7

“Where have you three been?!” said Drake’s mom. “I can’t believe you told your sister and then told her not to tell!”

“That little snitch,” Drake said.

“I know you’re also a dragon, but that doesn’t mean you can fly off whenever you want. I should…”

“We were looking for my mom. Please yell at drake or Topaz. It was my idea,” Aleea say.

“No it-OUCH!”  Drake starts but get elbowed in the stomach.

“I WANT MY STEAK!!!!” screams Topaz, and everybody stops arguing.

“Steak?” Drake’s mom questions, puzzled.

“What! She gave me Bambi Eyes,” Drake shrugs. Topaz breathes smoke. “I’m getting it. Keep your claws on.” Drake drops a slab of sirloin steak on a plate and puts it on a plate. Topaz munches away on her steak when the telephone rings.

“Hello?” Aleea answers.

“Is this Drake’s number?”

“This is.”

“Then why are you answering Aleea?”

“How do you know my name?”

“You forgot me already!? This is Cryst!”

“Oh, sorry Cryst.”

“Why are you…”

“Come over here and we’ll tell you.”

Click.

Just down the road was a “Your Gone” moving truck. But looks can be deceiving.

“’You forgot me already!? This is Cryst!’”

“’Oh, sorry Cryst.’”

“’Why are you…’”

“’Come over here and we’ll tell you.’”

Click.

“The target has hung up. We’ll have her soon.”

“You keep your hands off of her you, you, you, OOF!” Aleea’s mom screeches. She got kicked in the stomach.

“We can do whatever we want,” said a man in a black who, to her understanding, reeked like cigar. “Get her.”

“NOOO!!” she cries.

“This is easy as pie, boys,” says one.

“How do you make pie?” says another.

“Shut up!”

Topaz perks up her ears and then smells the air and says “Bad people are coming.” She sniffs the air again. “They got guns!”

“What! Aleea, Mom, Topaz; go upstairs. I’ll deal with them.” Drake morphs and waits beside the door. CRASH!!! The door got knocked down. Drake swings his scaly fist at the first to walk into the living room. The armor clad men turn and took a step back. “Don’t any of you have manners,” Drake asks them while upper cutting one of them.

“Lock and load boys, let’s smoke this overgrown lizard.”

“It’s your funeral.”

“OPEN FIRE!”

Drake covers his head and after two grazes and ten seconds the shooting stops. “Thank God for ricochet.” SMACK!! The last thing he sees is a gun barrel before a flash of light and darkness.

“DRAKE!”

Drake blinks in the light and saw Aleea shaking she was sobbing so hard with a sword on the floor with dried blood caked on it. “He was going to kill Drake,” Aleea cried. “What was I supposed to do?”

“It’s Okay Aleea. You were brave. Look, he’s up now, all thanks to you keeping him alive,” Topaz comforts.

“I was so scared.”

“You can’t have courage without fear,” Drake tells her. Aleea runs over and hugs him really hard. She then kisses him and starts to cry.

“I was so worried. I s-saw you fall so I grabbed s-some thing that would hurt, or, the scary part, k-kill him. He was going to kill you so I felt the same bloodlust like he was f-feeling. Then the fireplace poker I grabbed changed into a sword in a flash, literally. I-I stabbed him in the heart.”

“I’ve been in your situation. I was either them or us.”

Drake’s mother sat back and thinks, <They were made for each other.>

<Me too.>

Drake’s mom falls backward in her chair.

<Oops>, Topaz says. <Sorry Jen.>

“I never told you my name,” Jen said.

“Mom, I know,” Drake said.

“Drake she’s talking to me,” said Topaz. “I was what Drake needed, too.”

“How did you find out my name?!”

“I … don’t know. I just … knew it. I heard someone saying ‘They were made for each other. This girl is just what he needed’ and I had to say me too.” Aleea and drake still didn’t break their hug like they didn’t hear anything.

“Oh well,” Jen said, “anyone hungry after that huge incident?”

“Yeah!” goes Topaz.

