~ Renea Goldson ~

Nothing could ever compare to the beauty and wonder of the mountains and the sky. This was something that Renea had not only told herself but she truly believed it whole heartedly. It was also something that Sarah seemed to agree with as well, even if she would never admit to it. Walking along an old path with a huge goofy smile decorating her face she jumped over tree roots.

Sarah was still sleeping in the early hours of the morning that it was. Grinning widely she decided to venture off of the path, as long as she was home before Sarah woke up it would be fine. ‘Besides,’ she told herself, ‘I won't stray far.’ After all Sarah said they would leave for town at noon.

She told herself this again and again, but as she walked off of the path something seemed to pull her deeper into the forest. At one point she tried to head back to the path but the thought was soon clouded over when she stumbled in front of a rocky hill. Her eyes scrunched together in confusion as she looked at the hill. There were five small burrows in the stone and there was a single pale gray rock in four of the burrows. While in the filth there was a single dark golden rock that sat still all alone.

“Wow,” Renea whispered to herself in awe.

Slowly she walked closer to the hill, unknowing of the black eyes that watched her every move. She knew that she should head home and get to her chores where it was safe but the pull towards the strange rocks was too strong to let her back away. With each step that she took closer to the stronger whatever was pulling her got. Now only a few steps away she slowly began to climb the hill. Her hand gripped each rock that was somehow extremely secure with the rocks around it.

It wasn’t long before she reached the rock on the top of the hill. With fascination she placed a hand onto the surprisingly smooth surface. Slowly and ever so carefully she rubbed her hand against the surface. As she examined the golden rock she felt it suddenly move with a quick and surprising jolt. The black eyes that watched Renea jump back in shock and then move closer in amazement.

“Is it an egg? Not a rock?” She asked aloud in shock.

While staring at the golden egg she felt the shell of the egg crack underneath her palm that lay flat against the surface. The amazement and excitement covered her whole face as she placed her other hand onto the egg as well. A quick shadow suddenly passed by the carved spot where the egg lay hidden in. Renea turned her head to look out of the carve in surprise at the passing shadow, however when she didn’t see anything she just shrugged in ignorance.

Suddenly when she wasn’t expecting it something clamped onto her right hand. Letting out a pained yelp she yanked both of her hands away from the egg and gripped the wrist of her bleeding hand. Blowing harshly on the wound, Renea bit her lip as she looked at the fast hatching egg in front of her. Blood was slowly dripping from her hand and she felt the pain begin to burn harshly.

Without making a sound Renea began to climb down the stone hill-like nest unknowing of the sudden movement that hit the egg. Not wanted to get hurt or be any more late she tried to get as far away from the nest as she could. For some strange reason she couldn't seem to walk away from the nest. Something was telling and forcing her to stay where she was.

So against her only judgment she stayed. She stayed standing only a few feet away from the nest, her body refusing to move a single muscle. First it was the confusion that set in and then it was the complete awe and wonder as she stared at the egg that was cracking open. Her eyes widened as she saw teeth come out of the egg and bit into it before spitting the shell out. The creature wasn’t trying to bite her it was just trying to remove the shell. Her upset eyes quickly melted away as she stared at the small head that soon popped out of the egg.

Bight golden eyes glowed as it stared at her, with a face covered in small scales. The creature soon tilted its head as it stared at Renea not moving a muscle. Soon the creature tilted its head to far to the side and the rest of the egg toppled over with it. Renea’s eyes widened in fear as the egg began to fall out of the small burrow. She ran towards the egg and was able to catch it without too much hassle. The sudden weight in her arms caused her to fall to the ground at the sudden change. At the impact of the ground the egg’s cracks suddenly spread across its whole surface and shattered.

With the sudden shock of the impact the small baby creature let out a small chirp. Renea just sat there in pure confusion as she tried to figure out what was going on. Looking at the creature in her arms she slowly and very carefully put it down hoping she didn’t do anything that could have harmed it. Taking a huge gulp she stood up and turned around, quickly she began to walk away only to feel something wet on her bleeding palm.

Snapping her head towards the creature she saw something in the creatures eyes that she had never seen in any other animal. It was something that she thought was worry, however she quickly dismissed it and kept walking. She was already going to be in so much trouble as it was. Sarah was going to ground her for a lifetime not that she’s had very long of one. What she didn’t notice was the way the wound on her hand glowed a solid gold before the wound began to heal itself. The symbol it left behind was nothing short of beautiful.

>>> <<<

“Where on earth have you been!?” Sarah shouted with anger lacing her voice.

“I’m sorry Sarah,” Renea muttered as she stared at the ground in shame.

“Oh you better be sorry young lady! I’ve been worried sick!” Sarah seethed angrily as she placed both of her hands onto her hips.

Renea had been running back towards the path so she could get home, like she had thought it wasn’t far. However the person that stood on the path waiting for her most definitely did not agree. Sarah was blazing with anger and she pulled Renea along all the way back home before she nearly blew a gasket.

“I only wanted to explore! I didn’t mean to be gone so long,” Renea said as she tried to reason with Sarah, or what she thought was reasoning.

“What have I told you!? You need to tell me when you leave the house, it doesn’t matter what for. If you had told me I would have said yes, but you didn’t even bother to try to let me know. For all I knew you could have been dead!” Sarah shouted, her voice going hoarse when she stopped speaking when she saw the look on Renea’s face.

Large tears had welled and were pouring down the sides of her cheeks as she stared up at the woman who raised her. Sarah’s eyes softened when she saw them, letting out a long sigh she kneeled down to Renea’s level. She wrapped her arms around the child and pulled her into a warm embrace.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be mean, but I was terrified. You weren’t in your room when I woke up or anywhere to be seen and I had no idea if you were okay or not,” Sarah said as she slowly brought her head to look in Renea’s eyes.

“Never ever do anything like that again,” Sarah said as she set a finger onto Renea’s nose.

“Yes Keeper,” Renea nodded as a blush coated her cheeks when Sarah gave a small smile.

“Now let’s head...” Before Sarah could even finish her sentence she froze when she saw the symbol that was on the palm of Renea’s hand. “What is this?” She asked her voice filled of confusion and worry.

Confused at the question Renea looked at her hand and her eyes widened in shock. On the palm of her hand was the small hole from where she was bitten but the hole was sealed over with some sort of gold. There were also curved lines of gold that came out of the middle but when she clenched her fist she didn’t feel as if anything was there.

"What happened to you?" Sarah asked with shock and worry in her voice.

"I...I don't know?" Renea replied as a question.