Chapter 34: CHAPTER 25.0: A Chance Meeting

Mae’s POV When I was nine, I didn’t have many friends. I spent my time running through the woods when my parents thought I was with friends or at the park. I’d make up adventures and create a whole new world in my head.

One afternoon I went a little too far, I didn’t want to admit I was lost to myself at the time, but I was.

“Why are we here grandpa?” A boy my age asked.

“Son, your grandfather's intuition is telling him that one of the lost gemstones is in the human world. It’s our job to investigate. You’re the one who insisted on coming along with us on our assignments.” His father seemed excited. “You’ll see how important the last lost gemstone is.”

I hid behind a tree and watched. The three seemed strange. They called this the human world which only piqued my interest more. “There’s a human close.” The Grandfather said. “They’re harmless, a child. I see her with my third eye.”

The boy started looking around. “Where?”

I wasn’t sure how I was spotted but I panicked and turned around quickly. I tried to run off, but I didn’t pick my feet up high enough, so I tripped. “Aah!”

I looked up and the little boy was in front of me laughing. “I bet that hurts cause you’re a human.”

“It doesn’t.” I stood up. “You’re a human too.”

He scoffed. “No, I’m not. I’m a dragon shifter.” He corrected me.

“Konain.” His father grabbed and pulled him close. “Excuse my son, he has a big imagination. Do you live around here?”

I dusted myself off. “It’s okay I’m not human either, I’m a fairy.”

Konain rolled his eyes. “No, you’re not.”

“I’m sure she is Konain. Go to your grandfather,” he instructed.

“I live in the town, well basically. I’m not supposed to be talking to you.” I took a few steps back. “But I can play with your son. He sounds like he knows how to have fun.”

Konain’s father looked to his father. “Dad.”

The grandfather walked to me. “You’re lost, we can help you find your way home.” He looked at Konain. “It’s important to help the people around you.”

I described where I lived then ran around with Konain. We laughed together and played a few different games. He teased me a lot, but I always tried to respond with something witty. “Tag.” He laughed.

“Again.”

I pouted. “That’s not fair you’re faster.” He was the fastest little boy I had ever seen. “We have to play something else. I’m a fairy and you’re a dragon so we should fly.” I put my arms out.

“I’m not allowed to show my dragon form in this world,” He said.

I put my arms out. “Oh.” I was confused. “I’m not allowed to show my fairy form either. You’re really responsible Konain.” And I thought he was cute, but I kept that to myself.

Konain nodded. “You can call me Konn. Only my father, mother and grandfather call me Konain. You’re silly for a human but I think that’s fun.”

I smiled. “You too.”

“Whatever.” Konn chuckled. “I’m not supposed to be silly, but my best friend is. He’s the prince of where I live. I wish you could come; you’d like it there.” His imagination was as big as mine.

“We’re here.” The Grandfather said. He found my home a lot quicker than I would have.

“Can Konn stay and play? You can come back for him. Please.” I begged.

His father shook his head. “I’m sorry but we have a strict schedule to keep. It was nice meeting you.”

“Mae, my name is Mae.” I looked at Konn. “Don’t forget it.”

Konn rolled his eyes. “I won’t, that wouldn’t be responsible.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ll be back, right?”

Konn nodded. “Here.” He handed me a feather. “Is that okay?” He asked his father.

His father chuckled. “That’s fine Konain.” They all waved goodbye to me. When I went inside, I stared out my window at them. I couldn’t see them anymore.

“What are you doing?” My older sister asked. “You were supposed to be back an hour ago, mom might not care but something could have happened to you.” I know he cared but I couldn’t bother with all her rules at the time. “You’re always doing weird stuff.” She left. I stared out the window for a while longer and I saw something like looked like a dragon fly into the air. It was fast and hard to focus on it. My mind was trying to tell me that my mind was playing tricks on me and that it was only a bird. I had to believe it was a dragon and that it was Konn’s father or grandfather. He kept telling me he was a dragon and now I believed him.

From that day I learned all I could about dragon shifters and mythical creatures. I took classes on it in high school and did all I could. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see Konn again. “Are you drawing dragons again?” My sister asked. “People are going to think you’re weird for that stuff.”

I closed my sketch book. “Maybe.” It had been six years since I met Kon. “Maybe I want them to think I’m weird. Then they’ll all leave me alone.”

My sister glared at me. “You’re not going to get anywhere in life if you don’t act like a normal person.

You’re just going to be seen as a reject.” She looked like she felt bad for me. To her she was giving me good advice but to me it pushed me further away from society.

I left my house with my sketchbook and went into the woods. “Peace and quiet.” I walked around sketching what I saw. I stopped when I saw a cottage. There was never a cottage there before. I looked around and something about it seemed too mundane. I could swear it wasn’t here earlier, so I knocked on the front door.