chest? My neck?


  I squinted, out of breath, at it, trying to follow it's gaze. It looked down at my chest, then back at my face, then at my chest again, moaning in a growly sort of way.



  I looked down. The creature was staring at...


  "Oh, no way!" I don't know what came over me, maybe it was the near-death experience, but my paralyzing fear suddenly melted into stone-cold anger as I realized what it wanted.


  "You dragged me...all the way out here--on my birthday..." I reached up and tugged my medallion over my head and held it out, "For THIS?!"


  The dragon snarled longingly and threw itself at the wall, trying to slam it's way into my hiding spot. Pebbles and dust clattered down from the impact, and I covered my head with my arms, still clutching my only birthday present tightly.


  It opened its mouth and the back of its throat glowed orange. I flinched and scrunched up tighter, preparing to be speared by it's flaming spikes.

  But my captor apparently thought better of it. Maybe it figured out it couldn't get my necklace if I got singed to a crisp and didn't come out of my own will.


  Tears sprang into my eyes and I sniffed, some of my fear returning, along with exhaustion. I wiped my nose on my sleeve.


  "Well you can't have it!" I shouted recklessly, burying my face in my arms, which were folded on top of my knees as I curled up. "It's my only birthday present from my mom and dad!"


  Why was I talking to my worst fear, my newest enemy, a dragon who probably couldn't understand me and wouldn't care if it could? Just coming down from the adrenaline high, I guess. I sobbed into my sleeves, thinking of my Aunt and Uncle and Hiccup and Astrid, who would be waiting for me at the arena this evening, wondering why their newest recruit never showed up.


  I don't remember when I fainted or passed out or whatever. I just remember breathing heavily through my tears and gazing hopelessly at my medallion before I blacked out.