Author Games: World Seasons

Task Four - Oh So Grassy - Bonfire Tributes

Epethemus - note correct spelling - Ash:

(Have not received)

Fiametta Embers:

The collision snatches the breath out of my lungs with a greedy swipe. A choked gasp is released as I lean my head against the dusty ground. For a few seconds I wait to gather the dizzy thoughts scattered in the confused void of my mind. When I have waited long enough, I gingerly bring myself to my feet.

The grass now towers up above me as if reaching to snatch at a greater proportion of the sun’s heat. But they needn’t stretch that far. The sun is now burning with a scorching intensity.

“…Eppie?... Love?... Rubyn?...” My cautious inquiry weaves amongst the maze of towering shoots. But I am left with an empty reply of silence.

“Very fucking funny,” I mutter under my breath as a shaking hand reaches for the comfort and safety of a dagger. Away from the comfort of my allies I feel a shivering fear splintering down my spine.

I am alone. The horrific thought shudders across my mind. It causes my breath to rattle into the air in shuddering gasps. A second thought occurs to me and the implications hit with the force of a jab to the stomach. Eppie was taking a turn to carry the backpack. The only supply I have is the dagger in my hand. Alone. No supplies. Defenceless. If I die here there will be no one to hear my last words. That is the thought which terrifies me the most.

It takes a matter of hours for the burn of thirst to scratch at the back of my throat. It demands full attention of my thoughts. I can barely place one foot in front of the other without a scorching pain to sting and burn. The single tear that slides down my cheek taunts my longing for water. It barely reaches my chin before the increasing burn of the sun dries it. In exhaustion I sink to my feet and cradle my burning throat with my hand. Black spots begin to obscure my vision. My throat feels as if it is tightening with every moment. This might be death. Now when I snatch a breath it is accompanied with a slight wheeze. And even though it provokes agony I begin to speak words that have been silenced for far too long.

“Father… I’m sorry. I didn’t know what it would mean… they wouldn’t let me explain. I never got to ex…explain to you. It wasn’t cowardice, or betrayal. It was only ignorance. I will never ma… make a mistake like it again. And it is my fault but it was not an intention. I am so very sorry. I loved you and I will never forgive myself for it.” My voice has been reduced to a meagre scratching. But the moment the words are released a calming relief seeps into my bones. There would be worse fates than to die here in the privacy of the shade. I fall still.

The only thing to wake me from my delirious stupor is a sudden tug at my ankle. At first I attempt to ignore it. But a burn of suffocation encloses just above the foot. I bring myself to investigate. A root has snatched and continues to tighten. It has come to take me. Part of me considers allowing it to deliver me away. But I can do better than that. He would have wanted me to do better than that. My dagger slices the root and it immediately releases its hold with a screech of pain. Almost as if it’s alive.

With a flurry of panicked jabs I drive my knife again and again into the strangling root until it falls silent. Only then do I notice that my efforts have been awarded. The root bleeds fresh water from the inflicted wounds. With a manic urgency I press the root to my lips and slake my screaming thirst.

“It is going to take more than that to own my defeat.” My roar echoes into the abyss. But regardless of whether or not my announcement has reached the ears of others, I rise to my feet and proceed through the blades.

Blaze Conflagration:

Blaze rolled his dark eyes at Vivius.

“Cool story bro.” Was all that Blaze could say before getting hurled into the air. Blaze actually enjoyed ‘flying’ in the air.