FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Ryan, it's time to get up for school! Come on now, get dressed and get your breakfast."

There was a groan from under the covers and eventually a blond haired head popped up, blue eyes barely focusing. "It's too early!"

"Same time you always get up. Come along now."

The young boy groaned and slid out of bed, staggering to his dresser, and pulled out his clothes for the day. He put them on with a sigh.

"Ryan, come on, you're going to be late."

"Sorry, mother, I'm just not feeling well"

She came over to him and put a hand on his forehead. "You're not running a fever"

He shrugged. "Still not feeing right."

"Well, eat and then we'll see how you are."

Ryan sat down at the table and ate his cereal, reading the box like children were wont to do. He finished up and put his bowl in the sink, gathered up the rest of his school things and looked up at his mother with an unhappy expression. He didn't like school and she well knew it .

"Ryan, you have to go," she said before he could even open his mouth.

"I'm not feeling well though!"

"Well enough."

"Mother, please!"

"Ryan, it's the law, you have to go."

He sighed. "Yes mother."

She opened the back door to the tiny apartment and ushered him out, then walked him to school. The other kids laughed at him, that mommy walked him to school every morning, but it was no worse than any of the bullying that he received.

And besides, he liked having his mother walk with him; it was rather pleasant.

They got to the underpass and Ryan turned to her and then threw his arms around her. She sighed and patted his back. "You'll be fine."

"If they don't catch me!"

"Ryan, you're just going to have to do better to get along."

"They're mean to me mother! They're mean, they don't listen, and they like tormenting me!'

She sighed and looked down into his eyes. "I'm sorry Ryan. I'll try to figure something out, but until then, just try. Ok?"

"Yes mother."

She watched him walk down the underpass and sighed, wishing that the other kids would just leave him alone and find another target. So what if her son was different? She shook her head at that thought; no need to dwell about that now.

Ryan sat down at his desk, hoping that today would go better than most. Somedays, it wasn't too bad, but mostly they were pretty terrible. As if on cue an eraser hit him in the back of the head. He closed his eyes and ignored it. Responding would make it worse and then the teacher would step in, further compounding the problem.

"Alright, class," the teacher said. "Lets start on your multiplication tables." Everybody groaned and got their paper ready to write out as many of them as they could within the time limit.

Ryan started working, scribbling them down, but he found his concentration kept slipping The timer went off and he looked to find he had only done half the page, when normally he was able to produce a full one. He shook his head in frustration.

"Aw, did little Ryan not get it all done," the kid sitting next to him said.

"Shut up, Eddie," Ryan said, glaring at him

"You gonna make me?"

"That's enough," the teacher said. "Ryan, face forward. Eddie, stop talking."

Ryan sighed. It was just going to be one of those days.

Right before lunch someone came in to address the class on the latest fundraiser. This time it was selling chocolate bars. Ryan sighed. He hated these things and never participated.

"Okay, and the 3rd grade class that sells the most gets an ice cream party!" the man announced and everyone cheered. He grinned. "You'll all have to work together to make it though! Make sure everyone is doing their part!"

Yeah, right, Ryan thought

The bell rang for recess and he stood up, rubbing his eyes, frowning. He wasn't feeling right. Not sick , but not right either. He walked out into the playground, not paying much attention until he found himself surrounded by some of his classmates. He looked around, at them, startled.

"Hey runt, you're not gonna let us down selling those bars are you?" a pudgy red head said, sneering

"I don't like doing those things," Ryan said. "I don't like going door to door."

"Well that's just too bad, aint it? Cause if you don't and we loose, your ass is grass and I'm the lawnmower!"

The laughed and walked past Ryan. One stuck his leg out and tripped Ryan. He squawked and pitched over into the dirt, barely stopping his fall.

"Ryan, stop crawling around it the dirt," his teacher yelled. "I don't think your parents would appreciate you ruining your clothes!"

