The beast was after her again. Irene could feel her heart pounding in her chest as her feet hit the pavement, carrying her over cobblestones and loose dirt. She already knew how this would end: she would be chased into an alleyway, cornered like a trapped mouse, her hands gripping the bricks of the building behind her as if her life depended on it. Then the dragon would come sauntering around the corner, taking his time because it was the fear in the air that he fed on and he could smell it positively simmering across Irene’s skin. And then she would plunge into the cold river water that made her sick to her stomach.

She saw the glowing eyes and felt the air vibrate as it inhaled. The ember of heat grew in its chest, and as its jaws opened she could see flames licking at the razor sharp teeth. She knew once the dragon locked eyes with her, it would be over. Pressing her lips together, Irene closed her eyes and leaned backwards…and fell.

She kept falling, for the wall behind her that had been digging into her back had disappeared. She felt the heat rush over her, but this time instead of a blistering pain, it felt….quite lovely. Warm and inviting.

And then she hit the water.

It wasn’t stagnant and metallic and putrid like it usually was. This time it was salty, fresh and warm. She had, by some miracle, held her breath this time. Her legs kicked as if by memory as she rose to the surface and broke through. Instead of the roaring flames of a dragon, she was met with roaring laughter from a familiar figure ahead of her. It was the middle of summer and she was next to a dock that stretched into the sea. Throwing her arms up, Irene caught the metal of the dock’s ladder. Words tumbled out before she could process what just happened, because the dragon had not only disappeared from in front of her, it had disappeared from her memory.

There was only Remy in front of her now, head thrown back with laughter as the sun’s rays hit his bronzed skin. The rest of their friends would be meeting them soon, but before that happened, she had to learn how to swim.

“Rémy, you said you wouldn’t push me in!”

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   Rosalie Hunniford