FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Two Years Ago, 2008

I was in the kitchen at Joanna Stanton's house, making food for her. I haven't seen her for the past few days. I think today is the perfect day to visit her.

I was making her favorite, chicken soup. I never really did mind making her something to eat every now and then. Especially chicken soup, she LOVES chicken soup.

When I was done making the food, I put some of the soup in a bowl. I picked it up, trying not to burn myself, it's hot! I carried it to her in the living room. She was watching TV's Survivor.

I laid the bowl of soup in front of her and smiled down at Joanna, who is sitting in her chair, "Soup's ready."

Joanna looked up at me and said, "Thanks, Wayne. What would I do without you?"

I giggled and shrugged, "Live in a lonely old house, with no one to talk to, that's what you would do without me."

She rolled her eyes, "Ahhh, kid. You're too much." She giggled and took the bowl of soup from the table and put it in her lap. She used the spoon that's in the soup and took the first bite from it. She hummed in delight, "Delicious."

I laughed, "Well maybe I should be a cook, that's probably my specialty."

She frowned at me, "I thought you were still in that band of yours?"

I nodded, "Well I am. But I don't think this record deal thing is working out."

"Why?"

I sighed, "Cause Gabe, my bandmate, is letting the pressure get to him. He's planning to leave the band. I mean, give me a break! All of my friends, except for Gabe, are not letting the pressure get to us, so what's the freakin deal?"

Joanna shrugged, "I don't know, but hey maybe things will work our in a heartbeat."

I had a sad look on my face and sighed, "I don't know, Joanna. I just don't see it working out. It's...So hard." Then I sat down on the couch next to her, "I mean...." I trailed off and let out a frustrated sigh.

Joanna gave me a concerned look and said, "It's not Gabe who's leaving the band, is it?"

I shook my head, "No, actually, it's me."

She dropped the spoon in her soup in shock and then she put the soup on the table. She got up from her chair, turned the TV off and sat down beside me. Joanna put a comforting hand on my shoulder and asked, "Wayne...Talk to me. What's wrong?"

I sighed, but I didn't say anything to her.

She shook me a little, "Wayne, please. You know you can tell me anything. You know me, I'm your best friend. I've known you since you were little. Now please, talk to me. What's the problem?"

I sighed again, but then I started, "Joanna....I don't think I can do it."

She tilted her head, "Why?"

I looked at her, "Because...I just don't think I can do it. I mean...I thought I could do it, but I just don't believe it. Do you know how hard it is to be successful in a band? It's really hard. Not to mention that all of my bandmates don't believe in it as well. And...That's not the only thing that's bothering me."

Joanna asked, "What?"

I answered, "My...Parents don't believe in me. I mean, come on they have saw me sing before, but it's just that my bandmates are not very PROFESSIONAL, as mom would say it. I doubt that's the case, but they say that it is. They think I should disband the band and be a lawyer. You know, just like dad."

Joanna sighed and said, "Now Wayne, you know better than to think that way. I don't think you should just give up. You haven't even sent the demo cd to the manager at the record place or whatever you call it."

I corrected her, "Record station. That's where they record your songs."

She waved me off, "THE point is, you can't just give up because someone tells you to, not even your mom and dad. I've seen you sing before, and I think you're a natural."

I got up from the couch and said, "But I don't know IF I can do it! I've performed at the school before, but in front of a live audience. Or at a concert...That's different. I feel like I have total stage fright. And it just frustrates me!"

Joanna had a sad look and then she got up from the couch to stand in front of me, "Wayne...Have you thought about it? Is it really your choice?"

I sighed, "I can't control it, Joanna. I'm trying to ignore it, but I can't. Maybe I'm...Not cut out for it. And even if I did quit the band, I...Don't know what I really want to do."

She shook her head, "Wayne...Do you remember what I've told you before?"

I stared into her eyes and asked, "What?"

She smiled and answered, "Don't stop believin'. I was like you before, I didn't know what I want in my life as well, even after I left my asshole husband. But you want to know something else? I never gave up, I thought I wanted to, but I never did. Cause I didn't stop believing in myself."

