Alex Granderson and Max Token walked quickly to the subway station. “Come on, Alex. You’ve been dragging your feet all morning. We don’t want to miss the next train into the city, or we’ll be late for work,” said Max.
“Relax,” Alex responded, “we’ll get there in time.”
Alex rode the subway, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. Max looked at his friend. “Dude, you’ve got to chill out. You’re gonna explode before you get to the office.”
Max put a hand on his shoulder. “You know what you need? A vacation. Actually, I was reading up on Iceland, and I thought it would be cool.”
“Of course it would be cool; it’s Iceland, but I’d rather go with Betty,” replied Alex.
“Yeah, good luck with that,” said Max. “It has plenty of hot springs, ice caves, volcanoes, and, most importantly, beautiful women.” Max nodded as he spoke.
Alex rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow. “Now the last part sounds interesting. I guess it couldn’t be all that bad. I’ve never been to Iceland, and it might be fun at that. Two wild and crazy New Yorkers.”
“What are you, a Dan Aykroyd rerun on SNL?” Max joked.
Alex and Max decided to take their week-long vacation at the end of June. They packed for all kinds of weather in Iceland.
“You’re going to look like Nanook of the North with all those clothes,” Alex chided Max.
At the end of their nearly six-hour flight, Alex marveled at the landscape as their jet began its descent into Keflavik Airport. Blackened stretches of ground contrasted sharply with the blue North Atlantic waters.
When they exited the jet, they felt the crisp, clear air hit their faces. Max rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be fun. Let’s get settled in the hotel and check out a restaurant bar.”
The hotel room had a scent of lavender hanging in the air. It accented the teal-colored room. Max flopped face-first onto the bed nearest the window.
Alex laughed. “I see you changed your mind on the bar.”
Max rolled over. “Yeah, I’m too comfortable right now. Let’s order room service instead.”
“You won’t get an argument out of me.”
They visited some local attractions the first two days, and on the third day, they scheduled their trip to the Kalta Ice Caves. The tour guide gave her safety speech along with the history of the ice caves. Alex and Max were eager to investigate the caves.
As they walked in, “Ah, nuts,” Alex muttered.
“What?” asked Max.
“I forgot my gloves.”
“Nice move. And you’ve been giving me grief about all my clothes that I brought.”
“Of course, and rightfully so.”
Max looked at Alex and said, “At least I have gloves, and my hands will be warm.”
“Shut up, man. I’ll buy a pair at the gift shop.”
With his hands in his coat pockets, Alex moved slowly through the cave. The glacial ice had a marbled pattern of deep blue with striking black streaks of volcanic ash. “Wow. This is incredible,” he murmured.
As he walked deeper into the cave, Alex found a slight crevice he could fit into and decided to check it out. The ice in the crevice was mostly opaque blue and white, and he came upon a section that was more translucent.
“What the…” Alex squinted at this one section of ice that had a darker blue in the shape of something; he couldn’t put his finger on it. He took his hands out of his pockets and rested them on the ice to get a closer look without banging his head. As his palms rested on the ice wall, it seemed to shimmer.
“This is amazing; it’s not even cold. Hey Max, get over here. You’ve got to see this.”
As he stared into the ice, there appeared to be a slight movement, and Alex felt a sudden warmth on his hands. “Whoa!” Alex stumbled backward, slamming into the opposite wall of ice.
Max showed up. “What?”
“Look at this,” Alex pointed to the dark shape in the ice.
“What am I looking at?”
Alex pointed. “That dark blue shape that’s staring right in front of you.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s incredible. It looks like something froze in there. It’s difficult to make out what it is, but it appears to be just a little larger than us. Of course, things look different inside ice.”
Alex stood there, staring at the shape. “I think it winked at me,” he stammered.
“Geez, Alex. Here, take my gloves. Maybe your cold hands are scrambling your brain. Whatever it is, it’s frozen; it can’t blink at you.”
“My hands aren’t cold anymore,” remarked Alex as his gaze never left the dark shape.
“Come on, the tour is almost over. We’ll head back to the hotel and get you something to drink.”
