Drakie looked out at the passing city as Helen drove them to the doctor's office. He had never been in a car before and found the experience to be thrilling. He placed his front paws on the window while standing on his back legs on the seat. His tail was starting to wag from the excitement.
Dax was watching Drakie; he was concerned as his wagging tail was getting closer and closer to hitting his mother's seat.
As Helen looked into the rearview mirror once more, she saw Dax staring at the empty side of the passenger seat with a nervous expression on his face.
"Don't worry dear." She said, "This doctor's appointment is nothing to be afraid of. They are just going to run some tests and find out why your nanites died. Maybe even uncover the truth behind your nightmares."
Dax didn't respond as he was laser focused on Drakie's tail.
"Dax?" Helen asked loudly.
This snapped him out of it. "What mom?" Dax asked. "Did you say something?"
"Glad to have you back." Helen said with a smile. "I was just saying you don't have to worry."
"Oh, I know mom." Dax said. "I was just thinking." As Dax talked and reached out and grabbed Drakie's tail before it had a chance to strike Helen's seat. To Helen it looked like Dax was just grabbing air.
"We'll be at the doctor soon dear." She said, the concern for her son was clear in her voice.
After ten more minutes of driving, they arrived at the doctor's office. It was a large building made of red brick near the downtown area of the city. Standing ten stories tall it overshadowed the shops and buildings that surrounded it.
"Make sure you tell the doctor everything." Helen said as she parked and opened the door.
Dax opened his door and left the car at the same time, waiting for Drakie to escape before closing it. "Of course, mom." He replied.
The two of them walked inside the building and were greeted by a woman dressed in a skintight white jumpsuit with a tiny white hat upon her head sitting behind a desk.
Helen walked over to her as she was busily typing away at her keyboard. "We are here for my son's Dax's appointment. We should be right on time."
The woman looked up and glanced at the two of them and then returned to typing on her computer. "Yes, I see, please head to exam room two." She said as she pressed a nearby button. The double doors to the right of her slowly opened and revealed a long hallway with numbered doors on either side. "Someone will be with you shortly."
Drakie, who was flying next to Dax, instead decided to land on Dax's head.
He wanted to scold his newfound dragon friend for his chosen perch but could not figure out how without looking insane.
Helen started walking to the room, after she thanked the receptionist. Dax followed her, Drakie riding happily upon his head. As they went inside Drakie ducked down to not be hit by the door frame. Dax started moving his neck sharply from side to side as if he was trying to pop it, but in actuality his goal was to dislodge the dragon from his hair.
With every fast jerk Drakie would jump up only to return to his roost every time Dax put his head upright.
"Are you okay?" Helen asked. "If you are having neck pain you should ask the doctor when they get here. Might be connected to your other problems."
"It just might." Dax said, clearly annoyed.
A few minutes passed and two loud knocks came from the door. Then the door opened and an old man with a white lab coat entered the room. He had thick glasses, a balding head, and a clipboard in his hand.
"Dax?" He asked.
"Yes, that's my son." Helen said.
"Miss, if you could wait in the lobby, that would be great." The doctor said.
"It's fine mom." Dax said.
"Well, if you think you won't be needing me… I will wait in the lobby." Helen said, sadness seeped into every word. She then left the room.
"So, young man, I understand that you are having nightmares and that all of your nanites failed." The doctor said. "I would like to examine your blood and run a few panels. That should give me a better understanding about the nanites. I can also screen for any toxins that might be causing the nightmares."
"You need my blood?" Dax asked, his face went straight to worry. He remembered what the ancient book had said about his blood being the key to freeing the shadow lord and how the shadows could literally be anyone around him. "Isn't there anything else you can do?"
"Afraid of needles?" The doctor asked. "It's nothing to be concerned about, just a little pinch and we should have all the answers we need."
"Isn't there another way?" Dax asked.
"To do your blood work?" The doctor asked. "No, that's why it is called blood work. It requires… blood."
"I don't think it's a good idea." Dax said.
"Good thing I am the doctor then." The doctor said, "Just relax, a nurse will come in shortly to collect your blood."
Without saying another word, the doctor left, and Dax was alone in his room with Drakie.
"Drakie, are there any shadows in this building?" Dax asked. "Can you tell something like that?"
"Shadows?" Drakie asked. "Drakie sees lots of shadows."
"No, I mean like shadow monsters in disguise." Dax explained. "Have you noticed any? They look just like people. I thought maybe since you were magical you would be able to tell. Sorry."
"No, Drakie can tell." Drakie replied. "They have a black aura around them."
"And are any here?" Dax asked again.
"Yes." Drakie replied.
"Shit." Dax replied.