Liam Perrin

He squared his shoulders, set his jaw, and clenched his fists. This time. THIS time would be different. This time ALL of the parachutes would deploy.

He stepped out the door.

It perched atop the hill outside of town. A perfect field of tall, golden grass swayed beneath it.

It shifted. Glossy scales scraped like metal sheets. Sun glinted off sharp ridges. Steam curled from charred nostrils. Slowly, with its gaze fixed on Liam, it raised one massive talon.

Liam swallowed.

“Hello,” it said. And waved.