Second Chances for Tyler Landry

In The Line of Fire

Tyler's eyes began to droop half way through the lecture in third period. Slowly he put his head down, his hair cushioning the hard desk.

Eventually he fell into a deep sleep.

*Dream*

Tyler walked into his bedroom. He had smelled smoke, but for some reason wasn't concerned or panicked. He saw the thick black air puff out from underneath the door.

He creaked open the door and saw Mackenzie, passed out on his bed. Her limbs were tied up to the bed post and the fire surrounded her. She jolted and began struggling. She was screaming and shouting and coughing.

She swung her body around, trying to breathe and trying to get out of the tight knots.

Tyler raced into the room, the fire engulfing him as he stepped toward her twisting figure. The fire was beautiful and he didn't feel any pain. Instantly, little clips of memories flew around him as he stared into the angry red and orange flames.

The memories included Mandy Maria, Mackenzie blinking her eyes, his mother leaving with his father whenever they decided that he could fend for himself, the only time he ever saw Mackenzie cry, Chasity, Jolee, Debra, Rachel, and all the girls he had ever been with.

And than it was just Mackenzie, normal pictures of Mackenzie. Her laughing, her smiling her hard and somewhat guarded smile.

Than the fire seperated with Mackenzie's pealing scream. Tyler saw her struggling and dying as the smoke seemed to collapse inward in her face. Tyler whipped his head around and saw that the door was now covered in roaring fire. He knew their death was inevitable.

He walked over and laid down beside Mackenzie. She stopped fighting the ropes and turned to look at him, her watery hazel eyes looking for some kind of answer.

The ropes all of the sudden unraveled and Mackenzie continued to just lay there with her hands at her side and stare at Tyler with the same questioning look. The same hope.

But, the only answer Tyler gave her was grabbing her hand and holding it tightly. Accepting the defeat.

Mackenzie got an understanding look in her eyes and they both looked toward the ceiling. The fire slowly ate them both alive. And their souls fluttered together, escaping the house.

*Tyler wakes up*

The bell sounded, and Tyler, still blurry and incoherent, walked dizzily to his next class.