He stood up and dusted himself off, disgusted, and went to get a drink to try to get some of the dryness out of his throat. As he walked past his teacher he heard on of her pets say "Yeah, his clothes are in bad enough shape!"

The teacher smiled. "His family has money problems. Be nice."

"Yes, Miss Sundry"

Ryan tired to keep back the tears as he drank. Bad enough that the kids made fun of him, but the teacher as well?

By the time lunch rolled around, Ryan was feeling very poorly. He followed the others to the lunchroom, not paying much attention to anything, even ignoring being bumped in to "on accident" a few times.

He got his tray and sat down, staring at the food. "Hey Runt, I'm gonna take those cookies and you're not going to say anything are you?"

"Go ahead, take them," Ryan said absently. "You can have the tray; I'm not hungry." He shove the tray over to the boy and got up, at little unsteady, and went back out to the yard.

"Ryan, you didn't eat. You okay?" Mr. Sulvius said to him as he walked out the door. He was one of the counselors.

"Just not feeling well."

"Hmm," the older man said, and placed a hand on his forehead. "Well, you're a little warm. Why don't I walk you to the office so we can take your temperature?"

"That's fine," Ryan said, feeling a little dizzy. Mr Sulvius steadied him, frowning

"Easy, Ryan. Come on, I'll keep a hand on you."

The started to walk across the schoolyard to the office. "So, how are things going with you?"

"Fine."

"Glad to hear it, though I can't help but notice that those boys took your food."

"I gave it to them."

"Hmm. I think there may have been a bit more persuasion than that."

"It's fine, Mr Sulvius. Not a big deal; I'm not really hungry."

"Ok Ryan. But you come to me if there's any problems, okay?"

Why so you can laugh at me too? Ryan thought but said, "Yes, Mr Sulvius"

They arrived at the office and Mr Sulvius smiled at the nurse. "Needs his temperature checked; I think he's running a bit hot."

"Well," Mrs Nelson said, "lets take a look at him then."

Ryan sat down, still feeling a little dizzy. The nurse came over with a thermometer and placed it in his ear. She looked at it. "He is running a slight fever," she said.

"Hot enough to breath fire?" Mr Sulvius said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Oh you!" Mrs Nelson said. "It's high enough we should call his parents."

"Yes, wouldn't want his dragon breath to set the school on fire!"

Mrs Nelson laughed again. "Careful, St George may come looking for both him and you."

"Me?" Mr. Sulvius said. "I'm just a counselor!"

"Ha!' she said flatly

Ryan had laid his head against the wall, not paying any real attention to the conversation, his thoughts unfocused. He dozed off for a little and work to Mrs Nelson shaking him gently.

"Ryan, your dad's here to get you," the nurse said and Ryan winced.

"He had to come from work?"

"I'm sure he did."

"Hope he's not mad."

"I'm sure he'll be fine."

"You don't know my dad."

Allen walked into the office and looked at his son, worry written on his face. "Running a fever?" he asked

"Yes, otherwise he's fine, other than complaining about a dry throat and mouth."

"Alright. Come on, son, lets get you home."

"Yes, father," he said, and stood to go with his father. He staggered a bit and Allen scooped him up into his arms.

"Easy son," he said. "I'll carry you."

They arrived home and he carried his son in and laid him on the couch. Beth came over, looking worried. "They said he was running a fever?"

"Yeah. Pretty high one."

"I'll get some of his meds."

"Alright."

She came back in with a glass of water and a couple of pills "Here, Ryan, take these. They'll help with your fever and head ache."

"Okay," the young boy said. He took the pills and drank down the water. "Thank you so very much, mother."

"You're welcome."

Ryan sat up on the couch, leaning back. "So very hot."

Allen looked startled. "What did you say?"

"I'm hot."

"So very hot?"

"Yes."

Allen looked over at Beth and she returned a frightened expression

He shook his head. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure? It-"

"It's nothing!"

"Okay, Allen," she said, and sat down next to Ryan, rubbing his back

Ryan leaned over on her and quickly fell asleep. He came too a few hours later, feeling even worse, throat dry and scratchy, head throbbing.

