My short - not so short - Halloween story
The air was crisp with the smell of fall turning to winter. I lifted my head out of my jacket and eagerly welcomed the breeze that blew by and played with my hair. The wind teased my hair the same way it did the leaves when it whistled merrily between the trees' branches, stealing the many bold colored blades that would be dance partners for only a few moments before dumping them on the ground and moving on. Honey golds and brazen reds seemed to be everywhere, a few gracing the trees' branches while others making a regal carpet across the street and sidewalk.
I sighed in contentment, the sound of my sigh and my feet crunching the dead leaves and branches underfoot carried away by the giddy wind. Unfortunately, it couldn't blow away the seemingly endless stream of words coming from the redhead next to me.
"I just can't wait for the end of the day, when we can all meet up and eat lots of candy!" Austyn chattered, bouncing alongside me, his arms swinging every which way since he had little to no control over them. He was dressed up in his uniform for work, having rushed over from it just in time to get here. I was dressed as a pirate, not a wolf like I usually was. I had the black, knee-high boots from when I went to Renaissance Festivals, the shorts with many pockets that I absolutely love(I love pockets), a white, long sleeved, button-up shirt with a simple home-made blue-green jacket vest over it.
"Austyn, we're not going out and hunting for candy. We're going to be the ones passing out the candy. Or we should be." I reminded him. We were older now, not the kids we used to be, though Austyn never abandoned his childish ways. He was short, too, probably able to pass for a twelve year old if he wished.
"Exactly, which means we can steal the candy from our place and eat as much as we want." Austyn explained. He grinned impishly at me before dashing up the driveway to Azrail's house. He paused at the door and gestures for me to knock and gather the friend so we can continue to Riley's house.
Austyn didn't like cats as much as he liked any other animal, especially hating black ones this time of the year, and so he didn't want to go call Azrail. Azrail's house was a cat haven, his adoptive parent having something of an obsession with the creatures.
A cat meowed and brushed up against my leg. I glanced down to find a grey Nebelung cat, green eyes reflecting the light of the setting sun. This feline was beautiful, long furred and bright eyed. "Hi, Eureka. Is Azrail coming out soon?" I asked and crouched down, petting the friendly cat. Eureka chuffed, something of a purr, warm breaths tickling my hand. Azrail came out the door before I could knock, his satchel slung over one shoulder like usual. It really complimented his explorer costume.
He bent down and picked his cat up, the only cat he could call his own. He slipped through the door and placed the cat inside, not wanting it to get lost tonight. He then was back out. "Hi Austyn! Hi Scout." Azrail chirped, hopping down his steps and coming to rest beside Austyn. Azrail had been silent and distanced, having his head too high in the clouds or too down to earth until Austyn, Riley, and I had befriended him. Since then, he has become much more open and outgoing. I think Austyn's a good influence at times, though at others he can be the pixie nobody wanted to mess with.
Austyn looked Azrail up and down and attempted to brush all the fur off Azrail's clothes. After a few moments, Austyn gave up, deciding we had more important things to do. "Come on, we're going to be late and I don't want to be late because if we're late we won't get enough candy. And I like candy." I gave Azrail a hug in greeting before letting go and following Austyn, who was skipping down the driveway again.
"He does know we're not the ones trick or treating, right?" Azrail asked me quietly when we tried to catch up. I laughed and nodded to let him know that Austyn did know. We walked a few blocks to get to Rileys house, and Im grateful we didnt have to go trick or treating because my feet were already killing me. I could run just fine, but walking its a different matter.
We were greeted with a bright crimson ribbon that whipped through the air, bouncing off Austyns shoulder, pushing him sideways, and hurtling into my chest, knocking me back. The red streak came to a stop on Azrails shoulder, cupped talons bumping against Azrails jaw as he chattered what it wanted from him, "Candy!" Austyn could understand any language, the lucky guy, so he had taught me how to understand the dragons tongue. However, both of us kind of forgot that Azrail didnt know the language.
Azrail started in surprise, brushing the small dragon away from him. But Riley, the dragon, was persistent and demanded the candy again. I quickly explained that the dragon was asking for candy. Azrail nods slowly and looks through his satchel to see if he had any candy on him. He pulls out two pieces, a Twix and a Tootsie Roll. Riley dove into Azrails satchel, small enough to curl up neatly inside it. The dragon grabbed the Twix, saved it for later, and instantly devoured the Tootsie Roll. I was thankful that Riley had decided to eat the Tootsie Roll first, because then Riley, with his teeth glued together with the gooey, chocolatey candy, wouldnt be able to order for more candy any time soon. Riley hummed with content and settled further down in Azrails satchel, rolling the Twix between his talons. The only thing you could see of Riley was his small snout resting on the edge of the satchel.
