Heat and Soul: A Soul Eater Love Story (xKid)

~Chapter Sixteen~

I'm floating in blackness for a moment, but then a house forms in front of me. My first house, back in my home town... I start towards it, but when I get within a few feet, it bursts into flames. I back away, horrified, and feel the intense heat of a raging fire at my back too. I whip around to see my mother's prized rosebush. It sounds like it's screaming in agony. I try to dodge around it, but another house pops up in my way. The second house I burned down. I already know what's going to happen... Still, as it too goes up in sudden flames, I flinch and cry out. My parents stumble out of the house, barely recognizable through the flames. They start to scream horrible things at me.

First my father yells, "Murderer! Destroyer! You killed us! You destroyed our house! Twice! You're a horrible daughter!"

Then my mother screeches, "My favorite rosebush wasn't enough? If we had known what you were going to be, we never would have had you! Evil witch!"

I curl up on the ground, surrounded by fire and screams of agony, and sob uncontrollably. I didn't want these powers. I didn't want to destroy everything I loved. It's not my fault! I couldn't control my powers; I didn't even know what they were!

Suddenly, a voice breaks through the horror, "Ember! I finally found you!"

I curl up tighter, afraid that the voice is going to scream like the rosebush, houses and my parents.

"Ember! You have to let me in! Let me help you..."

The voice still sounds kind... I look up, still terrified of what I'll see.

"Ember, please!" It's Maka, "Let me through the fires! I can help."

Unlike in real life, my tears stay liquid in the heat of the flames around me. I don't know how to let her in. I'm as helpless as always. Maka steps closer.

"Don't come near me!" I shriek, "You'll burn up too! I've burned everything I ever cared about! I can't help it!"

She smiles sadly, "Surely not everything...? What about that pendant you wear every day and the boy who was holding your hand in the infirmary?"

Daemon's lopsided smile flashes past and his cute laugh echoes through the area, drowning out the screams somewhat. I sniff back my tears. She's right. He touched my fire before and wasn't hurt at all. He, at least, is safe from me. But, what about...? An image of Kid appears in front of me.

"I'm a Shinigami. I'm almost immortal. Go ahead and try to burn me."

I cry out as my flames surge towards him. But then I notice that they aren't hurting him either... He smiles triumphantly.

"This is nothing compared to the agony of being asymmetrical!"

Despite my terror, I find myself starting to laugh. Everything around me slowly disappears one by one: The houses, the rosebush, my parents, and lastly the flames themselves. Maka can finally reach me.

"Come on now. Let's get out of this depressing place, alright?"

I nod. The world shifts around me. The blank spaces that were pitch black before change to distant forests; the invisible ground becomes fields of flowers; birds flutter above and chirp happily. In the distance, a statue appears holding a lit torch. I recognize it as the figure from my pendant. Maka takes my hand and we float away.

I open my eyes wearily. Maka steps back, smiling. I notice that Kid is holding my hand again. I look over at Daemon then scan the rest of the group. They're all looking at me expectantly.

"Sorry I worried you, guys," I croak.

Everyone relaxes visibly except Kid, who continues to grip my hand as if he's afraid I'm going to vanish any moment. His expression is unreadable yet again.

He meets my eyes, "This is my fault, isn't it...? At least partially..."

I shake my head as vigorously as I can manage, "No, it was all me being stupid. I guess I need to open up a bit more from now on..."

Maka nods at me, "I won't tell anyone what I saw," she promises, "Tell us when you're ready to."

I breathe a relieved sigh. Nygus comes over and checks my vitals again.

Upon completing her check, Nygus says, "Well, she seems to be recovering. She'll need to get some good sleep tonight, though. Can she stay the night with one of you, just in case the nightmares return?"

Kid seems to jump on the chance to offer, "My spare room is still open. Liz and Patty don't plan to move in for another couple days."

I feel like I don't have the right to ask, but I do anyways, "Can Daemon stay the night, too?"

The boys exchange a glance. For a moment, I think I see sparks fly between them, but they're gone to quickly to say. Kid smiles gently.

"Sure. Anything to ensure that you get your rest tonight."

"I'll need a change of clothes, then..."

Daemon nods, "I'll need to grab some for myself anyways. I'll meet you at Kid's house as soon as I can, okay?"

He squeezes my hand one more time and leaves. Tsubaki and Liz help me stand up. I'm a bit wobbly, but I'll be okay for the short walk to Kid's. I glance around at all the great friends I've made in the four days I've been here. It brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes at the same time. Liz is the first to notice.

"Oh, are you crying again? Did we do something wrong?"

I shake my head and laugh, "No, they're tears of joy this time, I promise. I've never had such great friends before... Everyone would run away when I was having a bad day. Everyone except Daemon, but he was so far away..."

In the trek from school, it's slow going because I insist on walking by myself. One by one, my new friends break off to go to their homes. Liz stays with me until I'm safely sitting on the bed in Kid's spare room and Patty sticks with her sister. Kid goes to make something to eat.

"Thanks, Liz. You didn't have to be so patient. I know I'm a pain."

"Don't be that way," she replies. "I'm happy to help."

Kid brings me a tray of crackers and soup and he and Liz stay nearby to watch me. I'm reminded of times when I got sick as a kid and my mother would hover around me all day, sometimes calling off work just to stay with me. The thought makes me smile. I finish my light meal around the time that Daemon arrives with clothes. I'm glad to see that he remembered my toothbrush and toothpaste.

Liz chases the boys away and stays with me while I change. I make sure I keep a bra on this time... After I'm ready for bed and settled, Liz takes her sister back to Tsubaki's. Kid checks on me one more time, then goes to bed himself. Daemon sits on the edge of my bed, looking slightly guilty.

"Daemon...?"

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Can you stay in here tonight? In case I have nightmares again?"

He hesitates then nods. He says he would feel too awkward in the bed with me, however large it may be, and thus ends up on some blankets on the floor. Knowing he's there relaxes me, and I fall asleep almost instantly.