Jessa Boze

Paper Dragons

“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley...” At least, that’s what the first note said. It was the strangest thing. I woke one morning, as usual and began my normal routine. Coffee. Breakfast. Clean the dishes. Then I saw it. A tiny, perfect origami dragon, settled comfortably on my windowsill. As I got closer to inspect it, it suddenly sprang to it’s feet. Letting out the smallest puff of smoke. I jumped back, startled by the sudden movement of an otherwise inanimate object. The little paper dragon scowled at me, if you could call it a scowl. After a moment of silence and still, seemingly satisfied, the dragon moved from the previously unnoticed envelope he’d settled himself upon. A crisply folded piece of parchment sealed in gold, smelling of a spice I had no name for.