Andy

You lived in a world where every teenager had a spirit animal. Wolves, snakes, eagles—the more dangerous the animal, the higher its status.

You haven't got anything.

Not at twelve, not at fourteen, not at sixteen. You were called a defect and a waste of time. Teachers ignored you, parents avoided talking to you, and classmates laughed.

"Maybe you'll get a rat?" smirked Andy, one of the school bullies. His spirit animal was a hyena. Not the strongest beast, but hyenas don't travel alone. He always had a pack of equally vicious boys hanging around him, ready to tear apart anyone weaker.

Andy chose you as his favorite toy a year ago. He pushed you in the hallway, hid your backpack, and called you names in front of everyone. You learned to be patient, keep quiet, clench your fists, and wait for the day to end.

But today Andy crossed the line. He deliberately provoked a fight after school, in the vacant lot behind the school. He knew you were defenseless. He knew no one would stand up for you.

"Come on, show me your beast!" he grinned. "A rat? A worm?"

The hyenas surrounded you in a ring. You clenched your fists, already preparing to strike.

And suddenly a huge shadow covered everything.

Someone screamed.

You raised your head.

A dragon hovered above you.

Real. Dark golden scales, amber eyes, wings that obscured the sky. The hyenas whined and backed away, pressing themselves to the ground in animal fear.

“But… they died out…” someone breathed out.

The dragon let out a low roar.

Andy looked from the beast to you, and for the first time fear appeared in his eyes.

"This can't be your totem," he whispered. "There are no such things."

You remained silent, feeling the dragon lean its head against your shoulder, shielding you.

And you realized: after this, everything will change.