The Fire Guardians

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

                “What?” I asked.

                “Uh, yes,” Vic said as his eyes darted around the room, “Micah Evans is not your father.”

                “You’re telling me I’m some guardian who protects over this village. Then I’ll become immortal and gain power of fire. And now you’re saying that my dad isn’t my dad?”

                “Pretty much,” Claire yawned.

                She started up the flight of stairs, and I asked, “Where are you going?”

                “Upstairs to read,” Claire replied. She continued upstairs, and at that point I decided I’d had enough.

                “Well,” I said, “this has all been too interesting but I really must be on my way.”

                “Krista,” Vic began to call, but I was already out the door. The sun was barely visible behind the mountains, and night had started to set. I broke into a sprint and felt relief wash over me when I got home. I pushed the front door open and was greeted by our Corgi, Daisy.

                I quickly scratched behind her ear, but she left dismayed when she discovered I didn’t have a treat for her. Lily was seated at the table eating something while my mom was washing dishes.

                “You’re early,” my mom said, “Do you want anything to eat?”

                “Nah, I’m not that hungry,” I answered as I went upstairs. I walked into my bedroom, and collapsed on my bed. My brain couldn’t wrap around everything that happened today, and my stomach felt like someone had punched it nine hundred times. I thought about all the homework sitting in my backpack, and what I’d have to face tomorrow. I smothered my face in my pillow, wishing that all my problems would disappear. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I closed my eyes. For once, my insomnia had faltered, because I fell asleep immediately. 

                A finger poked by cheek. I opened my eyes and saw Lily standing there.

                I swatted her away, and she said, “You overslept.” Crap, I had forgotten to set my alarm clock! I jumped out of bed and glanced over at my clock. I had five minute before I needed to be outside. There goes my usual morning shower.

                Shooing Lily out, and closing my door, I pulled off my pajama pants. I slid on a pair of light jeans and reached blindly for the first t-shirt available. As I slid the gray t-shirt over my neck, I started out the door. Then I remembered how cold it was going to be out, and my eyes scanned the room for a sweatshirt. I grabbed a slim-fitting dark blue sweatshirt and my backpack before running downstairs.

                I didn’t see anyone downstairs, except my mom. She was on her way out, though.

                “Where are Curtis and Lily?” I asked.

                “They left,” she answered blankly and I followed her out the door. She went into our garage/business place, while I ran down the sidewalk. Curtis and Lily were nearly at the elementary school when I finally caught up with them.

                “You said,” I panted, “I…I had f-five minutes.” Lily began to giggle and I wanted to scream at her and tell her this wasn’t a game. But she was only six. I didn’t expect miracles from her.