Dragon Twins- 2003 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

A nip of frozen air chilled the darkened suburb of Ashlynn, as winter’s call settled upon the township. A cool sprinkle of snow had already made its way up the barren sidewalks and onto the maze of streets. The frosty after glow hovered at the base of the street lamps, like a moth to light. The silence- only broken by a trickle of just melted ice tapping the ground echoed the white ghost town.

Then, in a moment, flash of red and blue light screamed across the barren street. Shrilling banshees of noise ricocheted from the misty tar-seal, tucking into nearby brushes in game.

A pair of shadows pranced into the frosty air, twirling sparks of fire energetically. Another flash of a brilliant light flared across the street, glowing enigmatically. Another shrilling noise then quickly followed that one.

“No… more… Roman candles, please!” A red haired nineteen year old cried, collapsing against a nearby lamppost to catch his breath. “You win! I am unfit.”

“Chi-cken!” Alex taunted from nearby, twirling his dead firework around like a baton. “Can’t keep up with the dreaded ‘Pyromaniaman’, huh Darren? Destroys buildings in a single bound, flies at the speed of light, explodes with the power of…”

“You are so crazy, Al,” Darren cackled, giving Alex a shove as he pretended to take off into the sky. 

“No, you’re right,” He laughed, sidestepping to get his balance back again, “I don’t think dynamite goes very well with spandex. I heard that it gives you this gnarly rash.” Darren burst into an uncontrollable laugh, trying to cover his breathlessness, chucking his firework into a nearby bush.

“How about we hit the ice for a while? Goodness knows you have a universe of energy just waiting to carve up some lake.” Alex’s eyes lit up, giving him a thumb up.

“I was wondering when you’d notice! I’ll race you!”

“No wai…” He didn’t even hear Darren’s objection as he thundered off down the misty lit street.

Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, casting his mind blank of all thought, as an intense adrenaline rush blasted through his veins.

Time always seemed to slow down at night, as he felt more and more aware of everything around him. It was like a drug- to feel that wake up call scream through you. The more you take, the better you feel, the worse the low you have afterw…

“Alex! Look out!”

It must’ve been a brick wall on two legs, or something that felt close to it.

Slamming head first into something solid, he shot down the icy street at a frightening rate. Not having the time to take in his situation, the tree hit him like a tone of bricks, jack-knifing his back from the sudden collision. Slowly, the euphoria of the run disappeared as he realized that he wasn’t moving anymore. Turmoil took control.

“…lex? Are you OK?” His eyes lifted slightly at his name. Swimming images of people moving toward him played anomalies in his mind as they danced around bright lights. Blinking a couple of times, his vision didn’t improve.

“He looks like he’s a little winded,” A strange voice wavered, extending what may’ve been a hand to his cheek. A gritty substance was swiped across his jawbone then, followed with a strangely familiar vibe of warmth.

Being able to see straight all of a sudden, Alex’s eyes flashed wide open.

“Wha…”

A boy in his late teens, with waist length, streaked brown and blond hair leaned over him with a curious expression. Dressed in what probably use to be a formal dressage, which had obviously become no less than rags just recently, the slightly pale looking boy didn’t strike him to be the homeless type at all. More like… he had gone through a war. His tired expression told many stories of hardship to past.

“Who are you?” Alex breathed in confusion, surprising Darren at his quick recovery. The boy rubbed his stubble chin, finally examining Alex carefully with a pair of unusually yellow eyes. He smiled.

“Knowledge is a powerful thing, but I suppose a name couldn’t hurt. My name is Bryan Dragon. You are?” He extended a worn hand to Alex. Alex glazed at the slightly tanned hand as he waited for his reply. Alex had expected a slightly more common surname- like Smith. But Dragon?

“Alex,” He breathed in shock, grabbing Bryan’s hand firmly, “Alex Daniels. I’m sorry about bowling you over.” Bryan’s eyes lit up for a moment, giving him a more intensified look.

“Are you sure?”

“Sure of what?” Alex started with a strange look, “That I’m sorry about bowling you over?”

“No, don’t worry,” Bryan suddenly frowned, glazing over Alex’s shoulder. The teen slowly rose to his feet, “I’m sorry to have bothered you.” Watching the strange boy turn around and leave, Alex couldn’t help the queer burning feeling running through him. Glancing over his shoulder quickly, he didn’t notice anything unusual nearby. Turning back to the teen, he watched him scamper off into the trees.

There’s something familiar about him…  Alex shook his head firmly, looking away from where the stranger disappeared. No. Maybe this lack of sleep is affecting me. Surely I’d remember a guy with eyes like that.

Standing up carefully, he looked at the trees for a moment. He couldn’t help the feeling that he was worried…