Daevid truanted from school, withdrew into the protective shell of his bedroom, and refused to come out. He fantasized that he was lying on his bed of flame in pouring rain, watching humans waltz over him under brightly-coloured umbrellas: satsuma, olive, cherry, strawberry. While his parents tried to coax him out. He realized, many years later, when he was fully-flamed, that they were only trying to help him come to terms with his condition. But at the time he found their attitude patronizing, insensitive. Boring!
When would the old ever understand the young?
One day, in the early hours, he stole some cash from his dad’s wallet and ran away from home.
*****
He soon regretted his decision to leave his mum and dad. At home he was warm, dry, and well-fed, with a roof over his head. Now, he lived on the city streets under cardboard. The cardboard turned soggy in the pouring rain. Daevid lay slumped against the closed station wall: cold, wet, and miserable; his flame extinguished, tired and listless. He closed his eyes and fantasized that he was lying on his bed of flame, watching a human waltz over him. The human was tall, dark and shadowy, stooped beneath a bright turquoise umbrella. He pranced up to Daevid, avoiding the fetid puddles in the dark backstreet, and took his hand. Daevid smiled inwardly as the warm flush of flame spread through his body. As soon as the young man was fully-flamed, the human released his hand and left him in dream-filled sleep. Daevid would never meet the human again.
*****
Daevid fantasized that he was lying on his bed of flame, watching humans fly over him under their brightly-coloured umbrellas: satsumas, olives, cherry, strawberry, turquoise, lemon, lime. He raised his weary head, gazed up into the night sky, teeming with human fireflies, sparks of every hue, and roared. As he roared, his flame bellowed from the burning coals in his glow-red mouth, billowing clouds of acrid black smoke filled the air. Daevid’s big Welsh heart pounded with excitement. His flame lit up the dark sky. Humans danced with glee in his eternal warmth. His happiness afflicted humanity with hope. His delight overcame despair. Love replaced hate!
And Gwyneth, who was really a very naughty little girl, because it was way past her bedtime, drew back her curtain, and cried,
‘Mummy! Daddy! Look! It’s Daevid the Dragon!’
