The Time Dragon

Photo by: Jade M. Wong

Peg saw the dragon the first time when her mother gave the clock to her. She was frightened at first, but then it began speaking to her.

“I’m a Time Dragon,” it said.

“You keep time?” she asked.

“Close. I remove danger in those times when you need me.”

Years went on. The bad apple she ate could’ve poisoned her, but she wasn’t harmed. A day later an apple appeared at the 3 o’clock position on the clock. Peg knew, the Time Dragon removed that danger. She crashed her bicycle at 13 years. Broken bones had been possible, but she escaped with only scratches. A bicycle appeared at 7 o’clock on the Time Dragon’s clock.

In college, Barry seemed a good boy. He was never late for a date, and always brought her home on time. Peg trusted him, but when Peg got pregnant, Barry disappeared.

Peg finished her degree with difficulty. College and child-rearing are competitors for time. She got a good job and rose swiftly through the ranks. Soon she became company president and earned a six-figure salary. Barry reappeared, wanting her back. Just as quickly, he stopped calling.

“Who’s that man in the clock?” said Mitchell, Peg’s son.

The man in the dragon clock kept hours with his arms, minutes with his legs, seconds with…well, he appeared in great pain.

“That’s your Dad,” smirked Peg.

“Why is he keeping time?”

Peg scowled at the clock. “That’s all he’s good for.”
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Written for Sunday Photo Fiction: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/sunday-photo-fiction-april-16th-2017/