Alex didn’t move immediately. He simply stared at the shape in the ice. Max grabbed Alex’s coat and dragged him. “Come on, Iceman.”
Their flight back was uneventful; they slept almost the entire trip and arrived Saturday evening. As they walked through JFK Airport, Alex noticed news coverage of a major earthquake in Iceland.
“Whoa, Max, look.” Alex pointed to the TV monitor, where CNN was reporting on the incident. A shiver shot down his spine, and he shrugged.
“Wow, that’s where we were.” Max remarked, “I hope everyone is okay.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Outside the airport, “It’s a bit cooler here than I expected,” said Alex.
They made it back to the apartment and readied themselves for the back-to-work grind. At the end of their first week back to work, Alex and Max plopped down on the couch. “I don’t know about you, but I just want to chill this weekend,” Max said to Alex.
Alex nodded and grabbed them both a beer as they watched TV.
Monday morning, an unexpected cold front hit New York and New England. Alex and Max were watching the news before heading to work.
Newscaster: “This sudden cold front has brought in cloudy conditions and near-record cold temps throughout the tri-state region. We’ll have an update in the evening, but along with the clouds, there have been sightings of a blue object flying through the sky. It appears visible between the cloud formations.”
Click!
“What did you do that for?” asked Max.
“We’re going to be late for work. Come on, let’s go,” said Alex.
“I wanted to see what the flying object is.”
“Later, let’s move.”
Before heading out, Alex opened the door to their balcony. The cold air immediately made his nose run.
“Man, it’s cold out. What are we still in Iceland?” joked Alex.
“Yeah, it sure feels like it. But at least you remembered your gloves.” Max chuckled to himself.
Alex didn’t comment; he just shook his head.
While at the office, several conversations were about the cold weather and the mysterious blue object flying through the sky. Betty Johnson, a fellow junior analyst, walked by the small group conversation.
“Hey, Betty, did you hear about the flying object that has been reported not too far from here?” asked Alex.
Betty replied, “Hi, guys. Yeah, I’ve heard about it this morning, but I’m busy working as you boys should be doing.”
Betty continued walking as Alex’s focus lingered on her as she walked away. Max noticed this: “When are you going to learn? She’s not interested in you.”
“Well, a guy can dream, right?” responded Alex.
On their way home, “What do you say, Chinese food tonight?” Max asked.
“Sure, but it’s your turn to buy.”
“Okay. The usual for you?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, spring rolls, chicken with veggies in brown sauce, and brown rice.”
Max headed to their favorite Chinese restaurant as Alex headed up to the apartment. It was still cold outside and felt colder inside, so Alex raised the heat a bit to take the chill out of the air. He hung up his coat and headed to the kitchen to get himself a beer.
Might as well start the weekend, even though it’s only Monday. He smiled. Beer and Chinese food.
Alex took his first sip. “Ah, that’s good,” he smacked his lips.
Clang!
A sudden sound came from outside the terrace. Alex choked on the beer he was drinking. “What the…” he muttered.
He put the beer down and picked up a frying pan. Alex slowly walked toward the sliding glass door that led out to their terrace. He peeked around the wall and moved closer.
“Nothing. I could have sworn I heard a noise out there,” said Alex.
He opened the sliding glass door to take a look outside. “Brr, it’s getting colder out here.” Alex then sniffed the cold air and furrowed his brow. “It smells like the ice cave out here.”
Alex walked back in and closed the door.
CLANG!
Alex whipped around, “WHOA!” He screamed. He backed away and tripped over the end table, knocking the lamp off to the side with a crash and landing on his back with a loud thud.
‘Felix sorry, miss first time. Fly back again.‘
Lying on his back, “What, what,” he stammered with the wind knocked out of him. Alex rolled over, got up on all fours, and then started coughing.
‘Alex okay?‘
Alex blinked and took in the sight in front of him. Perched on the railing was a blue dragon with red streaks on its legs and wings, running down its spine to the end of its tail. Glass-like spikes caught the light along his wings and spine. They also stuck out around his head, neck, tail, and legs, but what stood out the most was his bright blue eyes and his smile. It was about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.