“Yep,” says Drake.

“I guess,” Aleea says shakily.

“How about salmon?” says Drake’s mom.

“What should I do with the sword?” she asked.

“Can you change it into something smaller?”

“I don’t know. How do I do that?”

“How should I know? Try thinking of something that you would normally carry around.”

“How about a twisty pen?”

“Perfect.”

FLASH! The sword turned into a pen.

“That solves that problem.”

“What are we supposed to do with the bodies?” Topaz asks casually.

Jen, Aleea, and Drake look at each other then the living room. With the door busted down, bullet holes everywhere, and the place an overall mess, it was the perfect breaking and entering cover up.

6

Drake woke up to Aleea and Topaz coming in with a huge platter of food. “This is for three reasons,” Aleea told him. “One: You saved my life, though we still aren’t even. Two: You are helping me as if I am part of your family. Three: Just for the heck of it.” She smiles.

“Topaz are you-“ Drake starts.

“I already fed her.”

“Did you eat?”

“No, why?” she said, confused.

“I can’t eat it all!”

“No, it’s for you.”

“I insist!”

Her stomach growls. “Fine.”

It was so good they ate it really fast.

“So how did you sleep?” Drake asked her.

“Fine. It is a little awkward waking up at your house, though.”

“Wait. You have never had a sleepover?!” he says, surprised.

“No. Why is it such a big deal?”

“With a little sister you have to deal with sleepovers, birthday parties, and girl scouts 24/7.”

“Wow! Now I see why you were so surprised. I guess this is a no choice sleepover.”

“It’s either sleepover or get taken away.”

“Yeah.” She sighs.

“Lets go downstairs,” says Topaz. “Seeing you guys eating made me again.”

“Then let’s get you food.”

When they got downstairs Zoey was the only one up. “It’s just about ten-thirty! What were you doing last night?! Mom usually is up at six!”

“We were moving some of my stuff so I could be more comfortable. Your mom thought of it. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me making Drake breakfast. That sounds … weird saying that. I owe him, but I won’t get into details.”

“Oh, OK.”

“So are you comfortable?” Topaz asked.

“Well, yes,” Aleea replies.

Zoey pours herself a glass of milk. “I can’t believe we are standing here like Aleea staying for the weekend,” Drake says. “We have to find her mom!” Zoey sprays the milk she had been drinking all over Aleea.

“What did you just say! We have to find her mom!”

“Bingo. Her mom got kidnapped. Don’t you remember?”

“I thought it was a dream!!”

“No, this no dream,” Aleea says. “Although I wish it was.”

“So where to?” Topaz asks.

“How about downtown?” Aleea says. “It seems most likely.”

“Your mom, your way,” says Drake.

They head downtown and go to the first stereotypical warehouse.

“Hello!!” yells Topaz.

“SHHH!” shhhs Aleea. “We don’t want them to know we’re here.”

“Who’s there? Are you cops!”

“No! We’re just kids.”

“Good. What brings you kids doing here?” a wiry old man with broken glasses asks.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing,” Drake says carefully, not trying to give anything away. “Why did you ask if we were cops?”

“They’ve been kickin’ me out of every place I’ve lived in. It’s been getting annoying. Tell me why you’re here or I’ll-“

“My mom got kidnapped by some thugs,” explained Aleea. “We have to find her.”

“Oh well that changes things. What can you do though you’re just kids.”

They look at one other and Topaz blurts, “You have no idea.”

The old man jumps up and falls to the ground. “That’s not possible! Dragons aren’t real. How can that thing talk?!”

“My lips are moving and words are coming out. What do expect, telepathy?”

“Look, do you know about her mom or can we leave,” Drake says impatiently.

“I don’t know anything, yet. What I’m saying is I can be your eyes and ears in the black market. By the way I’m Earl.”

“For free?”

“For free,” Earl said.

“Deal.”

“We better get to your house, Drake,” said Aleea. “Bye Earl.”

“Bye little lady,” Earl says.

