Free

The Narrow Knife Plains are inhumanely hot. Despite the cool breeze that occasionally blows from the north, the fierce rays of the sun sting my skin. We travel along a never-ending asphalt road with no shade, the only passage to the city Celedora, the capital of the West. I can feel the heat of the road pulsating against the base of my flats and worry that they may melt away.

I turn towards Barn, my big brother, and my travelling companion. He has olive skin and large brown eyes. He has sharp features and his nose, in particular, has sweat dripping from it. Barn has dark and short curly brown hair and a scar running across his neck. I see sweat stains against the pits of his grey t-shirt and tears in his black capris. He has each pant leg rolled up to his knees prompting me to glance down at his grimy boots.

We were unprepared for this journey. We come from the outskirts of West Country, and it is not as hot as this. We had to abandon our jackets a long time ago and tie them to our hips due to a lack of space in our bags. Speaking of which, mine is beginning to feel heavy. I fix my straps and hoist my satchel into my arms hoping to alleviate pressure from my left shoulder. Barn glances over noticing my struggle.

Barn ask’s “Think any cars will come through here? Hitchhiking could be an option”

I answer. “Your call, you wanna risk getting stabbed by a stranger?” He grins and says,

“I might if I get to keep from melting in this heat for another day and a half.” I choke back.

“Day n’ a half? Fuck…” I pout. “Is Celedora really that far away?”

He nods. “This was your idea Birdy. Don’t get bratty now.”

I retort. “I’m not getting bratty or complaining. I’m just accepting that this is going to really suck.”

He agrees and we walk for another hour.

Barn and I have been raised on the Outskirts of West Country. Out there, all the rural towns and villages are close to one another and hardly a day’s journey. Meanwhile, the Narrow Knife Plains are what separate Celedora, the Capitol, from those ravaged outskirt wastelands. I underestimated the extent of our journey, but it has to be done.

Barn and I have become well known in the Outskirts and our thieving endeavours have been frequent failures. My big brother and I are orphans, like so many. We are viewed as an incurable epidemic and we ravage the lands finding new and unique illegal ways to survive. It’s not our fault, of course, being we live in such a faithless and monotonous world it is only natural adults would want to fuck for the fun of it. I don’t remember my parents, but Barn told me they were your typical ‘sack of shit’ people.

“Birdy?” His voice sounds concerned. I turn towards him as we walk and he examines my expression. “You look terrible.” He says. I ask him- “What do you mean by that?” Dust scatters into the air as he halts. I turn in front of him.

Barn lets out a huge sigh. “You’re coated in sweat and when you walk you look like your limping on bloody stumps. Let’s rest and see if somebody will pick us up.” I’m surprised Barn wants to go with my reckless idea. Hitchhiking is, without a doubt, a problematic thing. You’ll either gain a new friend or meet a murderer.

“I can keep going Barn” I try to assure him, but it’s clear the daunting idea of another two days journey lingers. He gives me a soft smile. “Sit.” He drops his bag on the side of the road and sits with his legs crossed. I reluctantly follow and sit next to him with my legs tucked to my chest. The moment I am not applying pressure to my feet I can feel blood pumping painfully into my heels and the base of my foot. While I wait for the pain to subside, I look out to the horizon.

Barn and I may live in an unpleasant world, but the view is never dull; because compared to the lacklustre of the towns and villages, the green mountains in the distance bordered by the bright blue sea bring pure bliss. I feel as if I could reach out my hand and touch the mountains, but the vast emptiness of the Narrow Knife Plains bring that dream back down to reality.

Speaking of reality- “Barn?” I ask, “What are we going to do if we’re picked up by, well, psycho’s?”

“Just follow my lead Birdy?” I’m unimpressed. “Like I always do?” He says “Yep.”

I know how to fight, run and survive, yet Barn takes it upon himself to shield me and protect me despite my skills. Most of the time I let him, and I never complain. He was the one who raised me after all, and it is apparent to both of us that he would sacrifice his life for mine. I don’t doubt Barn’s choices either, which is why if he wants to hitch a ride with a stranger I am going to follow along without question.

