She had always dreamt of those flying creatures.

Each had a name and a place on her bed.

She knew they protected her while she slept.

Even as she grew older, her heart kept those friends near.

She refused to hear the lies adults told her;

Imaginary friends who didn’t exist.

She knew better.

Her total belief in her friends earned her a unique gift.

She did not know of this of course,

only her friends knew and could make this come true.

Loyalty to dragons is a cause for

celebration and so as her birthday

came, they gave her a key to their realm.

She awoke the morning of her birthday

and her thigh ached a bit.

She looked down to see a mark;

dark and covering most of the outer thigh,

it was a dragon.

She was now one of them.

Just as they had always been part of her.