“Bye Earl,” says both Topaz and Drake.

“Hey…” Earl starts.

“Hay is for horses,” says Topaz.

“What are you names?”

“I’m Drake,” Drake says, “this is Topaz and she’s Aleea. Bye.”

They leave the warehouse and walk around downtown. “I’m hungry,” Topaz whines.

“You’re always hungry,” Drake says. “Do you want hamburger?”

“Steak!”

“I don’t think so.” She looks at him big round, twinkling eyes. “Don’t give me that look. I said no…” he sighs, “I give up.”

“Woo-hoo!”

“That’s nothing to cheer about.” Aleea looks at with raised eyebrows. “She gave me Bambi Eyes.”

“Whatever,” Aleea says. They walk around some more downtown and then head for Drake and Topaz’s house.

5

“I’m home!” yells Drake.

“Where were you?” Zoey questions. “Cryst said he saw you with “a hot redhead, chestnut-skin girl.” What’s her name?”

Drake turns bright pink and Topaz blurts, “Her name is Aleea!”

“You can talk even better!” says Zoey, surprised.

“Uh, yeah!” Topaz says, and then bursts out laughing.

“Well I’m glad.”

“Me too. I couldn’t get out what I wanted to say,” says Topaz, finally calming down.

“Topaz, you hungry?” Drake asked. Topaz nodded. “What do you want?”

She ponders for a couple seconds and says, “Hamburger.” So Drake grabs a slab of hamburger and puts it on a plate, which he puts of the table.

“There you go, Topaz,” says Drake. Topaz shoved her plate toward Drake’s seat so she could sit by him. Drake had some pizza and went to his room after an hour of TV. He falls asleep very quickly.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

“Huh?” goes Drake.

Tap, tap, tap.

“I’m coming.”

He opens his door. No one.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

He looks behind him.

Aleea was right outside his window with tears in her eyes. Drake shuts the door and sprints to the window. As soon as he opens the window, Aleea bursts in, crying. “They took her, Drake!” she sobs. “They took my mom!”

“Who took your mom?” Drake asks, not believing what he just heard.

“I don’t know, that’s the problem! They started asking for ‘it’. Drake I’m scared.”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t do any thing. We’re just kids. Let me go wake up my mom.” Topaz woke up then.

“What’s going on Aleea? Why are you crying?” she asked.

“I’ll fill you in later, Topaz. Crap, we can’t tell Mom. She will over react and every thing will be a big mess. I forgot I’m not just a kid. I’m also a dragon.”

Drake, Aleea, and Topaz ran outside. Drake morphed, Aleea and Topaz got on, and Drake took off. Drake flew to Aleea’s house. Aleea ran in and grabbed a picture of her mom. They then were on their way to the police station, but before they got there, Drake thought of something important.

“Wait a sec. What do you think would happen when we tell them that your mom has been kidnapped, besides try and find her?”

“I don’t know,” answers Aleea.

“Take you away! We have to stick together if we want to solve this. There is no choice but to tell my mom because you can’t stay at my house unless Mom knows why. It’s like you said, I’m not the kind of person that lies. If she says we have to call the cops, I’m ready to show her the other side of Drake Peterson.”

“I guess you’re right,” says Aleea.

“Mom, Mom wake up. Aleea, the girl I saved is here. Her mom got kidnapped,” Drake told her.

Drake’s mom bolted strait up and reached for the phone.

“Mom, we can’t do that. The cops will take her away. Aleea and I have to stay together in order to get her mom back.”

“What can you do? I’m sorry honey but you are just a kid,” she says.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Mom.” Drake starts to morph and his mom’s eyes get wider and wider. “I lied to you about how I saved Aleea. I was like this when that guy shot at me. I’m one hundred percent bulletproof, except for my head. A bullet ricocheted off me and hit the guy in the head.” His mom’s mouth opened then closed as Drake morphed back. “Now do you see why Aleea and I have to stick together?” Drake asked. “Can she stay here?” He closed his eyes and crossed his fingers.

