Guardians

Ignicia

We were all small, but yet- somehow so big. We were just humans, but somehow we were so much more than just that. Even though, in the end, we're just animals desperately seeking love and happiness- we somehow found so much more.
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I can feel the people of the village watching me, staring at me, judging me. Yes, I'm fifteen, but I'm certainly not stupid. I know what everyone here thinks of me. But I wish they didn't think of me that way, wish that I could just be regular. But oblivious to my wishes and prayers, I'm still me. Ignicia, that one girl who can control fire, heat, warmth- ignition.
I stroll into the bakery to see the sweetest lady on the planet, Rachael, sitting in her small stool behind the granite island. Her bakery hasn't been doing very well lately, but Rachael sure did have a lot of hope. She was around forty years old with short brown hair, and she was very short: around five feet tall. Although the tremendous age difference, she seemed to accept me for who I was. Rachael tells me that everyone can find happiness no matter their position. She is Belle and I am the beast, metaphorically of course. I'm not a beast, even though some people see me that way.
"Hi, Rachael. How's your day so far?"
"I'm good; how about you, sweet heart?"
Sweet heart- hah.
"Good. Has anyone came in here today besides me?"
"No- as usual. But it's okay; I put up some new signs today, and I put a communal bucket of homemade treats outside. If people like them, maybe they'll come in and look at some other pastries!" She said cheerily.
I sighed. She reminds me of a five year old girl, completely unaware that there's a bright AND dark side to things.
"That is actually a pretty good idea. People are suckers for cheap stuff."
"Yeah- see? That's what I figured!"
"Anyway, I took some money from my parent's room. Do you have any more sweet bread?"
"The last customer I had was three days ago. Of course I have some left, hun!"
I drop 9 dollars on the counter, and she swings a bag with a loaf of sweetbread in it over the island.
"Here you go, Iggy. Enjoy!"
I know, the nickname Iggy is pretty cheesy. But I don't mind it. Hearing everyone over town say my name so many times, Iggy kinda feels like a breathe of fresh air.
"Thanks, Rachael. I'll check back in tomorrow."
I waved, pushing the door open and making my way back to the cottage me and my mother live in.
I swing the bag of sweet bread over my shoulder, bounding down the rock path in the field, pretending I'm unaware of people staring at me.
Ever since my parent's house burnt down when I was little, the whole village thinks I'm crazy. I told the village patrols that something had happened and it was as if I was connected to the fire. But people don't know that I actually can control it, they just know me as the girl who's out of her mind. And to be honest, I don't want to be known as that girl anymore. And I don't want Rachael to be known as the poor bakery lady. I want change, and I've been wanting it for a while- I'll go to any length to get it.