"Steemit Challenge s28wk1 : Zany and the tiny colored dragon
Zany believed that the city consumed emotions. People walk faster than ever, speak fast, and forget fast, like staying still long enough to feel something might crack their Amor.
Zany used to be the same, or at least she presented herself as someone who was, by her own account. But tonight, with rain falling down her sleeves and the tiny dragon 🐉 perched on her hand, she felt her heart creak open in a way that terrified her.
The tiny dragon tilted its head, its iridescent cakes flickering between warm gold and blue colors she hadn't seen in her own like for months.
She whispered and said, "You're real." Her question was more like a confession.
The dragon chirped a soft, musical sound like wind chimes stuck in a dream. Then it nudged her thumb with its tiny snout. Zany almost laughed, but the sound came out hollow, like she was remembering how to laugh rather than doing it.
She asked it. "Why now and why me?"
No real answer, of course. Creatures like this didn't speak aloud. They didn't have to. They only reflected your back at yourself.
The color of the tiny dragon shifted to soft pink now, almost hopeful. Zany sucked in a breath. "Hope? Really? You must have the wrong girl".
The tiny dragon fluttered its wings, sending faint sparks into the misty air as if disagreeing. It lifted off her hand, circling her once, slowly and deliberately, and then drifted down the street. It then looked back, waiting.
"Oh," Zany muttered. "You want me to.... follow you?" Another chiming troll.
Zany shoved her hands deep into her pockets and walked away.
The rain thinned, leaving behind the kind of evening silence that made the world feel paused. Zany followed the tiny dragon past shuttered bookstores and neon puddles, past strangers who only noticed them when the dragon's glow reflected in their tired eyes. As they passed, some people smiled faint, small surprised smiles that made Zany feel she was hiding something.
Eventually, the tiny dragon led her to the old overpass, the place she used to go before everything in life had gotten too heavy to carry anywhere but home. Now the place felt different for her. Maybe it was the way the tiny dragon light settled over the cracked concrete, softening it.
Onto the low stone, Barrie Zany sank. The tiny dragon settled beside her hip, warm against the chill. She whispered, "For months", "I thought feeling nothing was easier than feeling anything. But I didn't know nothing could hurt too".
The tiny dragon rested its head on Zany arm. Gold light flickered understanding.
"And now you have shown up. Like a... I don't know. A sign?" She huffed. "Or a glitch in the universe that accidentally landed on me".
I'm inviting: @ukpono, @mercybliss, and @woka-happiness
Cc:-
@dove11
Hello @jasminemmrry, thank you so much for taking part in Steemit Challenge Season 28 Week-1. We truly appreciate the time and creativity you put into your entry. Your assessment, including feedback and scores based on our evaluation criteria provided below.
Thank you for the invite and good luck to you.