Note: Exploring the imperfect sense of creativity through writing is important to me, this is why the following short story has not been edited. Imperfection and mistakes are what can lead us to magic in an apparently broken road. Enjoy!

The dragon’s untangled themselves from the chains that had held them so firmly to the grated gates of a 1950s old shack. Their incredible yearning to escape had lessened over time and meant that their motivation to run was big enough to move an inch after the chains had broken. Suffering was all they knew now and with all that they had seen they now felt lost and did not know what to do with themselves. Flight was not possible, despite having wings, because their heart’s, bodies, and mind’s were weak. Afraid, they were swept toward the city but felt a loss of the chains despite the hardship of their years. Unsure of where to turn they found a place of refuge, a place to call home, at least temporarily. Their brown tails became a grass green colour and their darkened wings became sky blue, as they were cleaned in a pool of fresh clean warm water. Cleansed and nurtured they felt after so many years of fantasising a wonderous fate. Over time they grew stronger and love slowly awakened within them after being cared for so well by Wendy, the duchess of Sabrone. Lilly and Wesley were both so grateful for the time Wendy had spent cleaning them up and showing them how deserving and worthy they are of a loving life. There was no end before them, no matter how many memories they collected of wanting to say goodbye to the world. Their feelings and emotions rocked back and forward and sometimes swirled around feeling deeper and deeper in the tunnels of no escape. Their fears crept behind them and horrific memories bounced around their throats and bodies. Having to push through, having to release the past, having to feel, feel, and feel the deep hurt that swirled around them. A sense of hate grew stronger. They hated the hurt and wondered how people could be so cruel. They called out “mamma”, and “pappa” to come to them, to nurture them, to keep them safe. Wendy was there and she did all she could to calm the loss, their fears, and their loss of many years among the chains, but she could never heal their hearts, minds, and bodies. Wendy could only lead the way, everything else was up to Lily and Wesley. Although they felt similar and shared their thoughts, many a thing were different. Lily screamed for someone to save her because life had felt too hard, while Wesley screamed for the loss of his family, his foundation. Both Lily and Wesley wept for love, to feel it, and to release the anger, hatred, and suffering. Wishing and hope had been their tools for survival. While Wesley felt more lost, Lily felt strong. As they swapped their rugby balls of loss and strength, eventually they both became able to handle life without as much support. Empowerment swept toward them from Wendy, she gave them enough tools to send them on their journey without her. Loss again would be felt, so Lily and Wesley flew back to her often so they could see she was always going to be there if they needed her.
Lily and Wesley travelled far to find themselves again. Continuing to work through their hurt they began a journey of healing and creating their lives without so many tears, without so much screaming. Slowly their lives became more calm, not without memories of harm, not without hard times, and not without fear. They took their strength, hope, motivation, persistance, compassion, anger, past hurt, and so much love along the way to their new kingdom, called home. It may not have seemed like they had much, but to them, they had everything and more. Their cottage home of 2 bedrooms with a fire place and a lake nearby was perfect for them. Their hearts grew fond of all they had. A garden filled with carrots, potatoes, beans, and salads, tomatoes, strawberries, fejoia, kiwifruit, and apples nourished their souls and kept them healthy and strong. Although no door would knock so sweetly at the past they could not erase, they sat peacefully holding each other with no need to escape.