Aya clung to the rock. Her thoughts were bleak. Is this it? The end? She was tired of running.
Her vision was spectacular. A trait she cursed now as she watched the red spectre creeping relentlessly towards her. It was hungry devouring everything in its path.
Worse she could smell the acrid smell of death. So strong it hit the back of her throat making her gag.
Aya supposed this must be how her victims had felt before she ended their lives. But, she argued, my act had been one of self-defense not one born of hunger and greed.
Her eyelids fluttered, she wobbled a little as she clung to the rock. I mustn’t sleep yet, she whispered though there was no one to hear. Aya was thirsty, hungry and exhausted.
She looked to the sky. The dark clouds mirrored the color of the charred earth but no rain had fallen.
She offered a prayer to the Gods for a quick end.
A tear escaped.
Then she heard it. A flutter. Ears straining she wondered if she was imagining it. A wishful thought converting a whispering wind to an animal’s movements.
Shoulders slumped as she decided to stay and prepare for death.
Aya flinched when she felt the slightest tingling touch along her back. Turning she saw a bright blue and green flicker darting along her back. The kingfisher moved like a flash of lightning as it danced in the air above her.
She opened her mind and heart to it demanding, “What do you want of me? Death?”
“No. Life. Follow me you are close to a spring which leads to a river many miles from here. ” The kingfisher darted away.
Aya watched him leave. Tiredness dictated she check this out before she moved. Swiveling about she took a deep breath. Her lips quivered as a tentative smile formed. She decided green river reeds never smelt this good.
Summoning the last of her energy, Aya loosened her grip on the rock. Then spreading her wings, the last dragon took flight into the dark sky with a heart burdened with hope.
decidinglybob 
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