Dillan pulled my hair and got mad. That's how it all started. 

Being seven and all, I think I handled it well. I ran off to find Mom or Dad to tell on her. My white locks were pulled back into a braid, and  Dillan pulled the braid so here I am, stumbling over my two feet trying to find Mom and Dad. They're supposed to be in the back! I ran and ran around in circles. A few tears came to my eyes thinking that they abandoned me. 

A hand rested on my shoulder and I saw Dillan. Her white hair illuminated in the sun and she weakly smiled at me. I wanted to tell her so many things. Like that I love her. Like that she's my best friend. Like I've never met anyone better. 

Her hand was warm and I closed my eyes and let a tear fall. I wanted to tell her that I think Mom and Dad are gone. They would leave because of me. 

"I'm sorry Eddie!" Dillan exclaimed. 

My lip quivered and I wrapped my arms around my stomach. I'm going to be sick. Like pukey sick. She smiled and her black eyes twinkled. I shivered involuntarily, she's making me feel guilty. Her skin is turning into scales. She's the big dragon! Not Puff the Dragon but a scary one! Her eyes turned catlike with slits of black in the green color. I inhaled an audible sharp breath and started crab walking away from her. 

She's growing bigger than the house. Her eyes softened and I could see that she's trying to understand but it's hard to look when she's looming over me as if ready to kill. But that's just a dragon this. 

My hands fell into the mud behind me and my fists curled around a handful. I don't want to throw it at Dillan but it's no longer Dillan, it's a dragon! 

"Eddie, Dillan, what are you two doing?"

We turned around to see Sam holding baby Mike. Mike was sucking his foiler. I realized that I was crying and Dillan was standing over me. I stood up fully aware that I'm covered in mud and bolted to Sam. He gently placed Mike down to crawl and hugged me. He was okay with my tears and mud staining his shirt. I hugged him tightly, the dragon is still here. 

"Shh, Dillan, come here," Sam whispered while motioning to himself. Dillan reluctantly came over and I realized she's normal again. No scales. Flesh and pores again. I tilted my head but that didn't stop my crying. My only friend became a monster in the blink of an eye. Sam leaned down to Dillan and whispered, "I want you to go inside. Now."

Dillan gave me a small, pitiful glance before running inside. Yes. Pitiful. That stabbed like a knife. 

---

"Eddie, you ready for the dance?" I turned to Lindy, she was looking at my lovingly, a look I haven't been the recipient of for a while. 

I twirled around. Every year the mental hospital has a fundraiser to raise money and keep the joint alive. All sponsors come and see how the 'clients' are doing. Let me just say, Lindy's the only caring one and I'm lucky to have gotten her. 

She dressed me in a blue floral dress with a break in a middle but attached by a loop. She braided my hair back like the way Cassie did and I felt like a princess. And I hated it. 

"Everyone will be asking you questions," Lindy admired while I watched her skin burn alive. Just like Cassie's. 

I bit my lip, it's not like a Yelp will come out but I had to refrain the pained expression. 

Little did they know that tonight was going to be a big mistake. The biggest mistake is having me go.