Embers [Lashton]

Chapter 2

*Luke's POV*

My entire body aches and my limbs feel like they're on fire.

Fire.

I hear my father yelling at someone and slowly peel my eyes open. A surge of pain washes over me and I start coughing desperately.

"Lucas?" He says softly, staring at me with wide eyes. A nurse follows him to my bedside and helps me sit up so I don't choke on my coughs. My voice attempts to ask questions, but the words entangle into pathetic whimpers.

My dad puts a heavy hand on my shoulder, drawing attention to the blue cast on my arm. It's okay, bud. No one will hurt you again."

The nurse brings a cup of water to my chapped lips before speaking, "Sweetie, can you tell me your level of pain? Scale of one to ten."

Honestly? 400. "7," I reply.

"Good. We can work with 7."
She proceeds to leap into a surplus of medical terminology that I tune out. The memories flash back on repeat in my mind.

I was lying in bed, listening to Green Day with headphones shoved in my ears. I barely catch the roar of an engine outside. Then Yelling.
"Get the whole house. I want it to be a swimming pool of fucking gasoline."
I didn't even have time to get to my feet before a wall of flames engulfed the bottom half of my house and crawling upwards. Smoke instantly rose into my room, filling the place with thick black clouds. On hands and knees, I moved to the window only to have flames burst into the open window. They snuck closer to me before one took a hold of my leg. I cried out in pain before snatching up a blanket and patting the fire out. More and more smoke filled the room and flames shot in every direction. I had to move. I had to get out. I army crawl to the window before standing. With fear rattling my bones and tears streaming down my face, I throw myself out the window up a few stories.

"Luke, what's wrong?" The nurse disrupts my thoughts, "You're crying."

"I thought I was going to die." I admit shakily.

My father's grip tightens on my shoulder. It sends an ache through my body, but I'd rather have the comfort.

"Can I have a moment alone with my kid?" My dad asks, dismissing the nurse with a nod of his head. She blushes and shuffles out of the room.

"Whoever did this to our home, to you, I won't let them hurt you."

"Was it because of your work?" I ask, biting back the resentment in my words. He doesn't seem to notice.

"We don't know. But I'm going to put someone watching you all the time, okay?"

My mouth gapes open and coughs sputter out. My dad picks up the water and helps me sip from a straw until I'm done with the fit. "You're getting me a bodyguard?"

"It'll be great, Luke. We have someone really great. He'll attend school with you and everything."

I withhold my groan and silently nod. The last thing I want is to draw more attention to myself by having some guy follow my every move. I already feel trapped as it is.

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Irwin. Ashton Irwin."