Firebird

Chapter 6- Fearless

  Chapter 6- Fearless

I couldn’t see anything. So much smoke wafted into my eyes that they burned and stung. I blindly wove my way past the towering flames.

   There was nothing. Nothing but fire and smoke. And it was my fault.

   I heard screams all around me but couldn’t find anyone around. I myself screamed until I breathed in mouthfuls of smoke and ash and coughed so violently my throat was soon raw.

   There was a light ahead through the blackness and sparks. I followed it, dodging the hungry flames furiously trying to engulf me. As I reached the light, I could feel the cool, fresh air outside the burning tent. I got closer and closer…

   A huge, fiery beam fell in my path, missing me by only a hair. Now there was no escaping death. I screamed as loud as my raspy voice would permit. No one heard me. I knew that. But what else could I do?

   There was a loud crack above. I looked up with burning eyes. The flaming tent was coming down…

                                    Λ   <   V   >   Λ  

   “Bella!”

   I trashed and screamed until someone pulled me against them and whispered in my ear, stroking my hair. “It was just a dream. You’re okay now.”

   Tears leaked down my cheek and into his shoulder. I breathed in deeply trying to calm myself. I’d had nightmares before but never like that one. It felt so real.

   Astley held me tightly until I pulled away, wiping tears and cold sweat from my face. I was in my tent, covered up on my cot. It was dark outside. Rain noisily pattered against the roof. A lantern flickered from somewhere beside me.

   Astley was sitting at the edge of the cot looking genuinely concerned and even more pale that usual. His deep eyes were filled with worry. It made him look much older.

   “Are you alright, dear?” someone asked from beside him.

   I looked over and saw Miriam Abbott, Gallagher’s wife, standing above us. She was a plump woman with bright red hair and rosy cheeks. She had been with Gallagher when we played Show Off but didn’t participate herself.

   I rubbed my throbbing head. My neck brand burned but I didn’t say so. I don’t like to be fussed over. “Yeah, fine.”

   A few heads poked in through the tent flap. Sy and Fa waved at me and asked a million questions at once until Miriam shooed them away. Astley took my hand. He opened his mouth to speak but Miriam pulled on his jacket. “You too, Rickett. Out! You obviously stress the girl.”

   “I do not!” He objected. He gave me another worried glance then continued arguing with Miriam. For such a short woman, she was very strong and she pushed him out but not before he waved goodbye. Miriam shouted for everyone else to shoo. I was surprised at how many voices I heard whispering to each other outside as they scattered. They’d all come just to make sure I was okay.

   Miriam handed me a glass of water. I drank it quickly letting it’s coolness sooth my parched, dry throat. She sat down on a wooden stool that I guess she brought with her. I didn’t have anything but my cot.

   My head spun slightly as I pushed myself upright. “What happened?”

   “Don’t know dear. You seemed perfectly fine before you fainted.”

   It had to be Chalavar. I wanted to tell her but I felt like I shouldn’t. I don’t know how he could’ve made me pass out like that. But then I didn’t know how he did many things.