An hour has passed, and I am now lying on my back in the dry dirt soaking up the sun. I feel the sun’s rays tickle my arms and chest underneath my loose white t-shirt. I have a black cap on overtop of my short and curly mousy brown hair. I fix it so the lid is shielding my face and my world becomes a comfortable dark. I also tighten the knot of my red and black flannel long sleeve tied around my waist.

In West Country, every season is summer or spring. During the winter or fall, the most we will get is warm rain and a strong breeze sweeping in from the mountains and ocean. My advantage is that I love the sun, and the warmth invigorates and energizes me.

“Let’s get going, Birdy.” Barn mumbles and I can tell he is not ready to leave.

“Whaaaaat?” I childishly protest, aiming to get a smile out of him. “I was just starting to get a tan.”

He’s confused. “Your skin is already tanned Birdy.”

I sit up. “Not my ass though.”

His eyes go wide and he laughs. “For fuck sakes, please don’t take off your pants.”

I stand, my feet still aching. “Only because you asked nicely.” Barn decides to ignore my banter and joins me, pulling his heavy bag back across his shoulders. Barn says- “I’ll thumb it. I’m sure somebody will come around soon enough.”

We start walking down the neverending asphalt road. Off on the horizon, I can see small buildings and a grey tower. I know its Celedora, the mighty city seems close but the distance is an illusion. Heat rays cloud our visions from behind and ahead so we don’t see a vehicle until it is a yard away.

“Barn.” I get his attention and point to a white car coming towards us. It is coming from Celedora, so the chances of it picking us up are slim, but it’s worth the shot.

It’s not a surprise when the female driver doesn’t give us a second glance and speeds up eager to pass us. I sense this makes Barn feel insulted, “She didn’t need to speed up.” Barn grumbles and decides to walk backward, keeping an eye on vehicles traveling to the Capital rather than away.

Two more vehicles leave us in the dust. When another hour passes, Barn grumbles and drops his hand. I offer to take his place and walk the same way he was.

Down the road, driving towards Celedora I see a two-seater blue truck with a long back. The closer it gets, I can examine the mechanical equipment and boxes of screws and bolts cluttering up to the tailgate. I make sure to give the driver my ‘innocent look’.

From what little I can see, he looks like an elderly man with a huge white beard and a loose brown shirt. He has a black bandana on and muscular arms. The truck gets closer, and when the driver looks at my oval brown eyes and defeated face he sighs and the energy core moving his vehicle fizzles out into a quiet hum.

Barn turns to look at me surprised, then stares up at the driver. This stranger clearly can’t be trusted, simply because he decided to help some orphans. Barn moves in front of me, shielding me from the elder man’s gaze.

“My name is Barn.” brother introduces himself with a withdrawn tone. He nods at me- “This is my little sister Birdy.” The man has a kind face, and wrinkles around his eyes and forehead. He nods and introduces himself in a non abrasive manner. “My name is Simmons, I’m dropping off some mechanical equipment to my sister in Celedora.” Simmons scratches his beard. “I have room in the passenger seat-” He thumbs behind him. “-and it’s crowded, but should be able to fit one of ye’ in the back.”

Barn thanks Simmons and tells me, “You can have the passenger seat Birdy.” But the look on my face stops my brother in his tracks. I smile, and he sighs. “Ok, you can sit in the back.” Simmons lets out a small chuckle. “Make sure to hold on tho’, the roads can get rough on the way to Celedora.”

I tell them I will be ok, and Simmons gets out of the vehicle to help me into the back. He drops the rusted old tailgate, and I examine the dirt on his hands and scars running across his legs. I’m curious- “Are you a mechanic yourself?” he nods. I ask “What do you make?” I can see he admires my inquisitiveness.

“Back in my hometown, Rosebank, I fix and make vehicles for the locals. Nothing special like the fancy men in Celedora, but it’s enough to carry loads of water and lumber across town.”

Understandable. Out in the Outskirts of West Country, villages are surrounded by rivers that trickle in from the mountains and covered by a boreal forest that stretches for hundreds of miles. All the villagers have to do out there is trade water and wood with one another. Barn wanted to get into lumber trading once, and we frequently had to traverse the woods.

