The Fire

Chapter II

EMMA

I didn't know what happened.

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts...

I didn't know what hurt exactly. It felt like my whole body was on fire. Big chemical fire, that doesn't only burn, but eats your skin as well. And eats it with pleasure.

The flames started in my head. I thought it exploded. I couldn't see anything. Just white, bright white, like a lightning, making you dizzy and forlorn.

The Warrior clicked again.

The fire flowed down my back, started to burn my intestines.

I must not give up.

Pain started to extend on the rest of my body, I couldn't resist it. I was on the edge. It was so... close... to end everything.

"Come on, honey. A few words and this all will be over."

His voice was soothing, gave me a stable point, something real, something I could grab, so I didn't lose myself. Cause the pain started to be warm, almost cosy, I knew that I had to stand some more, just a little bit more, and...

And they suspected that. He clicked again. The fire was gone.

For a second. It came back unexpectedly, hit me hard with its harsh power. I threw up.

"Ugh... Guys, take her somewhere. To the Pink District. We will find her there, if she'll ever be needed again. And burn the house."

I moaned and tried to stand up, but I just threw up again. Even with masks on their faces, I felt how disgusted they were.

They dragged me out of the house. I wanted to run. I wanted to escape so much. I wanted to protect my home.

But a moment later all I could hear was real fire, huge and hot, eating my hope and memories with its red thirsty mouth.

LUNA

My family owned a big company, selling electrical power to smaller cities surrounding Minchir. I didn't really know much about it. I wasn't the one to inherit the business. My older brother, Tom, was already one of the managers. He was smart, though, not only being the owner's son gave him success. Tom has always been a better student than me, especially in physics.

And physics really ran the world now. The electrical industry, nuclear power plants, decomposing radioactive garbage and exploring the cosmos produced a lot of money.

Hundreds of thousands Humans were employed in those fields, and another thousands in biological industry. Huge underground plantations and farms needed lots of work around. Regular fields, where plants grew using the real Sun, were rare because of their lack of efficiency. Also producing energy from organic garbage was important nowadays. Everything in the modern world worked together in a perfect harmony.

Except human relationships, maybe.

I was tired of Josh. I was tired of seeing all these women with pink tattoos. One never appeared twice. I have not seen any of them before. They were coming to my house at least once a week, and I couldn't do anything about it.

Or yeah, I could. I could divorce. Although divorcing was always stressful and humiliating. You had to go through thousands of questions, social workers knocking at your door all of sudden, questioning about things like the hookers your husband is cheating on you with, and if both you and your partner were fertile, there wasn't really any chance of getting the divorce. 'Produce and reproduce'. That was the name of the leading political party.

"Hi Jane" I said opening the kitchen door. "What's for breakfast?"

"Good morning." Jane opened her mouth even wider. I haven't said a word since three weeks. "What would you like, ma'am?"

"Don't call me ma'am, Jane." I sighed. "I'd like an omelette, thanks."

"Oh, Luna. How are you, honey?"

I choked on the air. I didn't even know it's possible.

Josh looked the same. Why would he change anyway? His eyes were hazel, pretty as always combined with his dark-brown skin, looking at me from the height of two meters. I was much smaller than him, which at first made me feel safe, but now the exact opposite of it.

"I'm... fine" I whispered. I tried not to look at him.

"Is something wrong?" Josh frowned.

His arm raised up. I looked at it and the blood rushed suddenly to my my head. I felt dizzy. A second became an hour as I watched Josh's hand being lifted. I was so sure he's going to hit me, I shrank and stepped an inch back.

But he wasn't. He just touched the back of his head, like he was embarrassed or shy.

"Luna, answer me."

"I'm... alright. Nothing's wrong" I've never been a good liar, and Josh knew about that. He was looking at me suspiciously, even when Jane said something to him.

"I'm not really sure if you're being honest with me now, Luna."

I've heard this tone before. Three weeks ago, after I told him I got pregnant, he said the exact same thing.

I started breathing faster and cracking my fingers - I did it often when I was nervous. Josh hated it.

"Jane, would you please leave us alone for a moment?"

Josh turned his head and the red tattoo on his neck shone in light.

I wished it was blood.