"Mother, I do not feel so very well at all," he groaned

She looked up at Allen, then down at her son. "Not well?"

"No."

She closed her eyes and patted his back. "I'm sorry, son."

"May I have some water, please? I am so very thirsty."

"Yes, Ryan," Beth said, and went to get him a glass

Allen bent down to his son, and rubbed the back of his neck. Ryan flinched. "That is bothersome!"

"Hold still!" Allen snapped and the boy flinched. "Lets get your shirt off you." Ryan nodded and lifted his arms over his head and his father pulled the shirt off him

He looked at his sons neck and swore, just as Beth walked in. "What?" she asked, frightened

"It's starting Beth. The rash, the language, just like they said."

"No! He's still too young!"

"They didn't say when it would be exactly."

"But..." she trailed off

"Please, may I have my water?" Ryan plead

"Yes, Ryan, you don't have to beg, son", she said in a soothing voice and handed him the water. He gulped it down as she looked on, tears starting to roll down her cheeks.

Allen left the room and came back with a leather case with a dragon emblazoned on it. He looked at Beth for along moment and she stared at him, then finally nodded, placing her head in her hands, crying.

Ryan watched, bleary eyed. "What is so very wrong? Why do you have that case?" He had seen the case a few times but his parents had always shooed him away from it

"Don't worry about it, Ryan," his mother said quietly, looking up at him, her face blotchy from crying.

"Mother, I will be fine, I am just a little sick. Please do not worry so very much," he said, trying to reassure her. He laid back on the couch, watching his parents just watch each other, growing more nervous as the silence went on.

His father finally nodded. "No matter how much we rehearsed this, its still not easy."

"I know," Beth said, her voice nearly a whisper.

Ryan went still. "Am...am I dying?"

"No, no, nothing like that son," Beth said soothingly and rubbed his head. He jerked back.

"Please, that is bothersome!"

She dropped her hand and closed her eyes. "Sorry, Ryan."

He put his tiny hand on her arm. "It is okay, mother, my skin is just so very sensitive."

Allen sighed. "Ryan...we want you to know that we love you, you're our son no matter what happens. Okay?"

"Yes, Ryan, you're our son no matter what," Beth said smiling

"I know that," Ryan said looking confused. "Why are you saying this?"

"Ryan...Ryan you're adopted," Allen said. "We thought about telling you earlier but..." he shrugged

Ryan looked at him surprised then at his mother. "Why?"

"Because we loved you at first sight, my son," Beth said, smiling

"No, why was I given up?"

"We're not sure, Ryan, and it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're our son."

Ryan sighed and thought it over. Yes, they were his parents. They had the raising of him, no matter who he was born to. He was curious about his biological parents, but those answers could come later, he reasoned

The family was quiet for a time. Allen and Beth still seemed tense and Ryan looked back and forth between them, growing even more agitated. "What is so very wrong? There is something you are not saying and it is starting to scare me so very much!"

Beth looked at Allen, then back at her son. "Ryan...what do you think of dragons?"

Ryan looked startled, knowing his father's aversion to them. "Well, I mean I like them, they look so very awesome and everything," he said, then hastily added. "I have not collected any or anything though!"

"We're not saying that you have, Ryan," Allen said soothingly. "We just want to know what you think of them."

Ryan looked confused. "I like them, like I said, but you do not so I do not have any."

"Have you ever dreamed you were a dragon?" Beth asked

Ryan flinched. "A...a few times, yes."

"Did you like it?"

He looked at his father nervously and swallowed. "Y-yes mother."

"If you could become a dragon, would you?" Allen asked

"I...I know not! I mean, it would be so very nice to be able to fly away from the bullies, but-" he shook his head. "Why are you asking me all this?" He looked at his father, heart pounding. "You do not like dragons father, why would you ask if I wish to be one, to become something you hate so very much?"

