After the meal, Bruce stoked the potbellied stove using some of the last pieces of wood.
“We’ll be out by morning if don’t get some more,” he stated before slipping on his boots and coat.
“Need a hand?” Nicky offered from her spot on the couch where she read to Zaza.
“Only if you want to emasculate me,” he grumbled, but not in a mean way. He truly had softened around Nicky.
Invigorated by my meal and nap, I chose to join him. The heat in the chalet bothered me. Strange, I know. When I’d been born, I craved the warmth of the magma flows. Now? I emerged into the crisp evening air and breathed deep.
“Ah. It’s pleasant out here.”
Bruce glanced at me. “Only if you’re a polar bear.”
“Or a dragon, apparently. Although, my memories don’t usually have us liking the cold much.”
“Imagine that. You’re unique.”
“Was that sarcasm?” I asked as I trotted to keep pace with Bruce as he circled the chalet.
“Yes and no, but I meant it as a good thing. Would you want to be like every other dragon?”
“I’m also going to answer yes and no.” I took a half second to explain. “My goals and desires are the same as the others of my kind. To grow strong. To accumulate treasure. To get my wings and develop my special power. But I’d also like to stand out. To be recognized as more than just another dragon.”
“Well, in that respect, I don’t think you need to worry about comparison, as you are the one and only.”
“That you’re aware of,” I pointed out.
“Pretty sure the world would know if another dragon existed.”
“Not if they’re stealthy about it.”
“Maybe back in the day that would be possible, but you know enough by now to realize the Earth is much more populated, not to mention people are very into taking pics and videos. If there was a dragon, we’d know. First time it flew it would be all over social media.”
“Unless they had it scrubbed.”
Bruce paused mid-bend to glance at me. “When did you learn about internet scrubbing?”
“Today while watching television. It was mentioned in respect to cybercrimes. It’s obvious that such a measure is most likely often used by those wishing to avoid discovery, such as dragons.”
“You’re a clever one, Percy.”
“I know.” No point in being coy.
As Bruce headed back to the chalet with an armful of wood, I cocked my head. “I hear a vehicle approaching.”
The big man paused in his tracks. “Probably nothing, but just in case, why don’t you duck inside and tell Nicky she and Zaza should stay out of sight?”
“You suspect trouble?”
“No, but given Nicky’s situation, I’d prefer to be cautious.” Bruce dumped the wood by the door and opened it for me to slip inside just in time. Twin beams flashed as a vehicle turned into the chalet’s driveway.
I shut the door and Nicky glanced at me over Zaza’s head. “Hey, Percy. That was a quick outing.”
“Shh. Visitors. Hide,” I hissed, ruining Nicky’s smile of welcome.
Her face went pale, and she clutched a protesting Zaza tight to her torso as she ran for the bedroom.
Well, at least she knew how to listen to orders. Me? I only partially obeyed Bruce. I didn’t peer through the window by the door. I did, however, press my ear to it for a listen. The thick insulation muffled sound. Add in the car engine still rumbling and I only caught the murmur of a voice, nothing distinct. Bruce didn’t converse with the visitor long, seeing as how a car door slammed, and the noise of the motor receded.