His mom closes her eyes and thinks for a minute. “Fine.”

“YES!!” Drake, Aleea, and Topaz shout at the top of their lungs.

“What is going on in here?” said a sleepy voice behind them. Zoey looks at Aleea and says, “You must be Aleea. I can tell Drake likes you.” Both Aleea and Drake blush.

“Aleea’s mom just got kidnapped. Be nice to both of them,” Drake’s mom laughs weakly. “Aleea, you can have the guest bedroom. Would you like to grab your stuff?”

“Sure! Drake how much weight can you fly?” Aleea asked him.

“I don’t know two hundred twenty pounds”

“’Kay let’s go get some of my stuff. Ms. Peterson, can you give me a ride so I can help?”

“Of course!”

They started after Zoey went back to bed. Aleea and Drake’s mom got in the car and Drake and Topaz took off into the air. Topaz started having trouble keeping up with Drake. “Why do we have to fly so far?” Topaz whined. “Can’t I just ride on your back, Drake?”

“You have to build up your flight muscles. Quit your whining. See, we’re here.”

“Yay!”

Drake rolled his eyes. They all went inside and moved most of Aleea’s belongings into the car with Drake carrying a big box that wouldn’t fit. When they got back Drake carried most of the stuff to the guest room. As soon as Aleea was unpacked, they all went to bed. They were glad that the coming morning was Saturday morning.

Down on his luck and kicked in the pants one too many times, sixteen-year-old Pagan Kidrouk arrives on the doorstep of the Templar Knights in medieval Jerusalem, looking for work as a squire. He’s expecting only some protection from the seedier aspects of life on the street and a few square meals. Instead, Pagan finds himself hard at work for Lord Roland de Bram – an exciting life of polishing Lord Roland’s armor, laundering his garments, and even training to fight by his side.

But as the Infidel Saladin leads his army to Jerusalem, it becomes more and more difficult for Pagan and Lord Roland to discern what action to take or whom to trust. Neither Saladin’s army nor the Christian Crusaders offer easy answers. Is a bloody battle for control of the Holy City inevitable?

4

“Where have you been?!” Drake’s mother asks him.

“This girl was shoved in a trunk and I went to go help her. The guy tried to shoot me but missed, hit a pole and it bounced off and hit him in the head,” Drake told her.

“You did WHAT!! You are grounded! Never do that again.”

“Come on! Oh well. Come on, Topaz!”

He was asleep before he even touched the pillow.

Once again Topaz was his alarm clock. This time, it took a little more than poking and prodding to wake him up.

“WAKE UP!!!” Topaz screams.

“Huh? What’s up?” Drake says groggily.

“Wake up,” Topaz repeats.

“’Kay.”

He hops out of bed and goes downstairs. “What’s for breakfast, Mom?” he asks.

“Eggs, bacon, and pancakes.” Topaz looks at her with those same twinkling eyes as the day he found her. “Yes there is bacon for you too Topaz,” Drake’s mom says. She smiles.

“Yes!” Topaz’s paw shot in the air. Drake’s mom’s smile falters a bit.

They ate their breakfast and ran to the bus stop in the brisk morning air. They saw Aleea alone at the bus stop.

“Morning Aleea,” greets Drake.

“Hi Drake. Hi Topaz,” she says.

“Hello,” says Topaz. “How are you?”

“Fine. I told my mom about how you came to help me when you didn’t even know me,” Aleea tells them. “She said I found a true friend in one day.” Drake turns cherry red. “I didn’t tell her you were a dragon, though.”

“I didn’t tell my mom either,” said Drake.

Cryst walks over to them, with the rest of the kids trailing behind. “Hey Drake, Aleea, Topaz,” he says.

“Hey.”

The bus pulls up and they get in. Aleea and Drake sat together with Cryst in the seat across the aisle. “Hey Aleea, where did you come from?” Drake asked her.

“North Dakota.”

“Me too! I moved along time though,” he says.

“Sweet.”

