The Visitor

Not everything in the dark is hunting.

She lay in bed as still as she could.

The warning had been clear.

Don’t move.

She tried breathing shallowly.

There hadn’t been time to pull the blankets over her head.

She lay there,
imitating a corpse.

Then, from the corner of her eye,

she saw it.

The skeletal remains of a dragon.

It moved with great effort.

Each motion carried
the sound of bones remembering movement.

She didn’t move.

The creature crossed the room
without hurry.

Without hesitation,
it climbed onto the bed.

Then gently,

carefully,

it lowered its heavy skull
onto her shoulder.

She lay there,
staring at the ceiling.

Waiting.

Was it safe to breathe yet?