RIVER DRAGON

 Chapter One

Despite the darkness that concealed the river bottom, a few wisps of full moonlight stretched down through the water and guided the way.  An enormous creature, sixty-five foot long, swam slowly through the brackish lagoon.  Yellow eyes searched, piercing through the blackness.

"Just one more time around this clump of river grass and I'll call it quits for the night."  Annie's powerful tail swished, propelling her forward.  Bubbles swirled past her nostrils then danced towards the black surface.  A turn of her head revealed sleek purple scales and a golden belly that brushed by a fallen, rotting palm tree.  She peered through the murky water.  "It has to be here.  She promised.  Why can't I find it?"  Annie felt desperate as she lunged forward with more determination.  Nothing but cold water and never-ending darkness.  But no cave.

"Not tonight," she said lowered her head in defeat.  "When will I ever find that entrance?"  A flip of her heavy tail spun her body around and she headed for home.

Stars twinkled in the pre-dawn sky as she reached the coquina rocks on the bank.  She gingerly climbed around four green hatchlings and settled back into her nest.  "Goodnight my darlings," she whispered.  She looked skyward.  "Goodnight moon.  I will await your return." 

The moon's reflection skipped across the water and Annie's gaze focused on the bridge across the river.  The sun rose and her glistening scales transformed from warm purple to cold sea green.  Her smooth body molded into a hard, permanent form as she stood perfectly still.

31 years ago, she was mysteriously placed on the southern tip of Merritt Island.  For 31 years, Annie stood statue still, watching over her hatchlings and the connecting lagoon of the Banana and Indian Rivers.  And for 31 years Annie wondered why she and her babies were motionless sentinels by day and Annie a real live fire-breathing dragon by night.  The people of Merritt Island had no idea the steel structure that held her form during the day softened and became warm and flexible after dusk.  Even Annie was clueless about this metamorphosis.

Annie vaguely remembered being placed on the island when she was very young.  "You must remain here until your quest is fulfilled," her Mother had explained long ago.  Annie could still hear her kind, gentle voice, "Your quest is to find the secret island ... the mystical land where only dragons live and which humans will never find.  Every dragon is given directions to this island and it is part of your life's journey to find it.  Then, and only then, will your children come alive and you will see your family again." 

It troubled Annie that her youngsters would not come to life until she completed her journey.  Determined to hasten her destiny, Annie rehearsed her Mother's directions over and over again:

"Where the Indian River is the wildest blue,
You must dive the deepest dive. 
A cave opens only to you,
And for eternity you'll be alive."

Her Mother told her, "If you find a small cave encrusted with barnacles, look carefully for a sparkling coquina shell at the top of the opening.  You will recognize it's purple and blue colored bands."  She continued, "By tapping gently on the opened shell, the entry will become large enough for you to swim through.  It will lead you directly to Dragon Island.  I will meet you there."  

Her eyes softened with a mother's love as she handed Annie a picture.  Annie held the picture close to her heart and tears fell from her eyes.  Her Mother spoke her final words, "I have faith in you Annie.  I love you and will see you soon." 

That was the last time she saw her Mother......