What had just happened? Who saved him? The shadow of a creature flew overhead. Albert quickly realized he might be wrong. Whatever it was might not be here to save him but eat him. He tried to hide underneath the nearest tree as a miniature dragon, the size of a medium-sized dog, landed on the ground in front of him. The dragon stood on four legs, its body covered with beautiful jade scales laced with reds and blues. Two small horns crowned its head, a row of spines running down its back, and its tail came to a point like an arrowhead.

The dragon took a couple of steps toward Albert, spread its wings, and lifted itself onto its hind legs, opening its mouth to reveal dozens of small, serrated teeth. Once more it took a deep breath, its eyes focused intently on Albert. Sparks streamed up and out its throat, traveling along the teeth until they formed a focal point in the air before its mouth—another fiery ball was coming. Albert stood paralyzed with fear. His mind told him to run, hide, anything but something held him in place. Why couldn’t he move? Was something holding him here? He stood waiting for death. No whimpers. No crying. No sound.

As the dragon unleashed its breath, Albert barely had time to react. Automatically he threw up his arms to protect his face. The fire-streak struck his right arm with a burning sensation that coursed up his arm and through his entire body. Weak and dizzy, his vision blurred, and darkness closed around him. A split second before his eyes shut completely, Albert thought he saw the dragon lift off and head toward the skies.