I ran as fast as my body would let me. I ran 'til my heart pounded like a solid drum in my chest, 'til my feet ached and my veins pumped acid. Thorns from wild plants I couldn't recognise tore into my skin, my legs now covered with sticky trails of blood. That was the thing about the forest; I had only my legs to carry me from danger. My legs that now felt shaky. I could see my breath, like heavy puffs of mist they vanished into the trees and reappeared, over and over again. 'He's gaining on you!' cried a little voice, and I told myself to shut up.

The pounding steps thundered behind me, getting nearer. I quickened my pace even though I knew I couldn't take it much longer. The long branches brushed against me as I darted between the clumps of trees that seemed to grow up through the clouds and disappear into heaven. Jack and the Beanstalk came to mind. I sighed as I pitied those poor innocent children who believed in fairy tales. It is because of the stories that are fed to them, that they believe that no matter what happens everything will be okay. Everyone always lives 'happily every after'. I slowly began to realise that we won't live out our dreams.

"I might not even live." I thought to myself, as I hopped over a v-shaped branch. It was my moment of clarity, and just as that thought hit my mind, the forest went silent. I requested my feet to stop so I could look around, but my whole body was trembling with fear, and I thought that if I stopped, I would either collapse, or break apart into a thousand tiny pieces. Finally, I brought myself to do it. What a delight it was to find that he was longer chasing me. Also, being the idiot I was, I wandered back through the trees to find it. That's when I saw him. He had his tail stuck between that v-shaped branch that reminded me of a slingshot.

I had never seen a dragon look so helpless. His eyelids drooped and the fire that he had been puffing ceased to escape his nostrils. His lips were pulled back in a grimace that made me feel his distress. I knew I had to help him. How often do you get the chance to save a dragon's life? "Seriously." I chuckled and stumbled over my own feet to help the poor thing. Using all the might I had left in my quivering arms, I lifted his tail and released it from the tree's death grip. I then realised why the forest so quiet all of a sudden. The dragon had stopped breathing. I had never been so nervous in my life, because if it was dead, it would be my fault.

It was quite a small dragon, no larger than three elephants put together. He was probably still a baby. I ran my fingers over his rough, scaly skin, in an attempt to find his pulse. Pausing in a moment of sheer bewilderment at what I was doing, I wondered whether dragons even had pulses. "Dragons don't exist!" I muttered shaking my head, and continued to stroke my new friend. In awe at how soft his skin was, I reached up to touch his chest, and there it was: his pulse. I beamed and patted it gently, just to make sure it wasn't just a figment of my imagination.

A breath! It was a small breath, but a breath nonetheless. It was still full of hope, full of life. Without warning, my face caught fire, and a small cry escaped my dry throat. The flame wasn't hot, but warm. I lifted a cautious hand and touched the surface of my skin with a trembling finger. Caught in a gasp, I realised that there was no burn. It had left a tickling sensation on my cheek. There was no pain, just a glowing whisper of happiness. I pictured glistening stars, iridescent and wholesome. I closed my eyes and pictured being brought up to them. I smiled knowingly, and let the incredible sensation wash over me. I was blessed; by the kiss of the dragon.

...Maybe dreams do come true.