CalmOfTheNight

Blue stars shimmering
My red eyes against the light
Please don't take me now

Chapter 1: Blue Light


I opened my eyes slowly. My side hurt, my wings ached, and I couldn't move my head. Did it break my neck? Am I dying? I tried to look around. I could only see stars. I could hear the creature growling. It was waiting. Waiting for me to die. I closed my eyes.

--Some time later--

"Is he alright? Did you do this to him?"

I don't recognize this voice. It's someone else... but who? I left my clan so long ago... what if it's my parents, and I don't recognize them? But... what if it isn't them?

"I think he's still alive. And you know that I'm not strong enough to do this. His wings are kind of pretty, don't you think? I've never seen wings like his."

It was another male dragon. What kind of dragon, I don't know. It could be another Skydancer, or a tiny Veilspun. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't. Did they give me something? Am I supposed to hear this? Are they planning something? Am I part of it?

"Wake him up. He's yours now, do whatever you want to him. Have fun with your new pet. Treat it well."

One of the dragons left. Another one groaned. I heard him walk over to me and whisper into my ears. I couldn't make out what he had said, but I was able to open my eyes. I opened them slowly. I was in a small room, almost a cage. I still couldn't lift my head, but I could feel the bandages on my chest and neck. The other dragon was a Skydancer, like me. He was a sort of shining purple-blue, with deep blue crackle patterns all over his body. He simply sat, staring at me.

"You're pretty lucky," he sighed, moving closer, "I don't think anyone's survived an encounter with the Infected Menace."

"The what?" I asked. My voice was quiet, and it hurt to speak. He looked at me and sighed again.

"N-never mind. Can you move your head?"

"If I could, I would have."

I thought so. You were pretty hurt when I found you," The dragon said flatly.

The dragon shook his head, then looked down at me. He changed the bandages around my neck and cleaned my wounds.

"I'm Stormrage, and I'll be your caretaker and 'companion' while you recover," he continued.

I sighed. Stormrage finished with my bandages and sat next to me again.

"And what's your name?" Storm asked quietly.

"Calm. My full name is CalmOfTheNight, but I prefer to be called Calm." I answered.

My throat hurt badly, and I felt like I was about to pass out. I closed my eyes, hoping that the feeling would go away. But it didn't. I laid there, on the cold stone floor, my body burning and aching, every breath brought a sharp stab of pain. Storm realized that something was wrong and stood up quickly. He went and got a few pillows. Storm carefully lifted my head and put them on top of the pillows.

"Keep your head up," He said, "You can rest, if you need to. I'll wake you up soon."

"CALM! CALM! CAN YOU HEAR ME? CALM!!"

I opened my eyes. Storm has holding me up by my shoulders, a look of pure fear on his face.

"what?" I groaned.

"I've been trying to wake you up for thirty minutes... you really didn't hear me yelling?" Storm asked frantically.

I slowly shook my head. Storm sighed. Then, he smiled. It was the first time I had seen him smile. I hoped it wasn't the last. He pulled me in and hugged me. After, though, that smile turned into a frown.

"I need to tell you something. It's really important," Storm said in a low whisper, "You need to get out of this place. If the clan members tell you anything, listen, but NEVER believe what they tell you. They rescue young dragons, make them feel at home; then they put them to work. And they work, and work, and work. Dragons here are worked to death, all while being manipulated. They've done this to hatchlings, too. I know you probably won't believe me... but I need you to trust me, Calm. Please."