“I know you guys think its cool you are from the same state and all, but we’re at school now, so we better beat the rush to get off,” Cryst says.

Aleea went to the office when they got inside. Drake followed her. “Are you Aleea Arrow?” the secretary asks.

“Yes I am. Can I have my schedule please?”

“Sure. Just let me print it off.” Drake hears the whir of the printer. “And here you go.”

“Can I see your schedule?” Drake asked Aleea, causing her to jump.

“Huh? Drake, you scared me! Oh, yeah you can see my schedule.”

“Thanks. Hey that’s cool!”

“What?”

“We have all the same classes!”

“Yeah that is cool! Now we don’t have to memorize each others schedules.”

“Why would we have to memorize each others schedules?”

“I’ll shut up now.”

“Yeah, you do that.” She raises her hand. “I’m joking. I’m not that mean. Come on, we have math first.”

“Do you want to come to the park with me and Topaz, Aleea?” Drake asked her after school.

“Sure. I got to drop my stuff off at my house first. Want to come with?”

“Sure, why not.”

After a while of walking, they got to her house. “Come on in!” Aleea said. They walked into the kitchen to see her mom.

“Who’s this?” her mom asked.

“This is Drake. He is the boy who saved me.”

Of all the things he could have said hi sheepishly.

“Him! Girl you sure know how to reel ‘em in!” Aleea turns maroon. She looks at Drake. She knew he was uncomfortable. “Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Aleea’s mom went on. “I sure hope you didn’t get hurt.”

“By the man, no. By Aleea, yes,” Drake says. “She kicked me in the sn-nose. I admit it hurt.”

Aleea’s mom laughs.

“We were going to go to the park and play with his pet. Bye mom.”

“I saw you were more embarrassed than I was. It was actually funny looking at you with you looking like that,” said Aleea. Drake smiles.

Topaz pops out of Drake’s pocket and mimics, “Girl, you sure know how to reel them in!” They laugh.

“Can you take me flying?” Aleea asks out of the blue.

“Um…I can try,” Drake said uncertainly. Drake didn’t think he would morph, since it wasn’t dark, but surprisingly he did. Topaz crawls into Aleea’s pocket. After drake was fully morphed, he knelt down, considering he was taller than usual. Aleea climbed on Drake’s back and hung on to one of his spikes. He got a running start and launched up into the air. Aleea’s hair was whipping across her face. She was having the best day of her life.

When they landed and Drake morphed back to normal, they walked around the park a little, and Aleea headed home.

Topaz said, “She’s nice.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, why did you talk to Aleea?” Drake asks.

“Dragon instinct. It tells good people from bad people. It’s just like you are a good person.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“You’re welcome.”

3

Drake went from class to class to have everyone talking to him, only to stop when Topaz blew smoke. Everyone watched Topaz fly Drake’s Social Studies test to the teacher. The teacher just stared at Topaz a then said thank you. Topaz then went your welcome and the whole room gasped. Topaz casually flew back to Drake and crawled into his pocket.

The teacher tried to act like nothing unusual happened. She was unsuccessful.

After Social Studies was Study Hall/Play Time. Drake asked for a ping pong ball to play with Topaz. He goes to the gym so Topaz could have some room to fly.

He throws the ball high in the air and Topaz launches after it. She catches it and dive-bombs to Drake and drops it like a bomb. Drake caught it and chucked it again. This went on for about forty-five minutes.

After school was out, Drake and Topaz went to Cryst and Nibbles’, his gerbil, house.

Drake and Cryst played video games while Topaz and Nibbles had a stare down, and then leaned forward each other. Finally they started playing with each other.

It was twilight as he left with Topaz and her new ball to go to the park and play. As it started to get dark, that same feeling from the night before appeared. Then he got all tingly again. It didn’t hurt, though. This time he could see what was going on. He was changing. Changing into the wanted humanoid dragon. He had green-blue scales, huge muscles, and from what he saw on the news, a huge set of choppers and a nice set of wings.

“This is weirder than your average weird,” Drake exclaims.