I said, "But-"

She put a finger to my mouth, "But nothing Wayne. Who cares what your parents say! Who cares what anyone says! What about what you want?"

I just stared at her.

She put both her hands on my shoulders, "You know Steve Perry as well as I do, what would Steve Perry think? He never gave up before he had his first success with Journey. That's why the band became a success, because they didn't stop believing in themselves. I know you, Wayne, you never gave up when you started the band. And you shouldn't start giving up now. So why start now?"

After she said all that, I asked, "You really believe in me?"

She used one of her hands to stroke my hair, "I've always believed in you. You know you're like a son that I've never had. And I love you."

I finally smiled at her, "I love you too, mom."

She giggled, "Now you know I'm not your mom."

I shook my head, "Honestly, I don't care. You're better than my mom anyways. She doesn't believe in me."

Joanna shook her head as well, "She DOES believe in you. She's just having a hard time picturing it. Trust me, I've known her since we were little, she'll come around. Just give it some time, and remember don't let what anyone says get you down. Cause if anyone doesn't believe in you, then to hell with them! If anyone tries to stop you, then to hell with them for doing that!"

I still smiled at her and then I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her, "You're right. You're absolutely right. I won't let it happen, cause I'll be doing it for you."

She returned the hug and asked, "Don't stop believin'?"

I pulled away and gave her a smile, "Don't stop believin'."

Joanna nodded, "Good." Then she started coughing, a hoarse cough.

I gave her a concerned look. She has been coughing like that for months, I thought she would be feeling better. I put my hand to her shoulder and said, "We should do something about that cough."

She waved me off, "Oh I'm fine, really."

I frowned, "Are you sure? You have been coughing like that for four months. I thought you would feel better by now."

She gave me a comforting smile, "I'm fine. Trust me."

I looked into her eyes and I finally sighed, "Well...Alright." Then I pointed my finger at her, "But if it doesn't go away in the next week, I'm taking you to the doctor, no exceptions."

Joanna rolled her eyes, "Oh alright." Then she picked up her lighter to have a smoke.

I gestured my hand to her, "It's probably the cigarettes that are making you cough, maybe you should stop."

Joanna shrugged, "And here I thought that I was looking out for you." She laughed and then she lit her cigarette.

I giggled as well and said, "Look I need to get going, I need to go to the grocery store to pick up milk for mom, we're out."

Joanna smiled and said, "And you will send that demo cd, will you?"

I nodded, "I will, I promise."

Joanna nodded as well, "Good."

I looked at her for a moment and then I went to the front door of her house. Before I left, I whirled around and went to Joanna. I gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, "I love you."

She smiled at me, "I love you too."

I grinned at her and then I went to the front door and left the house.

When I stood out on the front porch, I smiled to myself.

Don't stop believin'.

I won't, Joanna. I won't stop believing in myself. I won't.

*****

It has been three days after I've talked to Joanna. During those three days, I mailed that demo cd like I promised I would. Oh man she would be so happy.

I haven't heard from that record station yet, but perhaps I will soon.

So now here I am on the streets of Denver, heading to Joanna's house.

I wonder how she's doing today? I haven't seen her since three days ago.

I made my way to her house and finally made it. I walked on her front porch and knocked on the door. I waited for a minute, but no answer. Hmmm, perhaps she's sleeping again. She's a very heavy sleeper.

I tried the doorknob and realized that it wasn't locked. I frowned. She didn't lock it? I guess she forgot to. I'm sure she won't mind if I came in, after all it's the afternoon anyways. So time to wake up.

I opened the front door slowly and went in. The door creaked a bit. I closed the door behind me and then I started to wander in her house.

I walked to her living room and I could see that Joanna is sitting in her chair. The TV's not on. She must be sleeping.

I giggled and announced myself, "Hey, how's my favorite person today?"

She didn't move or answer.

I said, "Hey, I've mailed the demo cd to that record station. I haven't heard from them yet, but maybe I will soon, who knows really."

