Aurora Magazine 2017

Anger swept through Puff ’s veins but was quickly halted by overwhelming disappointment. He thought about crushing the small carton in his oversized grasp, it would have been very easy. Instead, Puff closed his eyes, inhaled slowly, and gently laid the carton on the gunwale. “No thank you, “ Puff sighed. Jackie chuckled, “What’s the matter dragon, are cigarettes no your thing? Does only natural smoke fill your lungs?” Jackie teased. Puff offered a sarcastic smile. “What do you call that thing that emits light in your hand” The curious dragon prompted. “What, you’ve never seen a cell phone before?” The corner of Jackie’s mouth scrunched as one of his eyebrows drew in and the other simultaneously went upward. Puff shook his head; his green eyebrows scrunching together. The device piqued his curiosity. “What is its purpose?” “It lets me talk to people without them being near me.” Jackie shrugged. He then chuckled to himself as he read something on the phone’s screen before tucking it away in the same pocket he retrieved the cigarettes from. Jackie extended his reach toward the gunwale and removed another stick from the carton. After placing the carton in his pocket as well, Jackie lit the second stick and began to smoke. A frown flashed upon Puff ’s face. “That doesn’t seem too healthy, “ he scolded in a condescending tone. Jackie shot a sharp look in Puff ’s direction. “Where would you like to go first?” Puff abruptly changed the subject. Jackie shrugged as he mumbled under his breath, “Home.” Puff ignored the insult and instead focused on the island before them in the distance. It was Honalee, and its flora seemed to wilt with Jackie’s growing disinterest. Puff ’s shoulders and spirit began to droop as well. “I thought we might visit the Isle of the Living Sneezes first. An old friend is looking forward to speaking with you.” Puff was hopeful that Jackie would show more interest in their adventure at the mention of a favorite past time place. Unfortunately, Jackie seemed reluctant to go. They sailed in silence toward the ever growing mound of earth in the north. With just enough wind to fill the sail, and no more, the mysterious blue depths surrounding the boat reflected the occasional cloud as clearly as glass. The dense mists thinned ever so slightly as the distance between the boat and island closed. The wilting plant life of Honalee seemed less vibrant in color than usual. It was quiet as well, eerily so.

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