I frantically beat my wings backward as I flew a few feet past the open door. The crawler was in the room just as I'd feared. It's putrid stench and the distant scent of something oddly familiar hit my nose as I stared into it's eyes.

My blood ran cold as I saw it loom over the defenseless tissue box; a few shreds of the flimsy paper already discarded in pieces like confetti over the floor.

Anger coursed through my body as I threw myself towards the dreaded creature. One of its many legs quickly became trapped in my maw as I clamped down as hard as I could.

My teeth easily broke skin as I kept pushing for more pressure in my bite. Only a moment passed before I heard and felt the sickening crack I was waiting for and released to jump a few tail lengths away. The screech of the crawler filled my ears as I was just barely able to avoid the clawed toe aimed at my neck.

The crawler stumbled for just a moment as it charged in my direction. Fear was the last thing on my mind as I welcomed the adrenaline fueling my rage.

With the pressure built up in the back of my throat, I unleashed a torrent of fire right into the crawlers face. It reeled back in pain from the scorching flames consistently being blasted at it. My assault continued until the pressure was gone causing me to pause and catch my breath.

My throat was sore from overuse. I wasn't used to holding onto a flame for so long. The crawler was still standing, though it was obvious it was becoming weaker as it swayed from side to side. A growl grew from my chest at the very thought of this thing remaining alive.

I launched at another of it's legs, smelling the burnt flesh of the monster as I drew closer. The crawler jerked back, trying to stay clear of my dangerous teeth. However, its avoidance was in vain as I had already decided for it's time to be up. My feint distracted it long enough for me to propel myself into the side of the over-sized arachnid. It's neck was soft and easy to penetrate as I bit down with all my resentment I had for these creatures. It's blood tasted revolting, but I was determined not to let go until we were a heap of black and green on the cabin floor.

I backed away, scorching it with more flames to burn the taste from my mouth. It lay on its back for a few moments before going into intense convolutions. I watched it through tinted vision until I was sure it's movements had stopped completely.

My attention was pulled away as I suddenly recalled the reason I had come into the room. My neck strained as I spun to face a slightly scratched tissue box. I took large strides as I bolted to the container's side.

My heart felt lighter as I attempted to calm down from all the adrenaline that had just flooded my system. Looking inside, I could tell quite a bit of the tissues were missing and by the mess on the floor, I could tell who did it.

With a slow breath, I carefully pulled out the bundles of tissues that held my hearts. My first egg easily fell from the soft paper into the mound of sand I had spread out. Though, the second didn't seem to want to come loose of it's wrapping. More than that, the bundle felt way lighter than the first one. A bit out of breath, I held the bundle in my arms before ripping away the thin protection. The tissue was indistinguishable by the time it lay on the floor with the rest of the littered paper. My head pounded with the empty accomplishment.

I instantly went back to the box and tore out ever single white piece I spotted, even going as far as pouring out more of the sand. My heart was beating out of my chest as I stared at the nothingness inside of the box. Not only was my heart pounding louder than I could think, but my breathing was becoming snappier with every step I took. I searched through every shred of tissue five times over before realizing Tuskon was standing in a daze at the door.

He saw the crawler with its legs curled in and me running around panicked among the discarded trash. As he took a step further into the room, I rushed to him with my egg in the gentle grip of my maw. I stood at the base of his feet until he stooped down closer to my level. Depositing the tiny life into his hands, I rushed back to the mess to continue searching.

I searched the box, the tissue pile, under the bed, and then the box again. The familiar pain was returning to my heart. It felt too much like a repeat of what happened that day. The heat and discomfort of that day built up until I released it in the form of fire over the thin paper.

The flammable materials burned and quickly turned to nothing but bits of ash. The only white that remained stuck out of one of the ash piles.

I wasn't sure what I was looking at as I hesitantly inched closer. Reaching out, I lifted it from the dusty substance. The small piece of white was smooth and solid. Tears stung at my eyes as I finally realized what that distant smell was.

I didn't think the scent would be so fresh in my mind after so many years of being a dragonet. The memory of fun breakfasts with my family trickled into my thoughts as I recalled all the eggs I'd cracked over counters and pans. I didn't know it was something I could remember so well until the terror was right in front of me.

Everything stopped. My heart cried out silently as I listened to the clueless breathing of my caretaker. I turned around to face the towering alien.

Tuskon had my egg gently cupped in his hands as he softly walked towards me. I held the white fragment in my hands, waiting for him to come closer. It didn't take him many steps as he was soon just a tails length away. With grace, he knelt down and allowed himself to lift me up into the support of his arms.