He blinked several times. Still on all fours, Alex mumbled to himself, “This can’t be real. What’s happening to me?”
The dragon asked again, ‘Alex, okay?’
“Yeah, I’m okay, thanks.” He paused. “Wait a minute, did you just talk to me?” Eyes wide. He slowly stood. “Are you going to hurt me?”
‘No, Alex, my friend.‘
“How do you know my name?”
‘We meet in ice. You touch ice, Felix feel.‘
Alex’s jaw dropped. He looked down, brow furrowed, and cocked his head to one side, then shook it. “This . . . This can’t be happening. How?”
‘Felix not know how, but Felix find you. Alex, my friend.‘
Alex looked back at the dragon and was still in shock. “Ah, who’s Felix?” Alex asked.
‘My name Felix.‘
“Okay, Felix. Ah, why did you fly here to find me?”
‘Alex free Felix’
Alex straightened up and looked left and right. “I freed you,” he whispered. He thought for a moment, then his eyes shot open wide. “I remember when I touched the ice, my hands felt warm, and you blinked.”
Alex stared at Felix perched on the terrace railing. “How is it that the railing isn’t crumbling with you on it?”
‘Felix no weigh much.‘
Felix stared at Alex with his bright eyes, his smile infectious, and Alex felt himself smiling back at Felix. Alex heard the door open. “Oh, shoot.”
‘What shoot?‘ Felix asked.
“Nothing, Felix,” Alex raised his hand for Felix to stay there.
“Who are you calling Felix?” asked Max from the kitchen.
Alex walked into the kitchen. “Ah, Max. I want you to remain calm, okay?”
“Why? What did you break?”
“Well, I tripped over the end table and think I broke the lamp, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I want to show you something, and I don’t want you to freak out.”
“Freak out about what?” a confused Max asked.
“Okay, I think I found out what everybody saw flying.” Alex raised his hands in front of him.
Max stared at Alex. “What the hell are you talking about? How many beers did you have already?”
“It’s not that. Now follow me, and there’s nothing to be frightened about.”
“You’re crazy, but okay. There’s nothing you can show me that’ll make me scared. Let’s go.”
Max followed Alex into the living room. He walked between the couch and the kitchen wall and noticed the end table knocked over with the lamp on the floor. “What, you couldn’t pick up the lamp?”
Alex turned around, pointed to the terrace, and said, “Max, meet Felix. Felix, this is my friend Max. He was with me at the ice cave.”
Max was shaking his head, thinking, He’s lost his marbles.
His eyes moved to the terrace. “WHOA!” He ran to the front door.
“Stop, you wuss. I thought you said there’s nothing here to scare you.”
Max stopped as he was about to open the door. “That’s a dragon,” he said nervously.
“Yeah, it followed us here. Remember when I showed you the blue shape in the ice and I thought it winked at me?” asked Alex.
“Yeah,” Max uttered.
“Well, apparently, he got out of the ice and found us. He said I freed him.”
“What, are you talking to it?”
“Yep,” said Alex, “he says his name is Felix, as I mentioned to you before. Well, he says we’re his friends, or at least he said I’m his friend. You, I think, might be his dinner.” Alex grinned.
“What!?”
“Oh, chill out! I’m only kidding.”
Max walked back to the living room with Alex. “How are you talking to it?”
“Him,” Alex corrected.
“Him,” Max conceded, “but how are you talking to him if the sliding door is closed, and he’s outside?” asked Max.
“Good question.” Alex looked at Felix, and the dragon cocked its head to the side, still smiling. “You know, Felix, you are the happiest dragon I’ve ever met.”
“Excuse me,” Max asked, “how many dragons have you met?”
“Okay, I guess it came out wrong, but he appears to be a very happy dragon,” Alex said, smiling.
‘Felix very happy, find Alex. Alex is friend.‘
“Thank you, Felix. I am happy you are here, too.”
“He said something to you, because I didn’t hear a thing. It must be telepathy. Can you talk to me, Felix?” asked Max.
“Come to the terrace,” Alex opened the terrace door. Felix stuck his head into the apartment and blinked at Max with his bright blue eyes.
