Elements - Book 1, Curiosity Killed The Cat

chapter 2

∞ CHAPTER 2 ∞

Please don't ask me how the house caught on fire. It just happened, out of the blue. One moment, I was in the kitchen arguing with my dad, the next, large, fiery, flaming, red tongues consumed my kitchen walls,

As soon as my dad adjusted to the situation, he lobbed me over his shoulder and carried me to the bathroom window. He set me down, and said:

“Now honey, I know this all might seem scary to you, but your day will come where you will fulfil your destiny, and in time, grow up to your full potential.”

“Daddy!” I squealed as I coughed out the smoke that had floated into my lungs.

“Stay calm, stay brave Catharine. Now listen to me very carefully, I want you to climb out of the window and scream as loud as you can to get someone’s attention, they will call the firemen.”

I slowly crawled out of the window and face planted on to the dying turf. A prickly sensation in my cheeks caused me to jolt upright.

I turned around to help dad out. Just in time to see a wooden beam from the roof fall down on top of dad. The smoke, flames and roof consumed my father and he will forever be gone. No amount of my mother’s wallowing or my salty little tears could bring him back.

Any way, 12 years later and my mother still blames me for that incident, I blame myself too.  I’ve always had a strange connection with fire and heat.

I have, what I like to call, an "internal heat detection switch". I basically just say the word fire and it turns on.I do the same thing to turn it off. Heat detection is actually quite fun.

“Fire” I say while cough into my hand, and instantly, all the bodies on the bus glow a light red. Especially the boy sitting right next to me.

I’ve only seen him a few times, walking around school, so I can’t say that I know him.

Let’s have some fun!

I look up to him, only to see that he’s been staring at me the whole time. He instantly looks away and swirling dark red colours consume him due to his body temperature rising from embarrassment. I quietly chuckle to myself in a flirtatious way. His temperature rises, again. This is fun!  I think to myself. 

I look over to the other teenagers from my school, and I instantly notice Colin Greenwood. Poor guy. He’s asked me out 3 times this year and always feel bad when I turn him down every single time. Don’t get me wrong, Colin’s a really nice guy, and any girl would be blessed to have him. But I’m just not that into guys.

If I had a boyfriend, my whole life would be out-of-whack. I would always be trying to impress him, and I wouldn’t have any time for studying or homework. I know what you’re thinking, I’m a nerd. But I’m honestly not, I just-

Forget it.

The bus pulled to a stop. Right in front of my school. I fiddled with my tie to make sure I look presentable.

I had feeling that today was going to be a big day.