"So," Azrail motioned to the dragon and gave me the question in a look, 'What's with the dragon?' Austyn, being the guy he was, didnt catch on.
"Sew buttons? No thanks. I don't like doing that, thank you very much." Austyn exclaimed and ran a finger over Rileys frill. Riley growled, the sound a small squeak coming from the small dragon. Austyn tapped Riley on the nose before backing off. I quickly explained the situation to Azrail.
"Azrail, would you mind entertaining the dragon? I don't want Riley to go around and steal any more candy!"
Riley puffed a cloud of smoke at me, his golden eyes like miniature angry suns. Azrail pets Rileys head absentmindedly before he nods, "It's not like were going trick or treating, so it should be easy to keep the dragon here, right?" Austyn and I exchanged a glance. It usually wasnt that easy.
So the night started, and for a while it went well. Azrail was a surprisingly good dragon-sitter and the happy chirps of the tiny dragon could be heard mingled with the laugh of the human playing with him. That is, until Azrail stopped watching the dragon long enough to help me open a water bottle because no matter how hard I try, opening a water bottle is just impossible for me. Austyn hadnt been a help because he liked watching me struggle. The myopic oaf.
Azrail headed back to where he had put the dragon last, but a cry of surprise let us all know that the dragon had escaped and we had to find him before he wreaked havoc.
We all hopped into Rileys car and drove around, trying to figure out where the dragon was and where it would be heading next so we could cut him off. Though we knew where he usually hoarded his candy, I enjoyed the tracking down of the dragon. It was as if we were in a spy movie or something! Austyn and I chatted happily as Austyn drove, making bets about Azrail and Riley, but Azrail was nervous and thankfully didnt hear me when I bet Austyn five dollars that Azrail and Riley would end up together. By the time forty five minutes had passed, we still had yet to find the dragon and Austyn and I had yet to stop laughing about our ship - Riley and Azrail.
"The small thing, all alone..." Azrail said about Riley. I laughed but decided not to spoil anything. I motioned for Austyn to head to where Riley usually put his horde. As we rounded a bend in the road, a crimson red dragon, the size of a two story house by this point, was curled protectively around his treasure. The dragons head snapped up and turned to look at the car, golden eyes reflecting the light of the headlights. It growls threateningly as Austyn cut the engine and turned off the lights on the car. The soft glow of the lamps near the street illuminated the big dragon, who was glowing an orange gold color with the flame burning inside him. Azrail yelps and flattens himself against the seat of the car. Austyn and I chuckle at Azrails reaction as we get out of the car. Azrail slowly follows us, "Are you crazy? That dragon is ginormous! What are we doing?"
"What? You don't remember Riley?" Austyn teases Azrail. Azrails jaw drops as he stares at the dragon in front of him.
"Not so little any more, huh?" I elbow Azrail playfully as Riley lowers his head and chuffs peacefully in Azrails face.
"Azrail..." Rileys voice was smooth, rich, and had a low rumble to it. He butts his head against Azrails chest and the low rumble continued, growing louder until it was something of a continuous purr. Azrail stumbled slightly but gained his footing and started petting Rileys head. I clapped my hands as I came up with an idea.
"Azrail, you lead Riley away and distract him while Austyn and I return-"
Austyn interrupted me as he finished what I was going to say, "and eat the candy." Or maybe not exactly what I was going to say. I rolled my eyes but nodded my head reluctantly.
"You think I can do this?" Azrail asked, rubbing Riley under his scaly neck, making the dragon purr louder.
"Who wouldn't be more fit for the job? Perhaps lead him somewhere safe, like his home." I noted, and motioned for Azrail to start leading the dragon away so we could get the candy. Azrail put his hand on Rileys neck and began to lead the dragon away.
After around an hour of hard work, Austyn and I had succeeded in our mission of distributing the candy. We hadnt seen Azrail or Riley ever since the dragon had left with his friend. Austyn and I decided to head to Rileys house. We were greeted by Rileys parents who let us in. We headed to the living room to find a movie playing, the bright lights of the movie flashing in the dark room. The light of the screen illuminated Azrail sprawled out on the couch and fast asleep, a small crimson dragon curled up on his chest. Austyn and I grinned. The bet wasnt decided yet but I had a feeling that I would win and Austyn would owe me five dollars by the end of the year. |
