Fire
October:
Fire. I could smell it.
Its pungent scent burned in my nostrils, ash clogged up my lungs. I couldnât escape it. No matter which way I turned, I was surrounded by fire. They had made sure I couldnât get out; that I had nowhere to run.
From somewhere behind me, I heard a woman scream. I had never heard that particular sound before but I recognized it immediately.
Aunt Rosaline.
I whipped around in my fiery prison to find myself staring at my aunt and uncle, both being burned alive. The flames spread across their flesh as if theyâd just been doused with gasoline.
I lurched forward, driven by the need to save my uncle and his wife. I didnât even feel the flames as I ran through the wall of fire that had entrapped me. I needed to save them.
I screamed my uncle Charlieâs name as I ran towards them. I had barely even closed the gap between us when a large, smoldering wooden beam collapsed in front of me, blocking my path.
âNo!â I screamed. âTake me! Leave them alone! Take me!â
âTake you?â A cold voice whispered in my ear. âOf course not dear. Youâre going to learn a very important lesson tonight.â
âNo.â I heard my devastated sobs over the sounds of the roaring flames.
âYes.â A different voice spoke, sending chills down my spine. I closed my eyes tightly. Not the boy. Please not the boy. âYouâre going to watch them burn.â
I jolted upright, the scream instantly escaping my lips as, in my dream, I watched my Uncleâs house explode.