So, just give me the basics,” she barked at him.

“I…uh…I…”

“Man up soldier!” she yelled at his face. A little spittle flew between her yellowed teeth along with a piece of broccoli, both landing firmly on his glasses.

His fevered brain couldn’t make heads or tails of what he’d just seen, and he certainly couldn’t wrap his head around why she called him soldier. They were both tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower on the same day. He had never met this gigantic woman before in his life. He regretted being the only English speaking person here.

He swiped his glasses off with the cuff of his sleeve, leaving streaks behind.

“Well, what do you think it was? What was that big boom just now!?”

“It looked--” he began not wanting to believe his own eyes. But as he tried to finish his sentence, a large shadow covered the clear blue sky. They both turned to look towards the heavens. His knees trembled as his worst fears were coming to life.

Was it the streaks of slim on his glasses? He hoped with all his heart it was. But he knew, with a sinking feeling, that it wasn’t. The misshapen shadow passed. Then there was an earsplitting screech, then deafening ripping of metal overhead.

He took a step backward only to trip on the coffee mug he had dropped at the large boom. The lady glared down at him and with surprising strength, pulled him of the ground.

“Come on, Justin!” she pointed upward toward the sky.

There, resting on the Eiffel tower, was an awesome, razor-toed, quarter-mile winged, fire breathing dragon.