Moving my legs into a more comfortable position, I savored the warmth that seeped into my scales. I meticulously swapped my precious egg in his hands for the fragment in my own and gently hugged my fragile treasure close as I took in the calming scent of the Kymari. Clean sheets and fresh mountain air.

With his nail, he started scratching behind my ear tufts, "This wasn't supposed to happen."

I didn't give him a reaction. This wasn't supposed to happen. It was as if some greater being was pulling the strings to give me the worst possible life imaginable. What was I? The new Job?

I snorted, "Stupid. As if I'd get something out of all of this."

Tuskon seemed to sense the distress radiating off of me, "It's going to be okay. I understand you're upset. We'll be back home soon."

The fog in my mind cleared as if his words had snapped them away. I could feel something squeezing my heart; Was it hatred? Sadness? Maybe oppression? I wasn't sure. Though whatever it was, it took away my ability to stay calm.

My body shook with the mystery feeling flowing through me, "No you don't understand."

Tuskon's breath hitched in his chest. I looked up to stare into him with my depressed yet determined eyes. His own eyes shone wide with what could either be wonder or shock.

"I'm sorry?" Tuskon asked, not even sure about his own question.

I narrowed my eyes into a glare as I mentally prepared myself to take off, "You heard me."

His lips parted, getting ready to thread a sentence out of his next words. Before he could, I flapped my wings hard to turn midair and launched underneath the tossed covers of the bed.

* * *

I silently stayed hidden in the warmth of the bed as I eavesdropped on all the conversations that passed into the room. I found out the two crawlers I had done in were cleaned up and taken with a third one to dispose of. While I wasn't completely aware of the third crawler's existence, I was glad I didn't have to mess with it.

A few of the aliens on board came by to give their thanks to me for my help, but Tuskon calmly turned them away saying I was distressed after the sudden recent events. I appreciated his efforts and came to realize I regretted acting so aggressively towards him. Though I didn't really want to do any form of apologizing, I knew it would only shed a negative light if I didn't. I did just reveal another huge secret, after all.

I felt like I was going to decay with all the stupid pride trying to hold me back. Through gritted teeth, I wrapped the tiny egg in my tail and pushed through the strong feelings of anger. I just had to keep reminding myself that none of this was his fault.

Without realizing it, I had started growling at myself. Possibly another old habit of self hatred leaking through from my past life. Even though I somehow knew it was considered bad thinking, could it really be anyone's fault other than my own? Everything bad seemed to be centered around me yet I'm the one still standing. How could it not be my fault?

I took a couple of deep breaths to settle my mind as I shook off the final layer of blankets. The gravity had been fixed for at least an hour since I had shut myself away, causing my entire body to feel even heavier than it already was. Any fires had been long put out and every mess was wiped from existence.

Looking around, it was as if the disaster had never happened. Tuskon was sitting by the small window reading what looked to be a digital book. I had already heard him talking to Marcy a while ago, yet he failed to mention the obvious fact that I had spoken to him.

Before anything else, I forced myself to physically look calmed. My ears were still slightly pinned to my head, but at least I was no longer glaring deadly daggers nor growling at myself. If anything, it was definitely a step up from how I was earlier.

I centered myself at the foot of the bed before resting my egg on top of a shirt Tuskon still had laid out. It was clear he had spotted my movements, yet he did nothing. He was trying to keep me calm, though his discreet actions only put me more on edge. I hated not being able to see past his natural poker face.

I didn't have the courage to look towards him, "Tuskon."

He shuffled for a moment, "This isn't my imagination?"

My mind voice sounded weak as I continued to face the opposite wall, "No."

We were both silent for what felt like hours. Words didn't seem to want to form in this thick atmosphere.

But my words weren't lost as I finally turned my head, "I'm sorry."

Tuskon didn't reply right away as he contemplated inside his own thoughts, "Are you alright?"

I turned away again. Was I alright? I thought I was. Though those weren't exactly the words that managed to flow into the mind link, "No."

I heard the bed creak and whipped my head back to find Tuskon already sitting on my other side. Without thinking, I placed the last of my trust and hope into his huge hands. My instincts just couldn't ignore how much comfort I felt with him around. It could never compare to how it was with Dan, though for now, this was enough.

I stared off the edge of the bed as we sat in silence. In all honesty, this was getting awkward. I couldn't stop thinking of what scenarios could be going through his mind. What would I have done if I found out some fire breathing lizard could speak to me? Actually, I didn't want to think about it.

Tuskon let out a long breath as he rubbed his thumb across the shell's surface, "Will you be alright?"

I thought for a moment before realizing I didn't have an answer. Whether I would be alright or not would be up to time.