Allen closed his eyes, taking a sudden breath. "I...I don't hate dragons Ryan; never, ever think that," he said in a tight voice.

They were quiet long enough that Ryan's heart started to pound harder, a cold knot forming in his belly. Beth finally turned to him. "Ryan....Ryan, you're not human."

"What?" he said, startled

"You're not human, Ryan," Allen said "You're a dragon."

Ryan burst out laughing "Oh that is so very funny! I am sick and you are playing jokes?"

"Ryan, you're not making this any easier," Beth said in a choked voice.

Ryan looked at her then back at his father. "Stop this," he whispered. "This is so very foolish. There is no such thing as dragons and I am as human as you are."

Allen went to get another glass of water, pulled a bottle from the case, and poured the contents into the glass, swirling them around. "Here. Drink this," he said handing it to Ryan

"Why?" Ryan said, drawing back

"Just drink it."

"Father, I am not so very--"

"Ryan, just drink it! Now!" Allen nearly barked.

"Allen, please," Beth said, voice shaking.

Ryan flinched as he took the glass with shaking hands and downed the drink. It tasted faintly of citrus. He looked at his parents and they watched him nervously. He sighed. "Was that supposed to make me a dragon or something? Does not look like it worked so very well, did it?"

"Ryan, get off the couch and onto the floor, please," Beth asked

"Why? So when I become this mighty dragon I will not break the couch?" Ryan said sarcastically.

"Ryan, please!"

He sighed and slid off onto the floor, feeling a little dizzy. They all stood around in silence for a time and Ryan finally burst out "Oh, look at me! I am a dragon! I feel so very dragon like!" He looked around "See any maidens about? I am so very hungry!"

He glared at his parents and they simply watched nervously. He finally said "Nothing is happening," in a sing song voice. "Now, can we stop this and-" He suddenly stopped with a cry and curled in tight on himself

He felt as if his skin was melting off him, as if he was being folded and warped into a new shape, though it did not hurt him at all. He cried out again as he lost balanced and collapsed in a heap

After a moment the dizziness passed and he sat up, feeling like he had never felt his life. Things seemed strange, his vision seemed off somehow. "Wh-what happened to me?", he said, his voice climbing in stress.

"We told you, Ryan, you're a dragon. You just changed forms," Beth said soothingly

"But that is not possible!" He said and lifted his arm and stared at it, eyes wide. His arm had turned into a blue and grey forearm of a dragon. He stared at it."Th-this is not happening. This cannot be happening to me!"

"Easy, easy, Ryan," his mother said, and moved in to cradle him. He lay his head against her, panting for a time. His father looked down and sighed. "Would you like me to get your a mirror? he asked quietly.

Ryan looked up and hesitated for a moment, then nodded. His father went into the bedroom to get a mirror and Ryan stared at his forearm, turning it this way and that, then chirped in amazement as his talons extended. He extended and retracted them a few times, eyes wide. He turned and ran them along his other forearm and winced. "Sharp," he muttered

"Stop that!" his mother said, grabbing his foreclaw. "Of course they're sharp!"

His father returned with the mirror and set it before him. Ryan closed his eyes, swallowing, and then looked up at the mirror

And stared. And stared. And stared....

Staring back at him was a blue and grey dragon, looking utterly stunned. He chirped in alarm, flaring out his wings slightly, then stopped, watching the muscles ripple in fascination. He darted his tongue out, instinctively, and made a started noise at doing so. He stuck it out again, noting that it was not forked. As he drew it back into his mouth, he found that the smells in the room intensified almost dizzyingly so.

He looked at his chest, noting that it was well defined, his neck long, muscular looking. His eyes followed down his body, noting that he lacked scales, following as his body narrowed at the waist

He flicked his tail about, watching it in fascination. It tapered to dull point with no spade on the end. Turning his gaze back to his body, he looked downwards where his hind legs joined his hips. He suddenly squawked in alarm and threw himself down on his belly

"Ryan, what's wrong?" Beth cried out

"I am naked!"