Runa

“RUNA!”
I jolt awake to a harsh voice screeching my name. My mother.
“WAKE UP! SLEEPING IN LATE WON’T KEEP YOU ALIVE! GET UP! GO HUNT!”
Growling, I stretch out my wings and shake off my morning grogginess. I hated this. Every since I was born, I was used as a slave. My parents worked me from dawn to dusk, every day. Of course it wasn’t all my parents faults. They were fugitives, runaways. They used to work under a cruel dragon who tricked them with gifts. My parents told me stories of how he was nice until he got sick of them. That’s when the real torture started. My parents are now filled with hatred and are as cruel as can be. And I, being their daughter, have learned never to trust again.
“RUNA! UR TO SLOW! NO DINNER FOR A WEEK!”
I snarl towards my dad’s voice. HOW DARE HE?! The sun wasn’t even up yet! Stalking out of the cave, I stomp into the forest. What's the point of hunting if I don’t even get to eat anything?!
I take a deep breath as I enter the trees.
“Calm down,” I whisper to myself.
Breathing in and out, I opened my wings and soar above the ground. Flying as far as possible. I wanted to leave. Leave my parents, leave this hatred, leave everything behind. I flew inbetween trees and over bushes. Finally I see a clearing up ahead. Landing, I hear voices coming from uphead. Ducking behind a bush, I watch as a blue akydancer and an orange imperial enter the clearing, chatting animatidly with eachother. I lean closer to eavesdrop.

“So,” The skydancer begins, “We need to gather some insects for the new hatchlings!”
The imperial nodds back, as he shifts, I see a row of scars down the inside of his right wing. I stifle a gasp. What happened? The two dragons begin to wander away from my buhs, I lean closer to hear what they are saying.

Suddenly, I lean too far. I tumble head over heels towards them and end up at the skydancers feet. Rubbing my head, I stare up at two dragons who are staring right back at me.
“Uh, hi!” I stammer, head throbbing from the tumble.
The imperial growls at me.
“Who are you?! Why were you following us?!”
He stares down at me with a cold, defensive demeanor. I glared back, who did he think he was to question me like that?!
The skydancer sighed.
“Hi, my name is Karibukai,” She smiled down at me, and then gestured to the imperial, “And this hothead is Mercury.”
“I’m Runa…” I reply, turning my attention to Karibukai who seemed to be the speaker of this group.
Karibukai nodded at me, giving me another smile. I rolled my eyes, why was she smiling so much?
“Well Runa, would you like to tell us why you were watching us?”

Before I could reply with a snarky comment, Mercury pushed past Karibukai and glared down at me.
“If you even think about lying, I’ll take u as a prisoner.”
I glared back, but shuddered. There was no way I’d risk being a prisoner. What if they were just like the dragon who ruined my parents?!
“I live here,” I began, “In a cave with my parents. But I grew up on hatred. I’m worked like a slave. So today I decided to run away. Then I bumped into you too and I was curious.”
I huffed. Staring at both dragons daring them to challenge me. Instead though, their expressions softens.
“Oh I’m so sorry,” Karibukai said, “would u like to come back to our clan? I promise you that no one will hurt you.”
I stare. Shocked. Were they offering me a better life?
“Can I trust you?”
Surprisingly, Mercury is the one to speak.
“Yes you can,” He lifts both of his wings to show his scars, “I used to live like you. Until Karibukai’s clan took me in. I promise you that you’ll be safe.”
I stay silent, remebering how dangerous and mean he seemed a few minutes ago. As if reading my thoughts, he ducks his head in embarassment.
“And I’m sorry for threatening you. Protective habit…” He mumbels.
Laughing, Karibukai turns her attention back to me.
“So will you join us?”
And for the first time in my life, I smile and give in.
“Yes.”