As I entered my house, I was met with the familiar smell of my mom’s cooking.

Someone was watching TV—probably dad, and for once, Mirina was silent. It was peaceful and seemed normal, but unless my family had been replaced by aliens, I knew it wouldn’t last. 

“Hey, sweetie, how was your day?” mom asked once as I walked past the kitchen.

“It was okay,” I replied, not wanting to tell her about the time I spent with Clair. I knew she’d make a big deal of it, and I just wanted to eat and go to sleep.

“Judging by that smile, I’d say that’s a lie…but, I won’t pry.” She said with a half smile.

I could see in her eyes that she wanted to know the details, but after a moment she returned to the stove without asking further questions.

“Thanks mom, I promise I’ll tell you once I sort it all out.”

She smiled over her shoulder and nodded slightly, then I joined dad on the couch.

He was watching some show based on the legend of Alexander. I wasn’t particularly interested in it, but I didn’t have anything better to do and I was pretty sure dinner would be done soon.

“So Sam,” dad called from his seat, “If you really could go to another world, what kind of world would it be?”

I took pause to think about the question. I didn’t have any specific fantasies about visiting other worlds. I hadn’t really thought about it, but I came to an answer easily enough. “Any of the places in fantasy stories would be cool and exciting to visit, but I think I’d prefer some place more peaceful. Somewhere with magic, but without the twisted evil maniac that wants to lord over or destroy everything.”

Dad rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Well I suppose that—”

“DID YOU KNOW THEY HAVE A SIMULATED DRAGON RIDE?” Mirina shouted as she thumped down the stairs. “I HAVE TO TRY THAT!”

“Calm down Mimi, save that excitement for tomorrow,” mom said as she began setting plates on the table.

All through dinner Mirina couldn’t stop talking about the fair and eventually I realized it was actually an augmented reality experience and not a fully virtual event. AR was definitely a more interesting prospect than sitting inside some VR machine; by the end of dinner I was as excited if not more so than my sister. 

With my built up anticipation, I wasn’t sure how I was going to sleep. When I went to my room I was still imagining how fantasy land would look; and to what degree it would be virtual. I laid in bed, expecting to be up most of the night, but I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow—except, it didn’t feel like sleeping. It felt more like I’d just woken up.

I was laying in a meadow, the same one from Clair’s picture. Two suns were setting as a violet moon rose and sparkling stars filled the sky. A great white dragon was curled around me, her head resting next to mine as she slept.

I knew she wasn’t full grown, despite already being a bit larger than a horse. Her four horns, sharp fangs, and black spines made her appear intimidating, although I knew her to be kind and gentle. Lumia was a dear friend and somehow during the events of my uncle’s betrayal, we’d become bonded.

Lumia shifted, causing my head to roll off the fluffy tuft that cuffed each of her paws—or would it be more appropriate to call them claws? I wasn’t sure. 

Sitting up, I noticed a man in a hooded cloak walking towards us. He was sickly thin, and his skin lacked luster. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve thought he was some kind of zombie. 

"Sam," he said in a deep grating voice—a voice I recognized.

"How are you here?" I asked as panic built in my sternum.

"I’m not, and neither are you," he said with a shrug. “You’re lost. I only wish to see you home."

With a smile, he extended a hand towards me. 

I didn’t trust him. How could I after what he tried to do to Lumia, after he betrayed the elves and risked war with the dragons. However sincere he might seem, I could see him as nothing but a liar.

"No," I said firmly.

The man's silver eyes narrowed. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "If you’re content to see her dead…" He gestured at the dragon. “…then, so am I.”

I watched as he turned and left, disappearing harmlessly into the darkness.

He was gone, but his warning lingered in the air like a toxic mist. I could feel it, working its way into my lungs, choking and depriving me of oxygen. The dragon opened her eyes then, just as mine were closing. 

Grass brushed against my face then there was the dusty taste of earth.

I woke up in bed with palpitations like I’d just run a marathon. I gasped to catch my breath and looked around my room. There was no sign of anything unusual. I was alone save for Arfred who was whining at the window.

“It was just a dream,” I told myself. “Just a dream.”