The Sacred Flame

Chapter 2

          "AUNT CASSIE," I scream as I race towards her house from the pasture I put Bella and Gusty in, riding gear and all. Who was that boy? Why was he on our land? What did he want? All these questions and more flit through my mind as I replay what just happened, paying attention to all the little details I neglected originally. I pause mid-stride as my mind's eye focuses on the boy's appearance, realizing I never really took a good look at him. Short black hair that was more a very deep dark blue but that couldn't be right. I suppose it could be dyed but it looked to natural. Startlingly vibrant light green eyes, straight aquiline nose, square jaw and wide slightly rosy lips. Quite tall, at least six foot if not taller and what appeared to be all lean muscle, almost like a cat. My mind flashes to a picture of the mountain lion crouched low to the ground preparing to strike. I flinch at the memory as shame floods my blood stream. In the face of real danger I was absolutely useless till Bella stepped in. "Pathetic," I scathingly whisper, resuming my path into the house.

                I round the corner into the kitchen and my eyes instantly land on Aunt Cassie. Her eyes connect with mine as she lifts an apple towards her mouth. She stops mid-way as her eyes widen taking in my disheveled appearance. "What happened sugar  cube," she asks, setting the apple down, concern lighting her hazel eyes making them look almost like melted caramel as she walks over to me. "Do you have any patrons on the farm or surrounding land," I question, searching her eyes for an answer. "No, why," she slowly replies frowning. "I was afraid you were going to say that," I mumble as her frown deepens. "When Bella and I were at our meadow Gusty suddenly burst through some bushes looking terrified and in full riding gear. Then a boy looking to be around my age, that I have never seen before, showed up on the other side of the stream right before a mountain lion attacked," I say in a rush. I pause to suck in a deep breath as Aunt Cassie gasps and opens her mouth to talk. "But don't worry, the only one hurt was the mountain lion, promise," I cut her off before she gets too concerned. "Well that's good but no, there shouldn't be any one on our land, especially a boy around your age. None of my customers fit that description," she responds giving me a quick hug before pulling back and studying my face.

                I glance around nervously and shift my feet as she continues to study my face. "What? Do I have blood on me or something?"

                "No but you aren't telling me everything. What else happened," she counters a hard edge to her voice and eyes. I freeze and narrow my eyes, slipping my mask on to hide my emotions. "Nothing else of consequence happened. So drop it," I hiss taking a step back, feeling her arms slide down and then off of me. I can't tell her about the shimmering wall or that weird hand thing I did. She'd never believe me and send me to an asylum for sure. I watch as pain floods her eyes while she clasps her hands in front of her and takes a small step back. "I'm gonna go groom Bella and Gusty," I abruptly announce, turning on my heel and marching out of the house.

                I grind my teeth in frustration, hating myself for treating her that way but it had to be done. It's for her own good. She doesn't need to get mixed up in my crazy shit, I sadly think staring at Bella and Gusty grazing. I let out a wistful sigh and set to work.

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                I look down at my watch frowning as I hurry down the street. I hope everyone's still there, even though I am quite late. "Hey there blaze," I hear a feminine voice say, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glance towards were the voice came from and a wide grin splits my face. Sitting in a shaded corner of a cafes patio sat my four closest friends. My only friends' truth be told, the few who aren't afraid of me or think I'm a complete freak who needs to be put down. "Hey guys, I wasn't sure if you were still going to be around or not," I say sitting down and looking at everyone. "Well of course we would silly, where else would we be," the girl on my right says. I look over at her and smile. One of my two confidants, Jasmine Harris, better known as Jazz by everyone but her parents. Elbow length deep red hair frames her heart shaped face. Large doe-like brown eyes set above a petite nose and pale lips. Slightly shorter than my five foot six frame but far more voluptuous than most people I know.