George stirred in his bed. Not wanting to leave. He’d just had the weirdest dream. A dream about a dragon and wolves? Stupid. 

His eyes twitched as the rays of sunlight hit his face. He was back in his room. He was back in his room? He startled awake and immediately started pulling and pinching his cheeks. He felt all around his body. No scars. His face wasn’t caked with dirt. His back was perfectly fine.

‘It was just a dream. It was just a dream.’ He let out a sigh of relief.

He slid off his bed and started folding his blanket. The birds sang their tune and the trees were as green as can be. Wait, green? He was certain it was mid autumn… 

“Geoorge, wake up, it’s your turn to feed the pig.” It was his little sister, Anna. She stared at him with her big forest green eyes. 

“Oh right. Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He said, smiling to himself. 

Downstairs, George’s mom was cooking bacon. Wait, Bacon? In the spring? Why would they kill the pig so early? George shook his head. It didn’t matter. Maybe they were just doing something different this year. Their crops have been doing well so yeah. That’s probably it.

“George. Don’t forget to feed the pig.” His mom reminded him.

“Yeah… I won’t.”

Stepping outside, he breathed in the fresh spring air with a ting of the decaying leaves. Wait, what? But it’s spring. Or was it autumn? It didn’t matter. It was a beautiful day afterall. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, except there wasn’t a sun either… 

“What is the matter son, are you feeling under the weather?” His dad asked him.

“Yeah, no, I’m fine…” Wait. That wasn’t how his dad talked, and did he always have his brown hair combed like that? And since when did he dress like a merchant?

Was he a merchant? Weren’t they… Farmers?

George jerked his head back to see a tall building in place of where there should have been a hut. 

“Master Richard, Master George. Welcome back.”

“Yes, thank you, Perry. I am famished. I trust you have already prepared something.”

“Most certainly, Sir.”

Since when did they have a butler named Perry?

George looked down, where there should have been a simple wool tunic and pants, were sophisticated city clothes. The kind you don’t see very often.

A little later, they were all seated around a table except where was Ash? They were missing one family member yet no one batted an eye. 

“What’s wrong George? You’ve barely touched your food? What, is it not to your liking?” His mother asked, she too was in a dress gown. Her unruly hair was kept neatly in a bun. The food before him was mouth watering to say the least. In the middle of the table was a whole roasted pig and for dessert they had egg custards. Things he’d only seen in picture books in passing. 

“Where’s Ash?”

“Who?” Both parents asked in unison. 

“My little brother… Ash.”

“Who are you talking about?” Anna chimed in.

“Come on guys, you can stop now. Where’s Ash?”

“George… we don’t have any other children other than you and Anna.” Richard said. 

Those words made George’s head ache. 

“Stop playing with me!” He banged the table, rattling the plates and silverware.

“Ash! The youngest and—and wasn’t it autumn just yesterday? And—and why are you all dressed like that?!”

Overcome with emotion, George stood up, threw his napkin on the table and ran, he tore across the grassy field into the dark forest.

The once bright sunless sky immediately turned dark and rain began to pour.

Lightning cracked through the clouds, followed shortly by thunder. He didn’t know what he was doing but anything was better than doing nothing. George ran and ran, his fancy clothes offering little in warmth. 

Somehow, he found himself in the clearing he met Fafnir but nothing around here was charred. No trees were bent out of shape, not one grass blade was singed. 

He felt it in his guts that Fafnir was somehow behind this. “FAFNIR!!” He yelled at the top of his lungs. “I know you’re behind this, I’m not playing your games. Take me back right now!”

But there was no response. Not even the whistle of wind, not even a hoot of an owl. 

The rain began to pour. For once in his life. George’s gravity defying, dirty blonde hair was down. Thunder roared overhead, masking George screaming out in frustration. 

The world began to bleed into red as a laughter he was all too familiar with, unwelcomingly filled the atmosphere.

“I thought you might’ve liked this world. Pity, I really did put some elbow grease in crafting it. I don’t know what roommates do, especially not someone I share a body with.” Fafnir spoke, a playful tone in her voice.

George looked up to see a woman who looked to be in her twenties, standing before him in a red dress. His long black hair extended past her waist. But she had the same malice filled, red snake slitted pupils.

“Do you like it? I’m sure this is what humans found appealing. Especially for a growing boy like you.” She teased, every syllable laced with venom.

George bit his lips, his stomach turned at the thought of finding her attractive.

“Take me back!” He demanded, walking over to her until they were eye to eye. 

“Are you sure? Even if it meant dealing with me?” She smirked. Her eyes studying George’s for any sign of weakness. “You could stay here, you know? Safe, with your family. I’ll even add Ash. Take away all the fancy things and bring back the farm.” Her fingers danced along his chest. “Stay George. I promise I’ll give you back your body once I’m done with it. You won’t have to worry your head about a thing.” Her words only added to his fury. 

“I swear on my family that you’ll get what’s coming to you. You won’t get your way.” He said, his whole body trembling with rage.

“Really? You sure? I hope you won’t regret this.” She whispered into his ears as she pushed him with enough force that he felt he was hit by a cannon ball.

All the painful memories came flooding back and George jolted awake in cold sweat. Only this time. He was in an unfamiliar room in a stranger’s bed.