The Dragonslayer: Ch. 1: 13th Birthday

Chapter 1: 13th Birthday
Snow fell outside- like tiny balls of white light- onto the concrete. I stared out the window, as the flakes of winter drifted slowly onto my window. My eyes were slowly closing- I was completley exhausted- but I couldn't fall asleep. Tomorrow would be my 13th birthday. Finally, the big one three. Finally, I would be one step closer to becoming a man, or so I thought. I sat on my bed, sheets on the ground, hair a mess. I couldn't help being jittery. I was finally going to get some respect in this place. I mean, it's not like Mom disrespected me, but she sure didn't hold me to high enough standards. I was completely capable of being a success, but I was lazy...

I stared up into the sky. The constellations hung high, some shining like the sun, others as dim as the dark night sky. I could make out Orion, the manliest man I'd ever heard of. He was a great hunter in mythology, too bad he wasn't real... I layed down the bed, letting my head sink down into the soft pillow. I closed my eyes, darkness flooding the lids as I did. I would try to go to sleep, sure. But that didn't mean I actually would.

Sure enough, Mom came in the next morning and I was staring at the cieling- eyes bloodshot and watery. She barked angrily at me for staying up all night, and then merilly sang happy birthday. I laughed at her sudden mood swing, and smiled as she handed me a red box wrapped in a silver ribbon.

"Is it money?" I chuckled, tearing the ribbon off.

"Just open it, silly," she laughed rolling her eyes.