[ WP ] When everyone turns 18 , they receive a pet which is figurative of their personality . You 're the first person to receive a dragon ...

I woke up that morning like I did every other morning; I was disappointed. It was not at the world or in others but in myself. I had woken up again. I had to face the world again. I had to face my friends again. I had to face my father, my teachers, my role models, and my mentors again. Today though I had to face them as an adult. I would receive their gift. What did they think of me? To me, I was just a worm; a fly eating though shit. I had to though. I had to face them. I had to face them because my knife was still in my hand. Again. If I were braver, more selfish, or strong than that knife... 
 
 
 
 Downstairs everyone was waiting. Waiting for me. Why me? Why was the floor always this cold? Something as nice as marble should n't be cold. Should it? I'm wrong a lot so maybe it should. Happy face. Remember to walk straight, upright. This is the house of the lord of Weatherton. I am the fifth son of Reginald. What shines on me is reflected to my father. I must remember. 
 
 
 
 `` There he is,'' my father scoffed, `` The birthday boy.'' 
 
 
 
 `` Thank you father,'' I felt myself say as I bowed and went to sit in my usual seat. 
 
 
 
 `` Not today,'' father commanded as he put down his paper, `` today you sit opposite me.'' 
 
 
 
 `` Thank you father,'' I somehow felt even colder saying that. It was mothers seat he was offering. She was taken away from us. I remember that day because with her went all the warmth in this household. 
 
 
 
 `` Tims!'' father called as I sat down. Tims was our servant. He liked to hit me when father was n't looking. I was told to man up when I told father this but was n't really surprised at it. I was pretty sure father had approved it. What had father approved this day? The day I got my gift. 
 
 
 
 My older siblings were sitting around the table with us. From my father's position we sat clockwise in order of birth. Jackson, the oldest, had gotten a tiger from father and killed it when it did n't obey or for fun. I'm not actually sure on that one. Sophie had got some sort of house cat from the north. She was a beautiful creature, the cat. I had to look at it from a distance though because it was pretty wild and would hiss at me if I got close. May got dove. Father believed May was a dove. May was not a dove. Let's not get into why May was not a dove. Thomas got a pure breed greyhound, which he pretty much uses as a secondary income. What would I get? 
 
 
 
 Tims came round the corner behind father and brought my gift into view. Thankfully it was small, which was good as it would n't require much work to take care of. As Tims set the present down on the table I realized the box did n't have any holes in it. I said a small prayer in my head for whatever was inside this rather tiny box not to be dead. 
 
 
 
 
 `` Well open it,'' father laughed, `` I got it from one of as a gift from one of my contacts overseas and thought it was appropriate. `` 
 
 
 
 That was the first time I had heard father laugh honestly in a long time. For a tiny moment I felt a small warmth enter my heart but then I saw my brothers smiling as well. The warmth retreated back down to whatever cavern hope resides nowadays. They do not smile at my good fortune. I opened the box. 
 
 
 
 It was a dragon. Not a real one of course but a tiny little figurine made of metal. 
 
 
 
 `` I would have gotten you a leech but then that would have implied you were living. This was more suitable,'' father explained, `` I do n't think anyone has gotten an immortal dragon before.'' Father laughed at me and so did my brothers. My sisters did n't as it was improper but I could see May struggling to keep it in. Even my youngest sibling, Jasper, was laughing. 
 
 
 
 There was something freeing about that moment I guess. Something had snapped inside of me and I was free. I was free for that tiny dragon was made of gold. I was free for Dad controlled my finances but this dragon I could sell without trouble. I was free for I could go wherever and there I could finally be me. 
 
 
 
 I was free. 