I hated travelling through the Western forest, because wild animals died out a long time ago, and without them, the woods feel ominous and soundless. I would hold Barn by the hem of his shirt and dart my eyes across each tree and bush waiting for something to jump out at me.

“Alright, hop in,” Simmons says and I stare at him and blink. I must look like a psychopath, staring off into the distance for so long.

In the trunk, alongside the boxes of bolts and metal is a large square engine with two silver tubes hanging from the sides and dipping over the edge of the vehicle to its underbelly. The engine is a faded silver colour, and through the glass panelling, I can see blue hues of particle energy waiting to be activated. Simmons tells me it is safe to lean against it as he fashioned it himself. I hop onto the tailgate and settle next to the right side of the truck and lean against the side. My bags are nestled by my feet, and from behind I can hear Barn throw a warning to me from the passenger seat.

“Knock on the window if you need anything ok? Anything at all.” I give him a soft- “Yes Barn..” and Simmons slams the tailgate shut. I stare up at the bright blue cloudless sky and get comfy. I quietly assure myself that the rest of the trip will go smooth, and Simmons seems like a nice man.

But Barn warns me that looks can be deceiving.

The truck starts with a humble hum and we begin down the road. Riding in the back is actually very relaxing, and the rumbling of the engine massages my body. I turn my head to look at Barn and see if he is doing alright. He is chatting with Simmons, a slight grin on his face. If Barn felt Simmons was untrustworthy, he would be silent and keeping me close. So I put my hat back over my eyes and sunbathe for the majority of the journey.

I’m not sure how many hours have passed, but I am aware that the sun has begun to set and the relieving cool night air is sweeping across the country. I take a peek back into the vehicle from the glass. Barn senses a pair of eyes looking at him and turns as well. We make eye contact and he gives me a thumb up, I shoot one back and nestle into my spot. Simmons pokes his head out the drivers side and yells- “Half an hour till Celedora Birdy!” I yell- “Ok!”

More minutes pass and I’m enjoying the breeze on my hot skin, when an abnormally deep rumble sound waves across the Yellow Knife Plains. I furrow my eyebrows, thinking I may have imagined it. But the sound returns louder. I sit up and fix my cap. Off on the horizon, I see a shadow glide across the grass scouring the lands for prey.

Barn has become aware of the threat. He knocks on the window-“Blanket. Now!” I do as he says and lunge at my bags. I pull out a small sized black blanket with a small box on the inside. I have to feel around for it and press the small plastic button. Instantly, a dull blue light surrounds the blanket and my hands disappear under the fabric. I give my brother one last look before wrapping it around my body. Barn crafted us an invisibility blanket for when we have to sleep on the streets or hide from enemies. I try to lie down as flat as possible, but it is difficult with the boxes and equipment. I end up craning my neck awkwardly against a box and my back resting on a rusty pipe.

The truck slows down to a halt and parks on the side of the road. I peek out of the blanket praying that I am concealed enough. I see through the glass Simmons flicking a black switch on his dashboard. When he does, the truck emanates the same glow as my blanket did and we are invisible.

All vehicles are equipped with an invisibility feature to hide us from enemies. Speaking of which…

“Fuck me..” I mumble in disdain. The beast must have seen us. It’s shadow passes us blanketing the vehicle in darkness. Each beat of it’s mighty wings gushes wind over us and I need to hold onto my blanket for dear life trying not to loose my cover. The box’s rattle and my stomach twists. If the monster hears us, we’re dead. Then it passes over again, slowly hovering close to the ground. I hold my breath, it shouldn’t have been able to spot our location from so far away. Sweat starts to form across my brow, and I wonder if Barn is coming up with a plan if shit goes sideways.

Because my head is under the blanket, I can’t see what is happening. I can only cross my fingers praying that it passes by and returns to its den. It’s unusual for one to be out so far from the forests and mountains, and I wonder what it could be looking for.

The shadow hangs over us, and my mouth goes dry. My heart batters against my chest and I will it to stay calm.A deep growl vibrates my whole body, and it flaps its wings over us repetitively. It spotted us, and if I wanna live i need to get the fuck out of this vehicle!

