My name is Thomas Terrible Tomson of Ibecil. I was a scrawny boy, butone with impressive smarts. My parents disowned me, and so I live in the woods. I still participate in village events, but when I arrive and before I leave, a boy, Hunter, the chief's son, comes over and gives me a good beating 'to remind me of my place'.

One night, I had enough.

I ran out into the forest I knew so well. I tripped over tree roots and underbrush, but never stopped. A feminine voice called my name, yet I didn't halter. I ran until my legs gave out, and I landed on scales. I recognized them because the village hung scale pelts up in the Grand Hall.

The dragon shifted, like my weight irritated it. I noticed it was tied up in a bola, a very heavy contraption my island created recently. I hesitantly took out my dagger, a small, pitiful thing and stood over the dragon. I lifted the dagger above my head, and brought it down, letting out a cry. It sliced through the main rope, rendering the invention useless. The dragon's eyes shot open, revealing wise, old, blue orbs of sadness. I knew what he wanted.

Somehow.

I walked over to stand by his muzzle, where he opened his mouth, revealing sharp teeth. I stabbed my wrist over the longest tooth. I screamed out in agony. The pain scorched through me like fire on wood.

I heard heavy footsteps, but they weren't as loud as the old dragon's breathing stuttering.

At least until it stopped.

My eyes filled with tears. I may not have known this dragon, but I could tell he was a gentle, kindhearted soul.

The village men had come to kill whatever hurt one of their own, outcast or not. When they saw it dead, their eyes filled with disbelief. The chief, Hunter's father came forwards. His took one glance at the dragon, my wrist, and my dagger, which was slightly soaked in some of my blood.

He let out a hearty laugh, great and booming. The Viking men looked at him in surprise. The chief's laugh turned contagious, as several Vikings started laughing too.

I looked around in confusion. What was so funny?

The tall man slapped me on the back, nearly sending my sprawling onto my feet. I might be only nine, but I had to have some balance.

The chief lifted me onto his shoulders and paraded me back to the village.

~

I was dropped onto one of the seats in the Meade Hall. This one was inferior to the Grand Hall due to the minor carvings that decorated the Grand Hall. The Meade Hall was large and was meant for eating, and for getting drunk. Not one person who was celebrated walked out sober that night.

I did though. Somehow.

I felt queasy the whole night, so I tried to leave several times, key word: tried. A Viking (always a drunk one) would come over and congratulate me or laugh about how I won't be an outcast anymore. I always chuckled nervously, and my eyes kept flitting over nervously to the dead dragon, hoping it would wake up. I managed to escape when the chief announced another round, receiving drunk cheers.

I bolted into the forest, the familiar woods calming me. I slowed to a trot and ran my hand along tree branches and trunks. The words, 'I meant to run away tonight' ran through my mind more than it should have. I was panting, sweat ran down my face, and trickled down my neck.

I felt my shoulders itch and I resisted the urge to scratch them. I muffled my scream as the itch ran down my legs and along my arms. My back exploded in pain and I couldn't hold it in anymore. I released a roar of torture. A roar...?

I saw lights heading towards me and I started running. Black scales started to protrude out of my arms and legs, and from the pain in my back, I'm guessing that too. I was filling out and growing rapidly. I landed on all fours and ran faster, drawing ahead of the Vikings chasing me. My shirt burst and leathery wings sprouted out of my back. My green eyes were probably filled with fear. My whole body was bursting with pain as my eyesight sharpened, my sense of smell strengthened, and my hearing intensified.

The villagers were closing in fast, so I spread my midnight black wings and air filled them, lifting my into the air. As I passed over my village, that's when I realized,

I was a dragon.