The Interrogation

“What is your name, child?” Dragon’s rotting breath hit Mouse with the force of a truck. Her eyes welled up with tears partly from the stench, partly from fear. “Your name, child,” Dragon demanded.

“Mouse,” she squeaked.

Dragon smiled a crooked yellow-brown smile that made Mouse gag. “An appropriate name for such a delicate creature. Tell me, Mouse, where do you come from?”

“From beyond—” Mouse’s voice cracked. Her throat was so dry it hurt to speak. “—the mountains.”

“What brings you so far from home?” Dragon’s one good eye was fixed on Mouse.

“The sickness. I’m the only one left.”