish the meatloaf. Can I eat it in my room? I’m still packing.”

  Mom stood at the line between the kitchen and living room. With her thumb she absently swirled the thin gold band she still wore after all these years. It was so loose now. “I thought you finished.” Her eyebrows raised.

  “Just making sure,” he said, and shoved a piece of cold meat in his mouth.

  Mom sighed. “Make sure you bring that plate back out here. I don’t need to have bugs marching all over my house while you’re gone.”

  At that last word, her smile faded and she blinked. Then she stepped toward him like she wanted one of those giant mom hugs that squeezed the air out of him.

  He kind of wanted one, too. He was going to miss her. And he hated leaving her all alone in the house with nobody to take care of her. That was his job, had been since he was a little boy.

  But he could feel the tension rising in the air. Some sort of link between him and the baby dragon, tethering them to each other. He felt ravenous and scared, and knew it was coming from his bedroom.

  Mom made a move to lean in for her bear hug and he ducked under her arm, which was getting harder to do now that he was almost as tall as her. “I’ll bring it back, promise!”

  Jimmy felt a twinge of guilt for denying her, and himself, that hug. He made a mental promise to let her squeeze every last drop of air out of him before he went to bed tonight.

  When Jimmy closed the bedroom door again he locked it behind him. The baby dragon leapt for the meatloaf. “Your wings may not work but your legs sure do!”

  It coughed smoke onto the meatloaf bits that had fallen from Jimmy’s hand and littered the carpet. The baby dragon reared back its head again and tried to blow fire, but only more smoke came out.

  “It’s alright, you’ll get the hang of it.” Jimmy squatted down and placed the rest of the meatloaf on the floor.

  Smoke filled the space around them as the dragon scrunched up his face in concentration. Jimmy grabbed a dirty shirt by his leg and shoved it under the door.

  As the baby dragon nibbled at the meatloaf, obviously not liking it one bit but too hungry to stop, Jimmy looked him over.

  In the bright light of his room, it was plain to see that this thing in front of him really was a dragon. Wings. Horns. Talons. Fire… uh, smoke… It made no sense, but there it was right in front of him.

  A dragon. His very own dragon.

  “Do you have a name?” Jimmy asked softly.

  There was no answer, aside from a satisfied rumble coming from the dragon’s chest.

  “Hmmm, what should I call you? Harold?”

  The rumble turned angry.

  “Fine, how about… Spot? That’s a dog name but I don’t know what else…”

  Angrier rumble.

  “Ugh, OK.” Jimmy ran down a list of names, each eliciting a range of grunts that did not sound approving.

  “Ash?” Jimmy asked, out of options.

  The grumble and the nibbling both stopped.

  “Yeah, you like that one?” Jimmy petted the top of the baby dragon’s head and it turned slightly for him to scratch behind its ear.

  “Alright, Ash it is. It fits you.”

  T
here was a knock on the door. Jimmy and Ash both jumped. “Jimmy, what’s that smell? Are you playing with matches again? I told you -” The door handle jiggled and something banged against it. “Why is your door locked? Jimmy!” Mom banged again.

  Ash ran to hide under the bed and Jimmy jumped up to fling open his window. Then he kicked the plate of meatloaf toward his closet and unlocked the door.

  “No, of course not. It’s coming from outside.” He pointed at his open window.

  Mom stared at him breathing heavy and looking beyond guilty. She bit her lip and made her ‘I don’t want to fight with you right now’ face. Then she decided to either believe him or pretend she did.

  “It’s time for bed. We have to be up bright and early tomorrow to catch the train.” She motioned for him to turn around and go. “Where’s your bag?”

  “Over there,” Jimmy nodded his head toward the closet.

  Jimmy climbed into the bed and raised his arms for a hug. No self respecting man of fourteen still hugged his Mommy before bedtime, but he allowed it this once. Welcomed it, actually. This would be their last chance for who knows how long.

  As his mom leaned in for her bear hug, Jimmy noticed swirls of smoke rising up from under his bed. He gave Mom a quick squeeze and patted her on the back and yawned. “I’m beat.”