But just as I am about to peek out of the blanket and start to think about making a strategic move...it gives one last mighty flap and the shadow departs. For a few seconds, I think it has passed us by-

But suddenly, the earth shakes and the truck almost vibrates right off it’s wheels. I can hear monstrous breathing coming from the front of the truck, the heat from it’s lungs curl across the sides of the vehicle and sink through my blanket. I know Simmons and Barn haven’t made a move yet, but it seems like we are running out of time.

I can’t stand it anymore. I lift the corner of my blanket and look...nothing on the left side of the truck. I move to the right. Nothing in sight. I crawl as silently as possible to the glass pane, successfully avoiding tools and equipment. Through the dirty glass, I can see Barn and Simmons holding perfectly still. Sweat coats each of their shirts and Barn is deathly pale. In front of us, is a huge pair of bright yellow eyes and black scales. It’s nostrils flare and grey smoke cascades across the hood of the car. Barn whispers something to Simmons and he shakes his head. Barn almost growls back, my brother is thinking what I am. Get out of the car. Now. But Simmons seems to be delusional, thinking that he can stay still and the beast will go away. Or he is pinned down with fear.

The yellow eyes have two black slits for pupils and they dilate with realization. The monstrous head moves slowly away from the hood. I can see that Simmons thinks that the monster is backing away. It opens it’s jaws. Rows of hundreds of jagged yellow teeth loom over us and drool pools off it’s lips onto it’s scales. Months of hunger have not done it well, and I can see it’s ravenous appetite reflecting in its eyes. Barn leans over placing his trembling hand on the door handle. If he is getting ready to make a move so will I. I take two steps away from the glass and try to make my way to the exit, but walking backwards while terrified is harder than it looks, and I nudge a wrench making a small squeaking noise.

Just like that, the monster lunges. Barn whips the passenger door open and tumbles onto the ground. I jump off the tailgate and try to land on my feet, but the truck lifts off the ground and I end up flipping onto my side and rolling across the concrete. My elbows and knees rip open and I hit my head on the ground causing my world to spin. While on my hands and knees, I try to look up to examine my surroundings.

The Dragon has bitten the front of the truck in two, and Simmons’s dead body has become ripped and torn in multiple places. His legs are pinned under the destroyed metal of the trunk, while his right arm has been skewered by glass. The Dragons front teeth have stabbed through his head and his back is twisted against the ruined dashboard. I stare in awe at the monster before me.

It’s a Giant Western Dragon, with black scales covered in dirt and cracks. It’s two large leathery wings kick up dust and gravol into our eyes and it uses its meaty front legs to hold onto the vehicle. It lifts the truck sixteen feet off the ground and balances on its hind legs. It’s claws dig into the concrete and break it apart like it is dough.

Just our luck, finding a hulking Western Dragon in the middle of goddamn nowhere! Barn runs towards me and grabs the blanket that is still in my hands, and half covering my body. His eyes are wild with concern and he pulls me to the plains running as fast as we can. We only get several feet away before we have to lie on our stomachs and hide. The sound of the dragon tearing apart the truck is like nails on a chalkboard. It’s teeth scrape and tear apart at metal, and it smashes the truck onto the ground using the momentum to rip the vehicle in half. Once it can get to Simmons, it digs it heads into the drivers side and rips at his body one slice at a time. All Barn and I can do it wait for it to finish eating, if we were in the Outskirts, we could hide in the woods or take shelter. Out here, I feel exposed and scared. The Outskirters told us that dragons never ventured so close to Celedora and away from their dens, but hunger must be driving them to take drastic measures.

A minute passes and the dragon lets both halves of the truck smash onto the concrete. It’s keen yellow eyes look around. Barn and I hold our breath. It sniffs and lets out an unsatisfied blast of hot air. The dragon slams it’s tail causing the ground to shake. I know this is a way of luring out prey and scaring them out of hiding, but Barn and I don’t move. The Dragon rears up on its hind legs again and stretches out it’s mighty leathery wings. I’ve never been so close to a dragon before, and I can’t help but gaze out under the blanket in wonderment.

With one flap, it launches into the sky. I watch it circle the perimeter for five minutes until the Dragon decides to angle it’s wings and fly up into the clouds. Soon, it is heading towards the mountains and is just a small black speck in the open night air.