[ WP ] Dragons exist on Earth , but humans are still the dominant species . Write realistic stories about how life would be different .

Kyra looked down at the metal box she held in her hands, and could n't help but feel disappointed. She struggled to keep her face neutral as she disentangled herself from the brightly coloured pink wrapping paper that the box had come wrapped in. The card did n't even have money in. 
 
 
 `` Thanks Uncle Rufus,'' she said, finally looking up. Kyra schooled her features into polite happiness and grinned at Uncle Rufus, who sat in the rocking chair by the window. Mother did n't like him much, because he refused to remove his muddy boots when he came into their house, and the tartan shirt he wore stunk of pipe-smoke and peat. He still had dirt beneath his fingernails and his red hair was tousled by the wind, beard straggly as a bird's nest. `` I really like the present.'' 
 
 
 She placed her hand inside the box and nudged at the small, scaled creature that was coiled inside. It was smaller than a mouse, tiny combs like a cockerel's lining the back of its neck and down to the tiny tail, no wider than a needle at its base. At her touch, the dragon stirred itself and turned towards her hand. Its eyes were blue as sapphires, flashing against the deep royal green of the scales on its face. Two stubs on its back were all that promised the advent of wings. 
 
 
 `` They grow,'' Uncle Rufus promised. `` That's a Scotch dragon. One of the last. I found the mother myself, after she'd birthed six of'em in a little bothy on my land. Almost burnt myself getting it away from her! Tha' was the smallest, thought it'd be perfect for little Kyra here.'' The last bit was addressed to Kyra's mother, who frowned. 
 
 
 `` I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate for a child,'' she said. Her mouth had become a hard, flat line. Meanwhile, the dragon had nestled against the palm of Kyra's hand, closing its eyes and snuffling quietly. She had wanted a Pets Hospital, but as the dragon's warmth began to blaze against her palm, she realised she did n't mind too much. 
 
 
 `` I like it, Mum,'' she said. `` It's alright, can I keep it?'' A moment of hesitation. `` Pleaseeee,'' she whined. 
 
 
 `` She can come up to Jura with me if she wants,'' Uncle Rufus said. He was her dad's brother, not her mum's, and her dad was long gone. Kyra had only ever heard stories about the Scotch highlands, the dragons that walked the land: the size of cats, cars and castles. `` Over the summer holidays. She needs to get out of London, the air's no good for her round here, with all those cars and busses.'' 
 
 
 `` You can keep the dragon,'' Mum relented. She did n't look happy about it. `` We'll talk about Scotland later.'' She picked up Uncle Rufus' mug, frown still etched tight on her face, and swept from the room. Kyra lifted the little green dragon from the box and looked at her Uncle. He stared intently as the dragon scurried up Kyra's arm like a mouse, the claws like small pinpricks on her skin. 
 
 
 `` You got a name for her, lass?'' He asked. `` It always starts with a name.'' 
 
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 /r/Schoolgirlerror
