Burning Rose

                      He walked down the track. His mind soon began drifting away. He thought of Clarisse, smart, beautiful Clarisse, the way she had so much life in her body. She was not just breathing but she was living. He then started to think of Mildred. She only used up the air. She didn't appreciate life the way Clarisse did. She was not as beautiful as Clarisse, but they both had his love. Love. What a silly word for an emotion. He wondered about this word. Did Mildred really love him, or had their ten year marriage been in vain? She had called Beatty, and she couldn't remember when they had first met. The only thing MIldred loved was her "family". Montag yearned to understand this feeling of love and hatred for his wife. Was he too good for a woman like Mildred or was he at her level as well. He was like MIldred years ago before the hunger for knowledge grew in him. When did this realization of Mildred finally come to him? Was it the suicidal incident? Was it the fact she was unhappy with him? Or was it the betrayal? His train of thought soon came to a stop as he stared at a huge wall. There was a black door that had a gold rose painted on it. He turned the knob and opened. Nothing. The opening was covered up by a brick wall. He ran his fingers up and down and found a loose brick he pulled and the door fell away. He walked through into a dark foggy forest.

"What is this place" asked Montag

                 He trudged on and on for what seemed like hours. He heard water up ahead and jogged up to a beautiful waterfall. He heard yelling and laughter. He crouched down behind a bush and watched as the strange couple dove into the blue clear water. He sat there and watched. Watched these beautiful creatures live and laugh not worrying about what was happening in the world. One of the girls had bright red hair almost like a flame. How ironic he was done burning things but the thought of the flame brought an evil smile to his face. The other had golden blonde hair with a very familiar face.

"Montag?" Yelled the girl after spotting the figure behind the bush.

"Montag is that really you?" She asked.

"Clarisse?" He whispered.

               Without even thinking about it he ran he ran so fast and embraced his long lost friend. Appalled, the girl with red hair pulled them apart and scolded Clarisse.

"He is and outsider we aren't allowed to interact with them, what would your uncle say?"

"He isn't an outsider" she said with a smile "he belongs here".

Clarisse led Montag to a little village near the waterfall. It was a lot smaller than the city but it had a better environment. The people sat outside laughing and singing. And the people inside were enjoying dinner with their families or reading. I was truly beautiful.

"If only Mildred could have seen". He said

             He wanted her to see the true beauty in knowledge and art. But she could never see it. What a shame that was. Clariesse led Montah to a little home right in the center of the other houses. She weaves in and out through all the people in the tiny house. Holding on to her hand she guided him to a Great Wall full of markings and words and amazing quotes.

"My uncle built this for us to let out what we feel each week. Weather it's sadness,anger, or joy it was better to let it out onto the board rather than each other"

"Your uncle is a smart man" replied Montag.

"We'll thank you Mr.Montag" replied an unfamiliar voice behind Montag.

"Hello Montag I'm Blaze, Clarisse's uncle. I was once like you, a fireman that is and I too enjoyed it"

Blaze. Where had Montag heard that name before? Blaze,Blaze,Blaze... Then he remembered.

"Blaze as in captain James B. Alvarez?" Montag asked

"That would be me" he replied.

"It's truly an honor sir" he replied shaking his hand.

Captain Blaze was Beatty's best friend. He held the record of most burned houses. 451.