Fire

Chapter 1

Every night it's the same dream. And every night I wake up with my heart racing and sweat pouring down my head. I don't get it. It doesn't make sense how someone could have the same dream every night. How long have I been having these dreams? When did they start? Two years ago? Three? 

A voice from a nearby room called out saying "Anthony, get up! We have school today." Right, school, that's what I need right now.

All of the "I's" and "me's" you see are me, Anthony Harris. The voice that yelled at me (to do something I already was, by the way) is my twin brother Jason. You see while was are both healthy 17 year old guys, we are not identical. OK sure, we're both like six feet tall, have the same dirty blonde hair, have a buzz cut, have blue eyes... have, well that's not the point. I'm different than him. A big difference is our faces. I have a bit of a V-shaped chin and a rounded head while Jason has a box-ish head. Oh, there are more differences. For example I have more freck...

"Anthony! What are you doing!? Get your lazy bum out of bed," screams Jason once again. Alright, I better get up before he drags me out of bed.

I went through my normal morning routine and headed outside into the crisp, cool, October air. A gray blanket of fog had rolled in over night, giving everything a more sinister appearance. Even the street lights seemed dimmer in the fog. It almost appeared as though My thoughts turned to what could be lurking just out of sight, but I dismissed it. I got in my car and drove my brother and I to school. 

Once we arrived, the day began. After learning equations and laws in Calculus and Physics to make Newton's head hurt I finally could relax in band. Once those classes where done the rest of the day seemed to go by quickly. After 5th period I found my friends, Bryce and Silena, and my brother so that we could have lunch together. We got our food and conversation opened with some interesting events that have been happening recently.

"Did you guys hear about the kidnappings?" Bryce asked with apprehension in his Asian features.

"What are you talking about?" my brother replied.

"Don't you watch the news? Three men have been going into to schools and taking three students." (I don't watch the news, it's too boring. And depressing).

Silena, while pushing some of her long brown hair out of her face, responded with "Oh yeah! The witnesses say they vanish after getting the students and while the men are there it feels like ice has been poured down your back."

"That's ridiculous," I counter, "its not possible for anyone to do that. If it were why wouldn't they use that in robbing banks or something?"

"Well everyone that was there had the same thing to say!"

"It just doesn't make any sense! Unless..." I stopped mid-sentence upon feeling the temperature drop. Suddenly a piercing scream echoed throughout the lunchroom All heads turned toward the front of the source of the sound and saw three men dressed in black, each carrying a gun. The school policeman was face-down on the ground in a pool of his own blood. Strange thing was that it didn't appear as though any of their guns had been fired, so how is the cop bleeding?

The lead man in black, who was taller than the other two, spoke. His voice had a cruel tone, as though he enjoyed the pain he just caused. "Good. I have your undivided attention. My men and I are looking for a few... special children. Now it would be best if you didn't make a scene. I would hate for you to spook my men and cause them to shoot."

The men causally walked through the cafeteria as though we were cows ready for slaughter. Jason and I looked at each other and we each knew what the other was thinking: We have to do something. But what? The men got closer and as they did I got the stupidest idea that I probably could have thought off. I stood up and yelled "Stop!" In hindsight, not my brightest moment. 

The dark men were so shocked to actually have someone confront them that they stopped dead in there tracks. I can't believe that worked. I used this to my advantage as I ran and kicked the closest one, who had a girl draped on his back. He dropped her and I dragged her away. Tall Black walked up toward me and pointed his handgun right at me. "Give me the girl, boy. Don't make me do anything rash."

Now the next thing I said even surprised me. "No! I will not stand by and allow you to take these students to somewhere unknown." Gosh, that sounds really formal.

"I commend your bravery boy. Not many have the guts to stand up to me." His face gleamed with a sinister grin. "I'll make you an offer. Why don't you join me? Give me the girl and your dreams will become reality."

I thought back to my recent dreams. My response didn't take long. "Whatever you have, I don't want."

"Very well then. Your fate is sealed."

A loud bang filled the cafeteria and a sharp pain occurred in my heart and most of my chest. Screams follow the bang and time seems to slow for me and everything goes black.

***

As my vision cleared up I could tell I was standing, but I couldn't hear anything. Why didn't I... OH MY GOSH! Is that, my body? No the floor? But I'm standing over me. Sweet mother of... I think I'm dead!

A bright light appeared behind me. I turned to see a man with a very scarred up face and wore white robes. Great, first I'm dead and now this guy appears. Needlessly to say I don't know what to do.

"Anthony, it's alright," his voice was smooth and compassionate. "Everything is going to be OK."

"How? What? What's going on?" I asked with my trembling voice.

"You were shot and your soul is now outside of your body."

Oh, wow. Straight to it then. "So, I'm dead." It was said more like a statement than a question.

"No my child. You have proven that you are willing to be a sacrifice to save another. You will need that trait if you are going to succeed."

"What are you talking about? What aren't you telling me? Help me!"

"I will always help you. Now arise, Protector of Fire, and protect those that need it."

*****

I awoke lying on the ground. A slight pain was in my chest and a little blood covered my maroon shirt. But other than that I was OK. I brought my head up to see the three dark men walk through a big black hole that seemed to be a portal. I need to get through; I need to do what the man in white said, even though it makes no sense. I don't know why, but it felt like the right thing to do. I slowly got up and tried to move toward the portal. It was too much, my chest couldn't take it. The black men passed through the portal and it started to close. My chance was lost.

But it only closed a little bit before remaining the same size. I looked and saw the man in white holding open the portal! I couldn't believe it! I shook my head in disbelief and blinked, but then he was gone.

I must get through. That was my only thought. I must get through. I must get through!

That kept me going. Slowly, I walked through the portal ready for whatever challenged awaited me. I knew it must be done. It felt as though I was the only one who could help those students, and by God, I'm going to do it!