She still hasn't answered.

My face frowned. Wow she must be sleepy today. What gives?

I took a step toward her and said "Hey are you ok?" I took another step toward her, "Joanna?" I walked until I was in front of her, "Joanna?"

Joanna was still sitting in her chair, still not looking at me.

I asked again, "Joanna, what's the matter with you?"

I got on my knees in front of her and then I put two fingers to her neck, trying to look for a pulse.

She's...Gone.

I gasped, and backed away from her, "Joanna?!" I still looked at her and she won't move ever again. My throat started to tighten and I tried to form words, my eyes were starting to water, "Joanna...No...." I walked to her body and I started to wrap my arms around her body, hugging her, "No...Joanna...No." Then I started sobbing in her neck, "....No."

Joanna...No....

Her coughing...There was something wrong with her after all and I didn't do anything.

I...Didn't save her.

My sobs wracked my body while I was holding her.

Joanna...Don't leave me.

*****

Present Day

Me and Sierra were on our way to the Braveheart, before we would go on our trip to the caves or something like that with Cody and Neal.

I was still happy after our flight last night. It was...Beautiful. And judging the way Sierra looks, I really made her feel better. I even asked her this morning how she's doing this morning, she smiled at me and said, 'I don't want to kill myself anymore, Wayne.' That really made me feel so happy hearing that.

After our long walk through the dragon city, we've made it to the Braveheart. We could see that Cody was already there. He smiled when he saw us coming.

Sierra smiled down at him and said, "Well good morning, young dragon! You look happy today."

Cody laughed and exclaimed, "And you seem to be mighty happy as well. So Wayne, what's up with your friend?"

I grinned, "It's a long story." Then I grinned at Sierra, she grinned right back at me.

Cody looked at both of us and asked, "Ok, what's going on here? What are you two not telling me?"

I laughed a bit and said, "Lets just say me and Sierra were having the time of our lives last night. Nothing more."

Sierra shook her head and smiled, "Right, nothing more."

Cody frowned and said, "...Ok, well I'm hungry and I want to get ready to leave with you guys. If you're hungry too, then come eat with me!"

We both giggled when he bounded inside the restaurant. Then I looked up at Sierra and said, "So you ready to eat?"

She nodded, "Yep, are you?"

I nodded as well, "Yep, lets go." Then we both went inside the Braveheart.

*****

I asked the magenta dragon Joanna this, "So wait? You mean this gem that has been on that stage has been around for a long time? Where did the dragons find it?"

Joanna shrugged and said, "I know I have been around for a long time, but even I don't know. All I know about that gem is someone who lived in this city before found it on a mountain one day, SO many years ago. Way before you were born, hon."

After me, Sierra, and Cody had ordered our food and after we started to eat it, there weren't many customers today and Joanna stuck around to chat. It seemed enough of a perfect time to ask her about that mind reading gem up on that stage. The gem that can read our thoughts and picks out the song you're thinking and everyone can hear the music, while you are thinking about it. Also it can make your voice louder too when you're singing. That really does sound freakin cool.

Joanna waved her paw and said, "I really wish I knew. But I have seen it doing its work before. Ha, it even worked on me one time!"

I frowned at her, "Really? What was it like? What were you thinking about?"

Joanna thought about it and said, "Well...It wasn't so bad, it never hurt me at all. And what I was thinking, well I was thinking about waterfalls and everyone can hear the falls through the gem. Even I could hear them."

Cody giggled, "Sounds soothing. I mean, I know I haven't seen or hear a waterfall before, but it does sound good."

Joanna grinned at Cody, "Believe me young dragon, it is."

I asked, "Does anyone use it a lot?"

Joanna shook her head, "Well that stage is meant for entertainment. But I don't have many dragons here to sing what they are thinking. All the dragons do is think about the wind and or waterfall. Or maybe fire. No one hasn't used it for a long time, but the gem still works I'm sure."

Sierra cocked her head, "I think it's probably because we don't have the kind of music that Wayne and his kind has, right Wayne?"

