Dragonmander continued…

Chapter 3:

One week later and we find ourselves sitting on a rug in my bedroom. We sit without a sound, taking gradual sips of hot tea and eating biscuits, my favourite combination. Outside it was raining badly and strong fog covered the town. Inside the fire roars and we’re safe and warm. However, Violet has plans. “Tootsie I really do have a plan!” Here she goes again, I think. “I know where it lives!”

It appears that Violet has spent ages in the horrific,bitter

cold,standing  around the pier and pacing along the beach. She insists to have seen odd footprints, just like the ones outside in the sand. But these footprints have been spotted in a cave near the sea cliffs, leading to someone or something. 

I lock up the museum; making sure that the windows are shut and the doors locked. I made sure I was clothed warm, with my soft,snug coat and two torches. The ghastly mist swirls around me and Violet, as we walk up the narrow steps to the ancient caves. It’s like being trapped in a snowglobe. It was a long way down! But for Violet it only challenged her. I know she can’t be left alone as she is very determined and bone-headed; so I follow her. Carefully we made our way up. 

I didn’t trust Violet, but the sandy footprints are quite clear, as we stand near the mouth of the cave. Observing, a set of footprints lead into the dark,depths of the cave and another lead down another set of steps.  “Come on Toot! We have a chance and we can’t mess it up!”, Violet says, intrigued, clicking on her torch. I’m not willing to go in there. But I don’t have a choice. 

The cave is sombre. Fully dimmed. It smells of rotten flesh and water drips from the roof. The rocks casted shadows on the dim walls and my heart thuds as we tiptoed closer. As I thought we found nothing, Violet pointed at it. There were piles of driftwood, dead birds feathers and damp, salty seaweed. In the nest is a dainty,glowing,scarlet egg. We stare in dread! The dragonmander has an egg… 

In that second, I felt a gash of regret. We shouldn’t be here. “Come on, lets go”, I whisper, tapping on Violet’s arm and turning to leave. But there was no light indicating the way out of the darkness! Something was stringing along the murky cave. It does not souf charmed. We’ve heard the sounds before, the snarling growl, the pitter-patter of footprints and the long claws scraping against the wall. We both pointed out touches at the sound and there it stood. The dragonmander Violet steps forwards; I step back…