The pirate who found Dragon Little sleeping between 3 barrels of rum had her sword drawn out. 

Dragon Little ist the name I have lovingly given the human girl known as Joy Shelley. She lives in the dream with her father, who ist only there when he sleeps. And when he wakes, she ist left alone, and sometimes his dreams remain behind as well.

This ist what happened on this day, when Dragon Little was only 3.5 years old. She had remained awake most of last night, when Dragon Father was away. Then she seemed tired, even exhausted, during their adventure battling the Pirates of Forever. 

Dragon Father disappeared (woke up) long before the adventure was over. Little Dragon Little was in hiding, and, apparently too tired to fight, fell asleep. 

Three pirates remained behind when Dragon Father disappeared: Two lackeys and the leader. 

The pirate who found her had her sword drawn out. She put the sword next to the child’s neck. 

I stood up in my hiding place, where I guard Dragon Little. But even I would not be fast enough to dive and save her. 

The pirate hesitated. 

“Captain! Captain!” the pirate lackey yelled. 

The captain quickly came, her gun ready, with the second lackey.

“I’ve found her,” said the lackey. “Look! Can I be the one to kill her?”

I was ready again to dive. I am watching, just in case, and I try very hard not to get involved.

Jenny the Pirate considered it. “No,” she said. “We wait until the pirate returns. We’ll keep his daughter as a bargaining chip.” 

I sat back down. I’ve learned to trust her father’s subconscious that even when he is gone, the dreams he’d created would find a way to protect her. 

“Damn it!” the first lackey shouted. 

“Shh!” the captain said immediately. “Don’t wake her! She’s a lot of trouble when she’s awake!”

Dragon Little stirred at the noise.  

The captain nodded at the others, who joined in: 

“Shhh!”

“Shhh!”

“Shhh!”

The three evil pirates settled in around Dragon Little’s hiding place and made sure she slept well. They did so for hours until her father came to save her. 

—Told by The Red Dragon