  Mom reluctantly let go of him and kissed him on the forehead. “I love you. I hope you know I’m doing this for you.” Her voice cracked and Jimmy thought he saw her eyes watering.

  “I know, Mom. It’ll be fine,” he lied.

  It wouldn’t be fine. It would be terrible. But, what choice did he have now? The train was leaving at 6 a.m. and he would be on it.

  “Please try to have fun. Think of it as an adventure.” Mom kissed him one more time and turned around.

  Jimmy thought he heard a muffled cry as she closed the door, but he pushed that aside.

  “OK, Ash, you can come out now.”

  A long moment of nothing passed.

  “Ash?”

  Still nothing.

  Did he imagine the whole thing? Dr. Pembroke would have a lot to say about this.

  Jimmy leaned over the side of the bed and pulled the sheet up. There, curled in a tiny ball inside Jimmy’s old baseball mitt, slept Ash. Tiny tendrils of smoke wafted up with each deep snore.

  Jimmy laid back down on his pillow and stared at the ceiling. His insides were a mix of excitement over what happened today and dread over what was going to happen tomorrow. Every fear Dr. Pembroke said would never happen, was about to come true.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Up and at ‘em.” Mom tapped Jimmy’s foot. “Train leaves in an hour.”

  Jimmy didn’t move. He had worried himself crazy all night. From the shadows under her eyes, Mom hadn’t slept much either.

  “I mean it,” Mom added more sternly before closing the door with a loud click.

  Jimmy grumbled and a low growl replied from under the bed.

  “Oh, Ash!” Wide awake, Jimmy jumped to the floor and lifted his sheets.

  There, nibbling on the baseball mitt, was Ash.

  “Here boy,” Jimmy tapped his lap and Ash waddled over to him. “Did you sleep good? I didn’t.”

  Ash yawned and stretched and sputtered a plume of smoke. Then he proceeded to lick Jimmy’s hand, nudging for food.

  Jimmy looked around his room. “Over there,” he motioned toward the stale meatloaf. “It’s all I got right now.” Jimmy’s own stomach rumbled, but he had no time for hunger.

  He unzipped his backpack and dumped the useless books onto his bed. Then he shoved a couple old shirts down in the bag and spread them out.

  Ash finished scarfing down the last bits of meatloaf and skittered over to Jimmy. “I have to leave,” Jimmy whispered.

  Ash’s body slumped and he moaned. Their magic bond darkened as Ash’s pointed ears turned backward.

  “It’s OK, I’m bringing you with me.”

  Ash’s little ears perked up. He let out a tiny yip of delight and ran on unsteady legs toward Jimmy’s bare feet.

  “But,” Jimmy put a finger to his lip, “you have to be very quiet and very still.”

  Ash stood perfectly still.

  “Good boy, now hop in.” Jimmy opened the backpack wide and Ash crawled in. “Remember, quiet and still.” Jimmy shushed Ash and zipped the bag most of the way up.

  At the front door, Jimmy took three deep calming breaths and tugged at the backpack straps. The weight of Ash inside made it easier to step over the threshold. He wasn’t alone anymore. He had a pet… a dragon!

  When they got in the car, Mom eyed the backpack. “I thought you said you were bringing the other bag, the big one.” Mom jutted her thumb toward the back seat at Jimmy’s belongings.

  “I, uh, wanted to bring some toys.” Jimmy hadn’t played with toys in forever, but Mom let it slide. She had enough on her mind. Her fingers wore their usual path along the steering wheel.

  “Just be good, please. This is important,” she added before starting the car.

  As soon as the engine roared to life, a startled croak screeched out of the bag. Jimmy coughed loud to cover it.

  Mom didn’t seem to notice.

  They rode in silence for a long time, Mom chewing her lip like she does when she’s deep in thought and Jimmy petting the side of the backpack where Ash snuggled.

  For it to be so early - the sun had just started peeking through the clouds - the train was jam packed with people. Jimmy had thought at least he could relax on the train, find a car all to himself and let Ash out. But no, he’d have to be vigilant the entire trip. He didn’t get enough sleep for this.

