The World We've Set On Fire ■ Wattys 2016

2. The Wounds

Ezra sits on the stool in his house when it happens. There's a deafening noise and the roof crumbles and falls on top of him. He survives.

Ezra pushes himself up and brushes the dust off of himself. Then, he stands up and walks out of the room, oblivious to the fact that his head is bleeding.

You look at him and the thought comes to your mind at once:
'This boy is going to die.'

To be honest, that's what you think when you look at anyone. Given the circumstances, you don't think anyone is going to survive this war.

Don't roll your eyes at me like that. I know it. That's what you always think. Don't scowl at me, either. I'm not saying that you're wrong.

Anyway, Ezra walks out of his house and finds the other survivors. There are only three of them.

Yes, I know. All three of them will die.

Ezra is relieved that Stephanie is alive. She's not pleased to see him.

She's not pleased to see anything.

He walks over to her and she nods in greeting. "You lived." She points out.

"I know." He smiles.

A fool, isn't he? No? You're only saying that because you like him.

"What happens now?" She whispers.

"I don't know."

Donna, the third survivor, walks over to them.

You know, I'm surprised that she didn't die. She's 102... yeah, of course I'm talking about her age. What else?

"Someone will come." Ezra comforts her.

"Don't worry, Mrs Flare. It's going to be okay." Stephanie smiles.

She's so pretty, no wonder Ezra likes her... don't you dare throw that pillow at me... no, don't! ... alright alright! If you're done breaking my bones, can I continue!?

Oh, look! A firetruck arrives but there's no fire to put out anymore. Bad quality bombs, I guess.

They get into the firetruck which drives them to the nearest hospital.

They get their bandages and ointments and then- what did you say? No, they're here to work. No, not Mrs Flare. She's going somewhere else.

Stephanie goes to the maternity ward and Ezra goes to the one for victims. Who should we follow? I think I'm going after Steph- no, please don't hit me again. Fine, we'll go with Ezra.

The ward is horrible. Ezra walks inside and reports at the main desk. The nurse escorts him to the last bed and he's supposed to feed a disabled girl. Woah, that girl's stunning.

Ouch! That hurt! You're stunning too, okay? What? No! Why should I call you hot? You're my sister, for God's sake! Okay, shut up. Let me concentrate.

Ezra helps the wounded people... God, the stench is horrible. The smell of blood makes him want to puke. Personally, I like that smell. Blood has a wonderful smell... and a wonderful taste.

I'm going to snatch that pillow from you if you hurt me one more time.

Ezra goes to the last bed to help the lady. But he cringes when he sees her. You want to know why? Because she's been skinned alive. Yep, she's all flesh and blood.

Don't tell me not to lick my lips. Blood is delicious, okay?

There are broken limbs and cracked skulls everywhere. Ezra sees a man who has lost his intestines and stomach because they were pulled out of him by his wife.

God, that's makes you sound like an angel... sorry sorry sorry! You're an angel, of course you are... and also an abusive sister.

Ezra helps the patients. There's a girl who lost her eyes, a boy who lost his ear, a man who lost his nose and a woman who lost her lips... what!?

Never mind... okay so Ezra goes to the nurse and she gives him a slip. He takes it and goes to a cafeteria where he gets a can of apple juice and an egg sandwich with a bar of dark chocolate.

He finds Stephanie there but she doesn't pay any attention to him because she's too busy swooning over me... ouch! I'm gonna pull your braids if you do that again! Okay fine! She comes over to him and they eat together. Then, they return to their wards.

They haven't reached their destinations when the hospital is bombed. This time, no one survives.

Don't you give me that look! No, it's not an abrupt ending! That's what happened during the War. Mom says every bombing came without a warning... what!? Of course not! My stories aren't boring!

Duh, of course I was joking when I said you like Ezra, you don't even know him. No, I wasn't joking when I said Stephanie is- if you hit me one more time, you little devil, I'm going to pick you up and throw you out of the stupid window.

Go to sleep, honey.