“Just place your palm on his forehead.”
Max hesitated but moved forward cautiously to the terrace door. Felix looked into Max’s eyes and smiled. Max couldn’t help but smile back as he placed his hand on Felix’s forehead.
“Whoa! That was so cool. My hand felt warm on his head.”
‘Felix like Max too.‘
“Thanks, Felix. Hey, I can hear him. I like you as well, Felix. What brings you to New York?” he asked.
‘Felix have new friends. Make Felix happy.‘
“You didn’t have friends back in Iceland?” inquired Alex.
‘No, Felix not have friend for long time.’Felix’s eyes drooped.
“Well, you have friends now, Felix. What do you eat? I’m sure you’re hungry.” Alex added, “Wait a minute, Felix, you have to be careful that you’re not seen out here.”
‘Felix blend in.’ No one see.
“We see you now,” Max pointed out.
‘Felix let you.’
“But they saw you fly through the clouds.”
‘Felix no blend well flying.‘
“Well, we have Chinese food if you’re hungry,” said Max.
‘Felix go eat fish,’come back later.‘
Felix lifted off from the terrace and flew into the clouds. Alex and Max closed the terrace door, looked at each other, and then started to laugh.
“Can you believe it?” Max asked. “We have a pet dragon named Felix. Wait till the guys at Goldman hear about this.”
“We can’t tell anyone about Felix,” insisted Alex. “If the word gets out, they’ll come and either try to capture him or kill him. But we’re going to have to figure out where he can stay, because it can’t be in the apartment.”
Max nodded, “We couldn’t afford the pet deposit.”
Alex chuckled, “That would be the least of our problems. Let’s figure this out while we eat. I’m suddenly very hungry.”
“Yeah, me too. Especially for fish,” remarked Max.
They spoke about Felix while eating and decided that Felix could hide out on the roof of their apartment building. Felix showed up about an hour after dinner, then Alex told him to stay up on the roof for the evening, where he would be safe. The next morning, Alex and Max let Felix know they needed to go to work and would see him later.
‘Felix come work with you?‘
“Sorry, Felix,” Alex started. “It’s not a good idea for you to come to work with us. For one, you’d be seen, and two, because you wouldn’t be able to fit in the office building.”
Felix blinked at them, his eyes drooping slightly, and his smile faded.
“Don’t worry, Felix,” said Alex. “We’ll be home soon, so hang out on the roof, and we’ll see you later.”
Before Felix flew back up to the roof, he looked at the sky and the increasing cloud coverage.
“Damn, it’s colder than yesterday,” said Alex.
The talk around the office centered on the blue object that had been seen again, which appeared to have wings. Even Betty was in on the discussion this time, while Max and Alex were trying to get everyone to shrug it off.
Betty stopped at Alex’s cubicle. “So what’s up with you? Yesterday you were all in on this thing, yet today you’re like someone else?”
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alex said, looking away. “I should get back to work.”
“Oh, no, you don’t, mister. You’ve been dying to talk to me since you joined the firm. Now, you’re going to blow me off. What gives?” pestered Betty.
Alex turned his attention back to his files on his desk. Betty crossed her arms, her lips tight and turned downward. “You know something, and I’m not leaving here until you tell me.”
Alex swiveled his chair back to face Betty. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Okay. Then you can join Max and me after work for dinner at our apartment. What do you like to eat?”
“I’m not going with you guys to your place.”
“If you want to find out, you will.” Alex swiveled back to his work on his desk.
Betty didn’t answer; she just walked away. Alex shared the exchange with Max. “You were taking a chance on sharing it with her. What if she can’t keep a secret? You’re the one who didn’t want this to get out.”
“I know,” Alex muttered.
“It tells me you’ll do anything to have a date with her.”
Alex didn’t respond, but went back to work. At the end of the workday, they headed home. “Damn, this weather’s crazy,” said Max.
Before Alex could respond, they heard a voice from behind them, “Hey, wait up.”
They turned around to see Betty jogging to catch up. When she caught up, “Good thing I brought sneakers to change into. Jogging in heels is not recommended.”
