Page 24 of Red Fire

“Close your eyes,” I tell him, and Creed does as I ask.

“Hide your things under one of the bushes,” he murmurs.

I make a noise of agreement as I slip off my trainers and socks, followed by my jeans, which I shimmy down my thighs. Then I’m standing there in just my underwear, feeling exposed. The thought of washing off is just too good to miss out on, so I place my things out of sight.

“Ready?” he asks. “We have to hurry this up.”

“I know. Don’t look, okay?”

He grunts, holding out his hand. “Take it. I can’t keep you safe if I can’t see you. At least this way, you won’t be swept away.”

“Is it that strong?” I look down at the water as I grab his hand, which is calloused and huge.

“Yes. Let’s go.” He starts to walk toward the river. He keeps his eyes shut.

I take a deep breath as we step into the cool water, the current tugging at my legs. It is stronger than it looks, the waterswirling around my calves, trying to sweep me away. We go a little deeper, and I start washing myself with one hand as soon as the water reaches about mid-thigh. Creed does the same. The water splashes against us, threatening to knock me off balance. But Creed’s grip is strong, and he keeps me steady as we first drink our fill and then start to clean ourselves.

It’s great to feel the grime and dirt from the last two days come off me. Creed dunks under the surface, emerging a few moments later before going back under. It looks good. My hair feels caked to my head with soot and ash, and god knows what else.

“I’m going under,” I tell him.

Creed grunts.

No sooner is my head below the surface than he’s pulling me up and into his arms. Three bounding strides later, we are out of the water. Another few steps, and we are ducking under the canopy behind a thick bush.

We crouch behind a tree; Creed presses his front to my back. I turn, noting that his eyes are cast upward toward the opening in the jungle, where a dragon appears. An honest-to-god dragon. I can barely believe what I am seeing. It’s flying over us. My mouth unhinges and drops open as three more appear behind it. One of them circles back around. They call to one another in low rumbles.

Their scales shimmer in the sunlight, casting an otherworldly glow around them. I feel Creed tense behind me; his muscles coil with restrained power. His fingers dig into my arms, an unspoken command to stay still, to stay quiet. It’s unnecessary; I can barely breathe, can barely think. I’m frozen in place. The dragons fly in lazy circles above us, their wings beating rhythmically as they scan the area below. They’re anything but lazy. They seem to be searching, their eyes perusing the groundbelow. I hope I hid my clothing and backpack sufficiently. Another of the creatures circles back, descending even lower.

They are searching for something. Not us. Surely not? How could they know to look for us? Perhaps they’re merely looking for prey. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. It could be that they’re just out for a leisurely flight.

One screeches and dives down; the others follow.

“Shhhhh,” Creed says in a barely-there whisper straight into the shell of my ear.

I quake, breaking out in a cold sweat. I can’t believe it. I can’t! They’re huge. Even from up here, I can make out barbed tails and spiked heads. Not to mention a jaw that is full of sharp teeth. They’re apex predators, and we’re food. Creed was being kind when he said they would tear us apart and eat us. They will obliterate us. We’d be dead in less than a second.

There’s another screech as they return to the sky, heading away from us this time.

I feel Creed’s heart slow, and the tension drain from him. I, on the other hand, can’t stop shaking. He doesn’t move for a long while. I don’t dare.

“They’ve gone,” he finally whispers, getting to his feet and tugging me up with him.

My eyes are wide, and adrenaline is still coursing through my body. I can’t seem to stop shaking.

“You’re safe with me,” he tells me. “I’ll protect you.”

I shake my head. “They’re…they’re terrifying. Is it true that they can breathe fire?”

He nods.

I put my hand over my mouth. “We’re never going to make it, are we? Be honest with me, please.”

“We can make it.” He takes both my hands and squeezes. “Look at me.” I do. I look straight into his eyes. They soften. “Wecan make it, and wewillmake it. You need to trust me and stay calm, no matter what. You did good. You coped very well.”

I nod and swallow thickly. “O-okay. I’m glad you think so. It’s just that they’re huge and—”

“No, none of that.” He shakes his head, letting me go. “We can do it.”