FLASH FICTION CONTEST #9

Maybe it was the lack of sleep or Funnels dire need for a cup of coffee, but he broke out in a near manic laughter as he looked at the black silhouette of his new species. 

It was a masterpiece.

With its shiny red abdomen the shape of a spider and extra pairs of legs it was only just Funnel named this a Spiderclaw dragon, and it was finally alive. All Funnel had to do was open up the incubator and free his creation.

(FIVE WEEKS LATER)

Funnel paced around the Spiderclaws cage, casting questionable glances at the dragon and taking observational notes every now and then.

looks to be bored, he etched down, muttering under his breath, not too active. stares at me, alot. What's up with it? maybe annoyed..

"Stop calling me 'it'!" The dragon said,her voice full of protest, "I'm not just your experiment to--,"

"SILENCE." Funnel said, the clouds on his scruff turning dark grey as his eyes flashed bright white like a thunderstorm. (Funnel is a Cloudclaw, meaning he is a cloud dragon with powers similar to that of a storm cloud.)

The spiderwings mouth snapped shut and bowed her head, her wings quivering nervously.

How strange... thought Funnel, tipping his snout down as he looked at the dragon, her green eyes piercing through his soul. Her emotions are subtle yet so complex at the same time. She appears to be angry, saddened, and nervous all at once. wait, and how did she know i was calling her 'it'?

"You." Funnel said, "how did you know I was calling you 'it'?" he asked. could this dragon have some sorts of telepathic powers?

"I'm more observant than you think." She answered, "I actually care about dragons and their feelings, something I think you need to work on."

Funnel stayed silent for a moment, but suddenly began to scowl, "what do you know about being a dragon?!" Then he exploded, "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WENT THROUGH TO MAKE YOU?"

Suddenly, thunder crashed through the building,loud and clear. it ripped across Funnel's laboratory, and the spiderwing shrieked in fear,covering her head with her wing as everything rattled from the sheer force.

moments later Funnel proceeded to thoroughly check the area, making sure nothing had been set aflame, taking deep breaths to cool down. Then he noticed the shaking figure of the Spiderclaw.

for the first time..funnel felt something unidentifiable. sorrow? guilt? he couldn't tell yet.

"You better get to bed."he said after a moment, "this day has been...frustrating, to say the least."

He was too torn to say anything else. on one talon, he should be mad at Spiderclaw for being so...so ungrateful! On the other, he was almost..guilty for scaring her. But why should he care? He made her after all, she should be grateful he takes the time to consider her as a dragon and not just some experiment.
but does he really?

Soon after waiting for a response, Funnel turned the lights off and headed to his old house. not wanting to sleep the night in here with so many confusing feelings.

later that night the Spiderclaws' words circled through his head, over and over and over.

"I actually care about other dragons and their feelings, something you need to work on."

It basically haunted him. Maybe he should have been nicer, or at least apologize for scaring her. Funnel had been so caught up with the idea of this new species that he forgot it was a dragon with wants, needs and feelings. it wasn't some lab rat to be treated poorly of. that settled it.tomorrow, funnel was gonna be as genuine as possible and state his guilt and how sorry he was.

It was early next morning, the sun rising above the peaks as Funnel made his way to the laboratory, something he hadn't done in a while. Truth be told, Funnel had not returned to his house in a while.

"Hey, there." Funnel said, flicking the lights on, "Listen, I've been a..not so good dragon lately..I just.." Funnel sighed. Why did apologies have to be so hard?

"I'm sorry, ok?"

"I don't forgive you,"said the dragon, " I can't stay here any longer."

"Wait--" Funnel said, "How did you get outside of the cage??"

there was the Spiderclaw, standing on top of her cage, her wings spread out wide. for the first time Funnel realized her beautiful, bright rubellite red.

"Goodbye, Funnel." Spiderclaw said, ignoring his question. her head tilted towards the sealing.

The dragon took off, flying fast. Without a moment to waist she b-lined out of the 

laboratory, flying through the window.

"Please!." he said, "..don't go!!."

she cast one last look at him as she flew away, and then dived towards the ground.
Funnel gulped,deciding not to chase after her. Instead, he sat down and watched her silhouette as she went up and down,and all around.

"Goodbye, Spiderclaw." he whispered, "I'll always remember you."

Funnel let regret burn in his heart. He stared out the window for a moment, wishing the Spiderclaw well.