When the Sun Sets on You

Chapter VI: Flicker

The very fabric of reality warped against my touch as adrenaline coursed through me. The moments past was all but a blur. My hands slid down a cold steel railing, which trailed along like a serpent. Lone Pine's hallways echoed in sadness against my hurried steps.

As I passed stairs leading to a basement, I felt myself slow. Small cries trickled upwards from the darkness. At first, I thought that I was imagining it, though the closer I stepped the more I became sure. It sounded like a young boy, doing his best to not be heard. He painfully reminded me of a version of myself that I was trying to forget. Though I was only just him days ago.

I see now that Lone Pine was full of a thousand stories like Astraea's.

Running again, I broke out through the fire escape into the open heat. Dry grass rustled in the wind outside, a hint of kindling in the air.

Now hidden under the shadow of one of the classroom blocks, I clasped onto the lighter like I was caught in a blizzard. It served as my only light as I braved the storm. Its small flame carried dancing sparks past my vision. I fed it sticks and leaves, though it was always hungry for more.

I let the flame go out, passing the lighter over in my hands.

'God, why am I doing this again?' I ran my hands through my hair. The tightness in my chest had faded, and I took a deep breath. 'This crap is the whole reason I'm in this mess.'

Why was it that I found fire to be so spiritual? I knew that it wasn't magic, yet it made me feel invincible. My heart soared at the thought.

'So, you are the next descendant of mine to carry on the flame.' The man from my dream had boomed. His words striking me hard.

Without thinking, I lit the fire again, letting my fingers drift close. Wanting to take it in the palm of my hand. To let it settle, to meld against my skin.

No, you've been burned before. You know what happens when you try to grasp it. You're delusional again. I told myself, pulling back. It was all just a stupid dream, a figure of speech.

'What am I doing?' I snapped out of my trance.

Then a shadow started to grow over me, my hairs standing on their ends.

'I was wondering the same thing.' I hesitated to turn, seeing a brawny figure lean forward.

'Tsk, tsk, tsk.' The man clicked his tongue in disappointment. His bald head glistened in the afternoon light. 'It's your first day too, and you already have contraband?' A flicker of anger began in my gut, rising to my throat.

This was it, the feeling I had been seeking. It's what I had felt this morning, when I was certain my father would not shoot me. When I did my darndest to take back my life. Like this, I can face anything this world can throw at me. I am already at my rock bottom, if these people wanted to take me for all I've got. If they wanted to squeeze the life out of me. Well, they were welcome to try.

I rose to my feet, glaring through my brow.

'Rack off. Try and take it then.' I buried the lighter in my fist, dripping with sweat.

'No respect either, guess we're going to have to work on that.' The man cocked his head. Then he lunged, going straight for the lighter.

Though my reflexes kicked in again, I boldly slammed my fist against his cheek. Skin blistering past his stubble. The teacher recoiled, almost shocked. A large mark forming on his face.

'Fine then,' he slid a long cane from his belt, 'You want to play dirty kid?' This is when he began to swing his weapon wildly. I managed to avoid the first few, until my back hit a brick wall. With a split-second choice I dove under his arm. Attempting to run, though it only took a few seconds for me to be tackled. The man easily grabbing the lighter from me. The white plastic almost seemed warped to my fingers.