I nodded, "That's the only thing I could think of. Dragons don't have the music like humans do, and that's why they can't make up songs. And also too, you dragons don't play instruments."

Sierra cocked her head at me, "What's an instrument?"

Cody and Joanna cocked their heads as well, and Cody asked, "Yeah, what's an instrument?"

I put a hand to my forehead and giggled, "Oh boy guys. You really got a lot to learn about my kind these days. None of you know what an instrument is!"

Sierra shot up her head, "So what? Just because we're dragons, doesn't mean we're stupid."

I waved her off, "Oh I know that!"

Sierra then grinned at me, "You know what? Maybe you should get on the stage. Since you have a good memory maybe I want to hear the music that's in your brain. After all you really are a good singer. I know, I've listened to you. You've sang 'Oh Sherrie' to me."

Joanna cocked her head at Sierra, "Sherrie? What's a Sherrie?"

Sierra giggled and said, "Lets just say it's one of the songs that his kind sings a lot. Wayne sang that human song to me the other night. And I've never heard of a human song before! Wayne also said there are like thousands of them! And there are lots of human singers just like him too."

I scratched the back of my head, "Well I'm not really one of them. I'm not paying the bills." I giggled.

Cody cocked his head at me, "Bills?"

I waved him off, "Forget it, pal."

Sierra then said, "Oh Sherrie is a song that Steve Perry wrote for his girlfriend or something like that. I don't even understand it right now."

Joanna cocked her head, "Steve Perry? Who's Steve Perry?"

Sierra shook her head, "Wayne outa tell you about him, he knows Steve more than me."

I smiled and said, "Steve's one of the singers from where I'm from. He's the best. But he...Doesn't sing anymore. Lets just say I can...Sorta sing like him."

Joanna then smiled at me, "Well I could use a performer, someone who doesn't think about fire or water or wind. I want really good entertainment here and I haven't had it here in a long time. For years! Maybe! So please Wayne, would you consider performing in front of the dragons here?"

I stared at her, thinking of an answer. Well...It's not like I haven't sang in front of so many people before. But they're not people, they're dragons.

Well...Maybe it'll be the same thing. Hell I mean, it's not like they would eat me if I don't perform well.

I finally came up with an answer and nodded, "Sure...Maybe I'll give it a shot."

Sierra smiled at Joanna, "You won't regret this, old friend. He's really good. I know he can do it. Wayne can think of anything."

Joanna beamed, "Wonderful, sweetheart!" Then she looked down at me and cocked her head, "When do you want to do it, hon?"

I shrugged, "Well me, Sierra and Cody here are going on a trip together, so we'll be leaving today. So how about...Later."

Joanna nodded, "Well ok, you come here when you're ready and then I'll announce it to all the customers. They'll love it!" Then she saw a new customer enter the Braveheart and looked at us and said, "Talk later, everyone, and have a good trip!" And with that she went to waitressing the customer.

Sierra smiled at me and said, "I think you'll do great, Wayne."

I grinned up at her, while finishing eating my food, "Yeah."

When all three of us were done eating, we went outside and Cody said he was going to head to his house so he'll tell his mother that he's leaving. Then me and Sierra went back to our motel so we could get ready to leave as well.

While we were on our way to the motel on the streets, I saw a face I didn't want to see. I groaned when I saw him in the distance.

Sierra looked down at me and cocked her head, "What's wrong?"

I looked up at her and said, "Remember the mayor's son?" Then I pointed, "Well there he is."

Sierra and I looked and saw the red dragon, who is the mayor's son, who also bullied me and Cody the other day, was walking toward us.

I sighed, "Ah the hell with it. Lets go." I turned around, but Sierra didn't move.

Sierra growled at the mayor's son, "I'm going to teach him a lesson, RIGHT NOW." Then she advanced toward him.

I said to Sierra, "Sierra, it's not worth it. I'm fine now." But it was too late and she went walking to him in fast strides. My eyes went wide. This is not going to go well.

The mayor's son stopped and hissed when he saw Sierra, "What do you want, human lover?"

