Aurora Magazine 2017

Puff cleared his throat and peered at Jackie from the corner of his eye. Jackie leaned against the gunwale with his arms crossed over his chest; looking with disgust toward the sad spectacle ahead. There was no dock to welcome their vessel, so Puff took a graceful leap over the gunwale landing with a gentle splash that disrupted the placid water only briefly. With one large talon grasping the thick rope hanging at the bow of the boat, Puff waded through the shallowing waters and hoisted the boat forward so that only a small portion of the stern was left to be caressed by the gentle laps of water. The larger portion of the vessel sat firmly upon stiff sand. Now, upon closer inspection, Jackie and Puff were able to assess the full extent to which Honalee was suffering. The usually bright green foliage was dull; appearing more black than green. The flowers had lost most of their petals, and those that were still attached only barely hung on as they threatened to kiss the ground beneath. No voices or songs of the inhabitants could be heard echoing in the stillness. Honalee looked like the eminent death that Puff felt in his heart. He feared there was no cure. A solemn voice whispered, “Jackie, Honalee needs you.” “What do you want me to do?” Jackie voiced. “I don’t care about this shit hole.” Jackie’s words cut across Honalee like a sharp blade, striking down the last few glimmers of hope. The trees simultaneously bent in distress. Those few remaining petals gave up their battles and floated to their earthen graves. The island itself shifted lower into the water, threatening to disappear entirely. Tears threatened to wash Puff ’s cheeks. “Besides,” Jackie snapped, thrusting a finger in Puff ’s direction, “You are the magic dragon, not me.” “But Jackie,” Puff sniffed and ran the back of one claw underneath his nose. “Its Jack!” The boy corrected, placing his hands on his hips and pointing his chin toward Puff. Puff scrunched his eyebrows and frowned. “Jack, my magic has faded. I am too weak to perform a miracle of this magnitude.” Puff ’s gaze shifted toward his feet. Just then a small creature peered out from behind one of the drooping trees. It was barely two feet tall, with features that were reminiscent of a small naked child, aside from the large nose that protruded from its forehead area and took up most of its

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