“So, you’ve decided to join us,” said Alex. A small white cloud appeared after each word that vanished in the wind.
“I don’t like it,” argued Max.
As they continued to the subway and then to their apartment, Max conceded. “Fine,” Max muttered. “But if this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”
When they entered the apartment, they removed their coats; Alex hung Betty’s coat.
“Okay, so tell me,” ordered Betty.
“Actually,” said Alex, “I’m going to show you, but you have to remain calm and have a seat on the couch.” Alex and Max smiled, which made Betty feel nervous.
“Are you guys crazy?” Betty asked.
“No,” Alex said, “just give me a minute to call him down.”
“Call whom?”
Alex opened the terrace door, and a blast of cold air rushed in. “Brr, Felix!” Then he closed the door again.
“Who’s Felix?” Betty asked.
CLANG!
Betty jumped up and screamed, backing away from the terrace and standing behind Max. “Easy, you’ll frighten him,” said Max.
‘Alex and Max back. Felix happy.‘
“We’re happy to see you, too, Felix. We brought a friend of ours for you to meet. Felix, meet Betty.”
Felix blinked; his blue eyes sparkled. He cocked his head and smiled. Betty stared at Felix. She was afraid, but slowly inched forward.
“If you want to speak with him,” Max added, “you have to touch his forehead. It creates a connection. I did it.”
Alex opened the door, and Felix stuck his head inside. Alex gave Felix a hug, and Felix closed his eyes and cooed. Betty slowly moved toward them. She moved her hand reluctantly until she placed her palm on his forehead. Felix smiled at her touch.
Betty felt a vibration. “Is he purring?”
“Feels that way. He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.”
‘Thank you, Betty.‘
Her eyes opened wide. “I heard him,” said Betty. “You’re welcome, Felix.”
While Betty petted and chatted with Felix, Max ordered pizza.
“Felix, do you have a family back home?” she asked.
Felix dropped his eyes; a blue tear dropped to the terrace and froze.
‘Family all gone. Felix alone.’Felix lifted his head and looked around at the changing cloud patterns. He sighed.
“I’m sorry, Felix. Do you have any friends?” Betty asked mournfully.
‘Felix have Alex, Max and you now.‘
He smiled at Betty and nodded. When the pizza arrived, Felix flew off to catch fish.
“Won’t he get spotted?” asked Betty.
“According to him, no. He has a way of not being seen unless he wants to be,” said Alex.
They spoke during dinner, then Betty said goodnight to Felix, and Alex walked her home.
‘Alex likes Betty.‘
“A lot, but she doesn’t want to know him,” said Max.
‘No, Betty likes Alex.‘
“Really, how can you tell?”
‘Felix know.’
“Well, I’m not going to tell him. Let them figure it out on their own. It’ll be fun to watch.”
Felix cocked his head, and Max smiled. The next couple of days, while the talk about the blue object was still on the news, the weather became a concern. There were also reports of increased volcanic and earthquake activity in Iceland.
“You know, Max, those earthquakes started right after we left.” Alex raised an eyebrow as he looked up.
Max shrugged.
Each evening that week, Betty joined Alex and Max for dinner. She always found herself returning to the same question: how Felix had ended up imprisoned in the ice.
Felix’s eyes dropped every time. He would never speak about it.
On Friday, Betty once again joined Alex and Max for dinner, and Felix, of course. Max looked at Alex when he entered the apartment with a basket of 50 pounds of fish.
“Betty wanted me to get this for Felix. And yes, it does stink.”
Betty started cooking dinner. Alex and Max opened the terrace door, keeping their coats, hats, and gloves on. “Felix!” They both called. Felix landed on his perch, the terrace railing, and smiled at both men.
“Hi, Felix. We have a surprise for you,” Alex said joyfully.
‘Surprise for Felix. Felix never had a surprise.‘
“We brought you fish. Lots of fish so you can eat with us and not have to fly off for your dinner,” said Alex.
Felix nodded and smiled.
‘Felix is very happy.‘
“Dinner’s ready, boys,” Betty called from the kitchen.
Alex set up a table and chairs in the living room so they could eat with Felix. They all enjoyed the moment of conversation with Felix during dinner. Betty glanced up at Alex while they were eating, and quickly looked away when he looked up.
