This is a flash-fiction piece (less than 250 words) based on an angry/cross dragon.
‘I’ve tried, but he won’t give it back.’ My sister Shelley slumps into the kitchen chair. ‘He’s very angry.’
‘I’ll try, with liquorice,’ I say, filling my coat pockets with Catherine Wheels. Slipping on my wellies, I trudge down the garden.
At only 4ft tall, Pete is a funny sort of chromatic dragon. He lives in our treehouse, having appeared last year and taken up residence. He’s generally nice, but when he’s angry, Pete scorches things.
Pete is sat on top of the pile of junk in the corner, our neighbour’s ruby necklace swinging from his claw. He is a hoarder, especially of shiny things.
‘Pete, we have to give it back!’ I reach out my hand. ‘Mrs Trenton will call the police if we don’t.’
Pete turns purply-red and growls at my advances.
‘I have liquorice!’
Two marble eyes blaze in delight. He jumps off the pile and rushes over, shoving his snout into my pocket. His scales morph back to green again as he licks his sharp teeth with a now black tongue. But he doesn’t hand over the necklace.
Sighing, I pull open my coat and unclip the necklace from around my neck. Pete’s eyes bulge at my extra shiny baubles. One for every colour of the rainbow.
I dangle it in front of him. ‘How about a swap?’
Pete snorts, then reluctantly hands over Mrs Trenton’s necklace before rushing into the corner to place my necklace on top of his hoarding pile.
With a smirk, I walk back to the house.
Shelly’s mouth falls open before she asks, ‘How did you convince him?’
I touch my nose and grin.
In a locked jewellery box upstairs sit a dozen £1 costume jewellery necklaces, especially for such occasions.
I have Pete sussed!
Copyright © 2019 Lottie McKnight. All rights reserved.