The world turned to ash under the emergence of the dragons. They weren’t supposed to be real. They weren’t supposed to be anything more than a beautiful creature in fantasy stories. They were supposed to stay only in our imaginations.
But scientists felt the overwhelming need to make all imagination reality. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. The scientists never should have.
There is no water available to us anymore. The dragons have either nested in the mountain tops, damming all the rivers, creeks, and streams. Or they have laid claim to the beaches, and roast anyone who enters their territory. We cannot make it to any source of water. The small ones have even seized any caves where water flows naturally.
We of course hoarded bottled water, but that could only last so long. Fights broke out, people were murdered – some even began drinking blood in a desperate last attempt.
That was when I left. That was when I snatched what I could, grabbed my sons’ hands, and ran for it. Yes, there is safety in numbers – but not those numbers. We are safer just the three of us. The dragons attack the large settlements, not the outliers.
The boys are out digging right now. They dig at the base of any plant that looks healthy, hoping to dig deep enough to find enough to fill a bottle or two. It hasn’t rained in weeks, and we’re not going to make it much longer. While they are out digging, I am giving them the last thing I can. Jacob is smart, he’s wise beyond his years. He’ll take care of Isaac, I know he will.
While they are out digging, I cry. I have enough sadness to fill two bottles. It will be a little salty, but it will hold them over until it rains.