  “How long will it take?” Jimmy asked as Mom settled into the far seat by the window. Too many people crowded around him. He couldn’t breathe. They were looking at him. He just knew it. He felt their eyes crawling over his cheek. Jimmy slumped into the seat beside Mom and put the backpack with Ash in the other, scanning the train car to catch anyone who might be staring at his birthmark.

  He told himself it was only in his head. Three times he said it under his breath before it sank in and he could relax a little. Still, he scooted close enough so his leg touched his mom’s.

  “A couple hours,” Mom said. She must have mistaken his question for fear, because she added, “I’ll be right here the whole time,” and patted his arm like a child. He hated himself for wanting her to do it again.

  A loud static noise crackled the overhead speakers, then, “Last call for Cottonwood Falls, line four. Rome, Georgia to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Leaving in five minutes.”

  Somehow, more people crowded onto the train at the last second. An old gray woman with a crying young boy trailing behind her plopped into the seat across the aisle from Jimmy and put her multitude of bags in the seat beside her. That left only the seat next to Jimmy for the screaming boy.

  “Move your bag, Jimmy,” Mom nudged him.

  Reluctantly, Jimmy obeyed, grumbling under his breath. Ash grumbled in the backpack in agreement.

  The little boy, who looked to be about four and utterly inconsolable, climbed into the seat beside Jimmy and wailed louder, right into Jimmy’s buzzing ears.

  When the train lurched forward a minute later, the boy howled like someone was killing him. The old lady, who had to be his grandmother, reached over the aisle to pet the top of his head and he swatted her away.

  Jimmy’s eyes went wide. If he ever did that to his mom he’d… he didn’t know what because he’d never even think about it.

  What felt like a thousand years later, the boy didn’t slow down one bit. If he checked, he bet his ears were bleeding. Worse, he could feel a tension rising in Ash through whatever magic bond that formed between them when he hatched. It was a dangerous mix of fear, annoyance, and plain old anger.

  Then, because this day couldn’t get any worse, the boy started kicking the backpack!

  Ash yelped. Smoke swirled up from the small opening Jimmy had left for Ash to breathe. Th
e bag jostled furiously.

  Jimmy snatched the backpack away from the boy’s assault and placed it gently on his lap. He hugged the bag and tried to console Ash with his mind. He had no idea if their magic connection worked that way, but after a minute the angry movement stopped.

  “Why don’t you let the little boy play with one of your toys, Jimmy?” Mom’s voice and face begged. A red flush crept from her shirt collar to her cheeks.

  “Uh, I,” Jimmy clutched the bag harder.

  “Come on, he can’t go anywhere. He’ll give it back.” Mom pleaded.

  Jimmy looked around for an escape. The old lady smiled at Jimmy as if he’d already agreed to give one of his precious fake toys to this brat.

  The boy grabbed at the backpack, not waiting for an answer. Jimmy jerked it back, causing Ash to fall or flip or… something bad. The magic tether between them burned hot with fury.

  “I… I have to go to the bathroom!” Jimmy jumped up and ran, flinging the backpack over his shoulder.

  He and Ash spent the next two hours huddled in the tiny bathroom. Every time someone would knock, he’d shove Ash back in the bag and wait outside the door. It was cramped, and hot, and often smelly. But it was better than letting Ash incinerate that boy. No matter how good it would make both of them feel.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Jimmy and Ash sat staring out the tiny slit of a window in the train bathroom. They watched the trees and buildings slowly give way to nothing. If Jimmy craned his neck and squinted, he could see the flat grass on either side of the train. But mostly their view for the last stretch was blue sky.

  The farther they got from home, the stranger Jimmy felt. His nerves stood on end. Every fear he’d had as a child now felt entirely possible. If he could find a dragon, he could find monsters.

  And his skin. It crawled and tingled and something else he couldn’t understand. A sensation he had no words for. Like his skin was a divining rod for danger. Was this what his life had become?

  The intercom crackled again with another announcement. “Everyone please return to your seats and gather your items. We will be arriving at Cottonwood Falls in ten minutes. Everyone please prepare to exit in ten minutes. Thank you for traveling with The Pennsylvania Railroad Company.”