‘Dinner smells good.‘
“You can smell our dinner from outside?” asked Betty.
‘Yes, Felix has a good nose.‘
They all chuckled, and Betty glanced at Alex. “I cooked us fish. So we could join you.” She looked at Alex. “Thank you for sticking with me and introducing me to Felix. He is a joy to be around.”
‘See, Felix knows.’
“Know what, Felix?” Alex asked.
‘Betty likes Alex, and Alex likes Betty.‘
Alex looked at Betty and smiled. Betty turned beet red. “Well, of course I like him; he introduced me to you.”
‘You don’t fool Felix. Felix knows you like Alex.‘
He nodded his head and bobbed his neck and torso, all with a big smile.
“He is a character, isn’t he?” Max added.
Felix went back to eating while they cleaned up the living room and turned on the TV. A special broadcast interrupted the show they were watching. He stopped eating and looked up at the TV.
“Breaking news report: the continued drop in temperatures still baffles meteorologists. Record-cold temperatures, and now they are predicting a severe winter storm that could dump as much as 3 feet of snow in the tri-state and New England areas. They are trying to determine if changes in temperature, earthquakes, and volcanic activity in Iceland are connected to the cold temperatures. There are now reports that these quakes are reaching Greenland, parts of northern Canada, and the UK. The volcanic activity is apparently affecting the Earth’s core, and scientists have begun exploring ways to prevent a catastrophic global event. Will monitor the events and broadcast any further developments on the news.”
“Wow, did you guys hear that?” Max asked.
All three stared at the TV. There was an uneasy silence, and Alex glanced over at Felix. He wasn’t eating any longer, but staring at the TV, as they were.
Alex suddenly had shivers run down his spine. “Felix, are you okay?”
Felix was silent as Max and Betty looked at him as well. No one spoke until Felix looked away from the TV and at them.
‘Felix must go.‘
“What!?”
‘Felix must go back to Iceland.‘
“Why?” Betty asked.
‘Felix has a job.‘
“What do you mean, Felix’s job?” asked Alex.
‘Felix balances the planet. Must save Alex, Max, and Betty.‘
“Well, if you need to be in Iceland, then I’ll move up there with you. You’re my friend, and I won’t abandon you.”
‘No, Alex, stay with Max and Betty.‘
“Then we’ll all go,” said Betty.
“Yes, we’ll all stay with you,” Max added.
Felix blinked, and frozen tears dripped down his face. ‘Felix has good friends; always remember, forever. Friends must stay here.’
“Why, Felix?” pleaded Alex.
Felix must go back into ice. Friends don’t live there.
Alex straightened his spine. “Felix. Are you saying that you have to live inside the ice to stop the planet from having severe earthquakes and volcanoes?”
Felix nodded. ‘Felix, go now before it’s too late.‘
Alex quickly moved to the terrace, opened the door, and hugged Felix. Max and Betty joined him. Betty’s sobbing was the only sound other than the icy wind. Felix curled his neck around them for nearly a minute. He then straightened up, pushing Alex, Max, and Betty off his neck. Without another word, Felix lifted skyward.
They stood on the terrace, watching Felix disappear into the clouds. “It’s not fair,” muttered Alex. “He has to live his life, frozen in the ice, alone. It’s just not fair.”
The three friends went back inside and sat silently on the couch. Betty leaned into Alex, and he placed his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder. No one spoke.
There was a hollowness in the living room since Felix flew back to Iceland. None of them could bring themselves to speak. The apartment no longer felt like home.
Monday morning, back at Goldman Sachs, all their colleagues were rejoicing over how the weather had returned to normal. Planning trips to the beach, while Alex, Max, and Betty sat quietly together.
A colleague asked, “What’s up with you guys? The weather’s beautiful.”
“We lost a great friend over the weekend.” Was all that Alex would say.
A year later, the three of them ventured to Iceland and walked the Kalta Ice Caves together, searching every crevice for Felix. They held their hands on the ice, hoping he might feel them.
Deep within the glacier, Felix smiled.