Paths

Chapter One // Goodbye

Ur an faggit lol She couldn't breath. Couldn't see. She couldn't understand. What was happening? Her mind tried to grope with her surroundings. Tears were already poring down her chubby cheeks. "Mommy!" She cried.

Small little flames were beginning to curl around the bottom of her bedroom door. "Daddy!".

The small four year old sat on a small pink bed, clutching tightly on to the bed covers. Heat was flowing freely through the room, smoke following close behind. She coughed slightly into her hand, which was how she was taught, so as not to be impolite to guests. Smoke was crawling through her mouth every time she shouted for her parents. "Mommy! Daddy!" She screamed, still roaring crying.

She inhaled another breath of air, but found herself coughing and not being able to stop. The fire. It was big. It was coming for her.

Skye sat upright, gasping. Again. That was the second time she had that dream that week. She normally only had it once a month, so that made this unusual. There was a slight light shining through the curtain of the bedroom window. It must've been early morning. Maybe four or five, maybe even six. There were three other bunk beds, other than her own, seven of which were filled.

Without making a sound, Skye climbed out of her bed and down the thin ladder that led to the floor. Taking her book with her, she left the bedroom for the cold hall. When she finally reached the kitchen, she sat down on one of the many benches that surrounded the room. There was another girl there. She looked around ten, five years younger than herself.

Mia was her name. She was fairly new to the orphanage, and she seemed to be coping fine. Skye didn't really know anything about her, other than the fact that she had no parents. "Hey" Skye whispered, not wanting to wake up the others that were sleeping upstairs.

"Hiya" Mia whispered glancing up to look at Skye for a second, before eyeing her cereal and taking another big spoonful.

Skye sat down opposite her, placing her book in front of her. Ten minutes later and Mia stood up to place her bowl on the conter. She plonked back down in her seat, and sat silently for a few moments. "Skye?" She asked.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever been to school?"

"Yes"

"Oh. Is it fun?"

"Yes, mostly. Why? Have you never been?"

"I have, but not a normal one".

"What do you mean by that?" Skye asked.

"I don't know" Mia replied, smiling slightly.

Skye returned the smile.

"I'm going to get more cereal" Mia said slightly louder.

"Here, I'll get it" Skye said.

"No, it's fine, you can stay" she said beginning to stand up.

Skye bet her too it though, because she was standing up to, climbing over the bench and making her way to the kitchen counter.

Neither of them had a chance to reach it though. The bowl that they had been going for cam flying towards them, landing with a loud clatter on the table. Mia let out a loud gasp. "No way" were the two words that spluttered out of her mouth.

She gave one glance at Skye before bolting upstairs towards their room. Skye watched her go, confused, and was about to go follow her, until she noticed the broken pieces of the bowl. She'd be in trouble if she didn't clean the mess up. Quickly grabbing a brush and shovel, she sweeped up the mess of broken pottery. Shortly afterwards, she heard Mia running back down the stairs with a phone in her hand. She rushed out the front door, in quite a hurry.