“Yep, you ‘betcha.”

Drake whirls around. There was Cryst, holding Drake’s backpack with his mouth exceeding the natural limit. He shuts his mouth.

“You better not turn me in or I’ll-“ Drake begins

“Why would I? Just to see you go into a zoo? We’re best friends,” Cryst replies.

“Help! Help!”

They turn to see a girl being stuffed into a trunk.

“Help! Helmph!” She was gagged!

Drake sprints to the direction and takes off into the air. Topaz landed on his back and grabbed a spike and hung on. He flew at least forty miles an hour. He caught up to the car, fast.

Drake lands on the hood, crushing the engine. He, for no reason at all, roars really loud. The windshield shatters.

“You can go the easy way or the hard way,” Drake tells the man. I always wanted to say that, Drake thought.

The man pulls out a gun and opens fire. Drake covers his head by instinct. The bullets just bounce off him. One hits the man in the head and he thumps to the floor.

Drake grabs the keys and unlocks the trunk when WHAM!!! He got kicked in the snout. The girl faints.

“Ow,” goes Drake, and as he slumps into the trunk he changes back into a human.

Cryst shakes Drake and the girl awake. Drake unties the girl and ungags her.

“You saved me!” she says, ”but where did the dragon guy go?”

“You’re lookin’ at him. That’s why my nose is bloody. You kicked me,” Drake tells her. “What’s your name? I’m Drake.”

“I’m Aleea. I remember kicking a dragon and then fainted. I’m sorry. I thought you were the guy that shoved me into this trunk. By the way, can I get out now?”

Drake feels his face getting hot. “Sorry. Why did you believe me right away?” he asks.

“You don’t look like a person that lies very much.” Aleea replies.

Drake turns even redder and Cryst snickers.

“But he doesn’t,” Aleea adds.

Cryst turns red.

Topaz flies over to Aleea and, of all things, shakes her hand and says, “Topaz.”

“Hi Topaz! I’m Aleea.”

“Hi Aleea!” Topaz replies.

“I’ve never seen anything cuter. Is she your pet Drake?”

“Yep. You’re the first person she went out of her way to talk to.”

“Cool. I just moved here. I was just checking out the area when that guy shoved me into the trunk. What happened to him anyway?”

“I’m bullet proof. The bullets just ricochet off. One hit him in the head,” Drake tells her. “Want me to show you all the other kids’ houses?”

“Sure.”

“I’d better get home,” Cryst says, smiling.

It took about an hour for Drake to show Aleea the neighborhood.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” says Drake.

“Yeah. See you tomorrow,” replies Aleea.

“Well, see ya.”

“Bye.”

She goes in her house and Drake and Topaz go home.

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

2

Drake woke up with his clothes in rags. Topaz was poking and prodding at him. When she saw him wake up she let out a squeal of delight.

Drake changed, wondering why his clothes were in rags, deciding he’d rather not know. He put Topaz in his pocket and went downstairs. He poured a bowl of Fruity Pebbles, grabbed a slab of hamburger for Topaz, and turned on the news to see a very strange broadcast.

“A strange humanoid ‘dragon’ has appeared in the Parkfront neighborhood.”

Crash!

“What neighborhood did they say?!” Drake’s mom asks, frightened.

“Parkfront. PARKFRONT!!” Drake said, finally figuring it out that the sighting was in the area they lived in.

“If you see this beast, call this number.” They then list the number.

“Drake! The bus is here!” Zoey shouts.

“’Bye Mom! Come on Topaz!” Drake says. Topaz flies over to his hand and he puts her into his pocket and runs out the door.

He plops down next to Cryst on the bus.

“I got my pet!” Drake tells Cryst.

“Really? Can I see it?” Cryst asked. Drake shows Topaz to Cryst.

“Does that thing-“

“She.”

“Does she have wings?”

“Yep. Fly Topaz.”

Topaz starts flying around the bus.

“Whoa!” the whole bus says.

