Fire, Brooke O. [have you read this book .txt] 📗

Erin looked out the window of her small bedroom, filled with colors and precious memories. The small orange lights in the distance had grown into a full forest fire, bright and terrifying. She took a shaky breath. I’m ready.

She took feather-light steps down stairs to her kitchen, taking one last sad glance up into the shadows of the second story of her old house. I might miss this… just a bit.

The moment she stepped out the door, the thick, bitter air assaulted her. She took a step back, shocked slightly by the heat and smell. She closed her watering eyes against the stinging, knowing that the tears weren’t just from the pain of the fire.

She took small steps through the forest, being careful not to trip over any roots, and to keep her eyes down away from the burning. She heard the snapping of a branch, and turned quickly, eyes wide. She saw the wall of fire forming where the large branch had fallen, blocking her way out. She took a deep breath, choking on the air around her. I… I can do this.

She turned back, hurtling herself farther into the smoldering forest. She was suddenly forced back of step as a rush of memories came flying at her. Her and her brother running through the pasture with their dogs. Her father, holding her hand and walking with her, keeping her safe in the scariest times. Her best friend smiling and laughing… promising forever.

I can’t do this!

She looked back desperately, tears forming. I can’t leave… not now!

Ashes were falling around her, blurry against the blistering heat. Her lungs were burning, full of the poison that was killing her slowly and painfully. I…I’m not going to make it. I’m going to… die here.

She cried out desperately. They couldn’t leave her now… not when she needed them most. “Please!” She sobbed, leaning forward and hugging herself to give herself some fake sense of security. “Please…” She whispered quietly, “Please!” She screamed, tears rolling down her face.

The flames were moving toward her, the heat growing and blistering her skin. It hurts… please, stop hurting…

She took one more step back, and the fire took one more large leap forward, winding its way around her skin. Just when she thought the pain was going to kill her, it stopped, becoming a numb, nothing more than a steady throb throughout her body. Everything’s fading… the pain’s going away…

She remembered all the bad things. The moment when her little brother fell and couldn’t get back
up, couldn’t move. Never moved again. When her dad turned and never looked back, leaving her crying and alone. When she got the call that her best friend was dead. That she had taken herself away before anyone else could get the chance. Ruined her life before someone else could ruin it for her.

She doubled over, the vision of the pale face with closed eyes imprinted behind her eyelids.

I’ll get to see her.

Erin smiled with the last bit of strength she had left, looking up at the stars. I’m going to die here.

She closed her eyes. I’m done.

Fire.

Text: .....
Editing: It needs one... badly...
Publication Date: 02-26-2013

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