Melissa, a Pegasus, walked alone down the beach, following the train of flowers that served as a fence. She was heading towards the Chapman’s strawberry plantation, where she hoped she’d find Michael. She had grown up with the giant, and the two of them were close friends, odd as they appeared.

When she reached the small hill, she flew up until she saw Henry and Sandra taking care of the plants. She landed next to Sandra and greeted her. “Hello Mrs. Chapman, Mr. Chapman…”

“Why, Hello Melissa…” Sandra said as she looked up from a very big strawberry she was measuring. The fruit was almost as big as the anthro’s head. “What brings you here?”

“Actually… I was looking for Michael. He wasn’t in his cave,” Melissa explained. Henry spoke up. “You won’t find him here. He’s down at the river helping with the bridge”

“And Melissa…” Sandra added, “when you do find him, tell him to come over… we need his help.”

“Sure!” Melissa thanked them and flew off toward the bridge. Sure enough, as soon as she left the forest, she saw Michael Chapman kneeling down in the river, holding the new bridge while the workers secured it in place. He was wearing a pear of old jeans and no shirt. His body shook under the weight. He’s handsome, she thought. She blushed at that. Melissa recovered and landed on his shoulder. “Hey there, big boy. What’s up?”

“Hi Lisa… how’re you?” He said through clenched teeth. The bridge was obviously a little too heavy for him. He wasn’t very strong, and his body was very thin, mostly because the little anthros could not provide him enough food. It was all they could do to give him the little he got. But he has gotten used to it while growing up, so he never complained.

“Hey, giant!” One of the workers yelled at him. “The bridge! Hold it straight, you idiot!”

Michael frowned and lifted the bridge a little higher to where the worker showed him, straining under the weight all the while. “I have a name, damn it,” he grunted. “Why do they keep calling me a giant?”

Melissa laughed “Maybe ‘cause you are one?”

“No I’m not…” Michael said as he slowly let go of the bridge. The Risso took a deep breath and let his muscles relax. He got up and walked toward the beach. “Giants are monsters,” he said. “I’m not a monster…” Melissa caught the pain in his voice, and she didn’t answer. She thought of what they taught him about giants, what they told everyone. They told him that they were huge monsters that liked to kill her people, and that they ate raw flesh and kidnapped the islanders’ children. All those stories were nothing but stupid myths; she didn’t believe them as much as she wanted to laugh at those who propagated them. But they made Michael be afraid of his own kind! Maybe a trip to Dragon Isle would change his mind. She giggled thinking of how Michael would react upon hearing this. She could imagine him saying, “You gotta be insane! Go there?!”

“Hey where are you going? The plantation is the other way!” she asked when she realised that he changed his course.

“I found the most beautiful spot,” he told her. “I want you to see this!” Melissa felt the excitement in his voice, like what little kids felt at Christmas. He kept walking until he reached a small hill. Under that hill there was a small factory that processed what the thieves gathered. But that was not what he wanted to show her. In the distance, the beach was visible, and with it, the sun setting. A brilliant golden hue, with fiery-red clouds adding to the wonder of the scene. “Isn’t it the most beautiful spot on the island?” he asked, expecting her to agree.

“Wow… you’re right,” Melissa said as she drew her knees close to her chest and hugged them.

Suddenly, Michael felt the earth beneath his feet tremble and slowly give way. “What is going on Michael?” Melissa asked, worried.

“I…I think I’m a bit too heavy for this hill!” He managed to jump away just in time before the hill collapsed. He believed that all was okay until he heard the rumbling sound. “What is that?” He looked around the hill and was terrified when he saw the mass of sand heading towards the factory. He swore. “Oh, no… Damn it, no!”

He ran to the factory, but it was too late. Before he could have gone anywhere, the factory was already engulfed in the sandy avalanche.