“Come here, Topaz,” Drake calls. The whole bus watches Topaz fly to Drake and they go silent. “Er-,” goes Drake. Then the whole bus explodes into questions for Drake.

He was crowded by people as soon as he got off the bus. Topaz couldn’t handle the sound any longer so she hopped on Drake’s head and started to breathe fire at all the kids.

“AAAAH!” all the kids yelled and they sprinted inside.

“Now why did you have to go and do that?” Drake asked Topaz.

Woud!

“I admit they were pretty loud.”

Woud.

“Let’s go inside.”

This is very exciting!  Here is the first chapter in a book written by a local teen author.  With his permission, we will be posting a new chapter every few days.  I hope you enjoy it!

1

Drake Peterson was always lonely. His school actually let students bring small pocket size pets. He was one of the few kids that didn’t have one. He was determined to make his mom see he deserved a pet. He did as many chores as he could. He took out the trash, did the dishes, vacuumed, and many other chores. When he was about to give up, his mom finally said yes. He was as happy as he could be.

Most kids have small mammals, including his best friend Cryst. Drake wanted something few kids would choose, a lizard.

So Drake went to every nearby pet store with lizards, but Drake couldn’t find one he wanted. He couldn’t believe his rotten luck.

He decided to go for a walk. He was on the brink of choosing a gerbil when he heard a weird sound. Brrup! Drake walks over to the sound. Brrup! He hears it again. He finally sees what makes the noise. “Whaaa…” says Drake.

Right in front of him was a golden winged dragon. Brrup! It gazes at him with twinkling green eyes. It was so tiny Drake couldn’t help saying, “Now aren’t you the cutest little thing!” Brrup! “I’m going to name you…” he pauses, ”Topaz.” Yerp! Yerp! Yerp! “You must really like your name.” Yerp! “Let’s go home.”

“Mom I’m home! I got my pet!” yells Drake as he shuts the door.

“Can I see it? Can I! Can I!” squeals his little sister Zoey.

“Sure, Why not,” says Drake. He shows it to her.

“Sweet! Is it a boy or a girl?” asks Zoey.

“Let me check…it’s a girl.”

“What’s…”

“Last question.”

“What’s her name?”

“Topaz.”

Yerp! Yerp! Terpaz! Terpaz!

“Whoa, holy cow!” exclaims Drake, not believing what just happened.

“What’s all the hubbub about?” Drake’s mother asks them.

Drake and Zoey look at each other, and then at Topaz.

Terpaz! Terpaz!

“Yes I know, your name’s Topaz,” says Zoey.

Terpaz!

“Did that weird thing just talk?!” their mom asked, bewildered.

“She’s not weird,” defends Drake,”she’s my friend!”

Drake storms up the stairwell, and ran to his room. He had forgotten to put his laundry away that morning. He heard a growling and knew Topaz wasn’t mad. He goes back downstairs and grabs an apple and a small bowl of water, and heads right back up. Drake returns to his room to see Topaz eating his only pair of socks that didn’t have a hole in them.

Burp!

“AAAAAAHHH!” Drake’s bed just started on fire! He dumps the water on the bed and the fire turns to smoke. “You should’ve told me you could breathe fire!”

Burp!

That time nothing started on fire.

“Here, eat this instead of my socks.” He hands Topaz the apple. She just stares at it for a few seconds, and then starts eating the socks again. “Ah, come on!”

He goes downstairs and grabs a slab of raw hamburger and puts it on a plate and jogs back upstairs.

Topaz was waiting at his door.

“Oh, so this is what you like!” Drake says.

Yerp!

“Well I’m glad.”

Drake started on his homework and left Topaz in peace. “Okay, done,” Drake exclaims. “Wanna go outside Topaz?” He grabs a ping pong ball and heads outside into the twilight with Topaz.

“Let’s go to the park,” Drake tells Topaz as he puts her in his pocket. He tosses the ball a couple tosses then starts to feel a little strange. It was starting to get dark out. The strange feeling went to tingly, and then it started to hurt. Then it everything went black.