Sierra growled and glared down at him and said, "You listen to me, you son of a bitch! If you pick on Wayne, my HUMAN FRIEND, ever again, I will fuck you up, and believe me just because I'm a female, that doesn't mean I won't kick your scaly ass all over the city! And I don't care if you are the mayor's son, I won't tolerate it! Got it, asshole?!"

He yelped after she threatened him and said, ".....Ok."

She shot up her head proudly and said, "Don't you forget it." After she said that, she whirled around on him, her tail hitting him across the face and she kept on walking.

I giggled at her when she came back in front of me, "Sierra, you're crazy. That was the mayor's son."

Sierra grinned and shrugged, "You would have done the same for me. Besides that, I don't tolerate this kind of behavior. Especially when someone's picking on you."

I smiled at her, "Thanks."

Sierra nodded, "No problem. Lets go."

I nodded and with that we left and walked away.

*****

Me and Sierra went to the wall at the edge of the city, where Sierra's best friend, the red dragon that I've named Neal, was waiting for us.

Neal beamed when he saw us coming, "There you two are! I was about to fly off without you."

Sierra nuzzled him and said, "Well you try not to be in a bad mood when you're angry at the mayor's son."

Neal cocked his head at her, "Why? What happened?"

Sierra answered, "He picked on Wayne a couple of times already, so I've told him off. Taught that stubborn son of a bitch a lesson."

Neal grinned and shook his head, "Wow, you really have balls."

Sierra laughed, "I always have!"

Neal then looked at me and asked, "So how are you doing, Wayne? Happy she finally stood up for you at that pretentious prick?"

I nodded, "More or less, I'm satisfied."

Neal then cocked his head, "So where's Cody? Is he coming with us or not?"

And on cue there was Cody flying up at the wall, "Hey guys!" He landed on the wall and bounded to all three of us, "Crap, you guys were already here?!"

Sierra giggled, "Yeah...You're late."

Cody stomped his foot, "Aw, but my mother just kept me waiting! But here I am!"

I smiled at Cody and then I asked Neal, "So are we ready to go?"

Neal nodded, "Yep I think we are."

Cody asked, "So how far is this place? You know the caves?"

Neal looked down at Cody and answered, "Well it's far enough away from the dragon city. It's far away from the mountains, I think."

I frowned at him, "Far away from the mountains? Well I guess we do have an adventure coming."

Sierra smiled down at me, "Yep." Then she lowered her body, "Alright Wayne, hop on my back and we'll be leaving."

I grinned at her. Boy, I'm going to be flying on her back again! I love it! I walked up to her back and then I grabbed her wing joint and hurled one leg over her side and got myself on her back. Easier than the first time getting on her back, I'll tell you this much.

Neal and Cody both had their faces wide and said, "Wow."

While I was sitting on top of Sierra, I shrugged, "What?"

Sierra playfully cocked her head, "Yeah, you're acting like you haven't seen a human ride on a dragon's back before."

Neal then just grinned, "Well what do you know? I haven't seen that happened to you, since Eric."

Sierra smiled at him, "Deja Vu huh?"

Cody then smiled, "So Wayne, how are you liking it up there?"

I looked down at my friend, "Pretty amazing! Why? Because I feel like I'm on top of the freakin world!" Then we all laughed.

After we were done laughing Neal said, "Well c'mon guys, lets get to those caves as far as we can today before the sun goes down."

Sierra looked over her shoulder at me and asked, "Ready, Wayne?"

I smiled and nodded, then I wrapped my arms around her neck and tucked my legs on her body, "Lets do it."

I saw Neal and Cody flap their wings and take off flying off the wall. Then Sierra started to flap her wings and soon we took off as well off the ground.

We all flew away from the city, I looked back, seeing that we are moving away from the wall.

I screamed in joy, "YAHOO!!!" Then Sierra, Neal, and Cody all let out a roar at the same time.

Boy mom and dad wouldn't believe this. If only they've seen this. Their only son riding on a dragon.

All of us flew away from the mountains, ready to make our journey for today.