.A Spark From Before.

-15-

I felt my heart pull me two different directions, back home or back to Seva.

Each had things I wanted and things I didn't want to loose.

Am I regretting choosing my family? I.... I....

I shook my head, climbing back through the window.

"Where were you Skar?!" I flinched, I never heard my father yell like that.

I turned around to see not only him and my brother but a few other family friends gathered inside, all their gazes burning me.

Hate and fear in most of them, I did not change... I am still Skarla, the same old, nothing has changed!

"I--" "I don't care for your excuse!!" He never got this angry with me.

"I'm sorry,"

"Well that won't change a thing! She begged to see you! And you were nowhere to be found! You couldn't even do that for her! To be here!"

A cold numbness set over my body, an uneasy smile pulled itself over my face by itself.

"H-hey dad." I whispered. "Why are you talking like that? Don't speak like mom is dead. She can't die can she? The doctor said she wouldn't, that the wounds were just superficial.... Right? Mom is alright."

I stepped closer, hoping to glance over his shoulder and through the gaping door, to be proven wrong.

He shoved me in the chest, making me fall over a small stool, barely catching my balance.

"D-dad?"

"Get away from her, you have no right to see her after you made her suffer until the last second!"

"S-suffer?"

"She couldn't bare the idea you were gone! She--!" He didn't continue yelling.... Or if he did I couldn't hear the rest of it.

I stared in disbelief into nothingness.

Nothing like this would have happened if I had just....

If I had just stayed.

"She can't remain, she cause out town more pain then she is worth!"

Shut up.

"She should have never stayed to begin with."

I am still myself.

"How could you side with an elemental? Now she took your wife from you."

Please stop talking about me.

"I'll take her out myself, she is no daughter of mine to dare cause this much suffering!"

Just stop.

"I'll do it myself father, rest and gather strength."

Not you too Davis....

"Bear." I whispered his nickname as he wordlessly grabbed my upper arm, dragging me towards the front door.

He opened it and pushed me outside before closing it behind himself.

I tripped and fell, the snow that had started falling covering the ground and now wet my pants on my knees and froze my hands. it didn't feel nearly as cold as I felt from my father's words.

I stood up, facing my brother.

"I'm-" I started but before I could go on I was pulled into a hug.

"It is not your fault." He whispered, rubbing my back. "She was weak... Her heart couldn't bare the worry...." He continued, speaking against my hair. "But be strong, you cannot remain, they know I won't have the heart to kill you, you are my sister, you need to leave.... Now."

"Come with me bear." I know he was telling the truth but... But no...

"Ice queen.... Or should I now call you fire queen?" He let out a dry laugh with a forced smile, cupping my face. "You know I can't."

"You can! I can't leave my brother behind if I need to leave! Please!! Just this once!! One last favor!! For me!!" I grabbed onto him.

"Skarla..."

"Please... I can't lose you too... Seva is right... Gods she is right, you know as well as me that the Elite will come and kill everyone, everyone... She is right we can do nothing but flee... Please come with me... Come with me."

He tightened his hold on me.

"I can't come, I will just be a dead weig--" "If that's what you are worried about I can promise you won't be." I looked to the right.

"Seva?" I whispered, when did she come here? There is snow flakes gathering in her hair....

"Davis she needs you, I can keep both of you safe, you don't need to be apart... She is right, you can come with her or die here for nothing."

"Please bear.... Please..." I whispered.

"I..." I can't believe he is hesitating.

"I'll take her down to the creek, you have until sunrise to decide... Then we'll leave with or without you."

"Wait! Seva!" I tried to free myself from her grasp. "Bear!" I reached for him desperately as he didn't move, watching her drag me away. "BEAR!!"

"I'm sorry." I heard her whisper but I didn't care right now.

My whole world was falling into pieces...