Playing With Fire

imagined

     Emberly was amazed. The amusement park had just transformed before her eyes.
     "Come on." Evan gestured towards the door. They entered the building and saw Josh standing by the doorway.
     "About time. We've been waiting for forever." Josh said.
     "Alright, boss. But next time, why don't you go find the emotionally scarred girl and convince her to trust you even though you just met." Evan was sarcastic. Usually that comment would hurt Emberly's feelings, but she couldn't feel anything at that moment.
     "We need to talk to her now." Josh ordered.
     "No, okay? She's gone through a lot today, there was some sort of Shadow at her house. She was almost killed. Let her rest for tonight."
     "Typical Evan, always trying to boss around the actual boss. You aren't in charge here. I am."
     Before Evan could jump in and defend himself, Emberly spoke. "Excuse me? Hi. I'm Emberly, you know, the girl you guys are talking about? Listen, Jacob, or whatever your name is, you may be Evan's boss, but you aren't mine. I will make my my own decision and I decide that I would like to rest." Emberly had no idea where the sass came from, but she was exhausted.
     "It's Josh." Josh responded. "And where do you think you're going to stay?"
     Emberly hadn't thought about his, luckily Evan stepped in. "She can stay in my room."
    Josh glared. "Fine. From now on, Emberly is your responsibility." He stormed off. Emberly turned to Evan.
     "Well, he seems nice." In response, Evan snorted.

     Evans room was clean and plain. Everything was in order.
     "You can sleep on the bed." Evan turned to walk out of the room.
    "Hey Evan?"
    "What?" Evan said. He didn't sound annoyed, he sounded genuine.
     "Why were you at my house?"
     "The Council wanted you brought to the Centre."
     "But, why were you at my house?'
     "I offered to go."
     But why, Emberly thought. But all she said was "Thanks."
      "Get some good sleep." Evan said as he walked out of the room. Emberly then remembered that good sleep is impossible for her. 

     Evan couldn't help but watch Emberly as she slept. He noticed how restless she was, this worried him. He couldn't explain how someone he just met could mean so much to him. He couldn't explain why he cared so much, he just knew that he did care. Evan was sitting in a chair by the bed, occasionally dozing off. He became suddenly wide awake when he heard a loud gasp of air.
     Right on time. Thought Emberly as she woke up at 3:00 am due to her nightmare. 
     "Are you okay?" Emberly didn't know Evan was there, and when he spoke, his words startled her. She jumped.
     "Yeah, I'm okay," Emberly said with a sigh, "this, um, this happens every night."
     "What happens every night?"
     Emberly hesitated before she answered. "My mom...My mom was murdered...In front of me. And, every night, I have nightmares of it. The way I remember it, I've always thought I was crazy, because that's what people always told me. They told me that I imagined it. But now, I know that it actually happened. All my life people thought I was crazy and would avoid me. Now I feel like my life was a lie because I found out it was real. Now, I know that I didn't imagine it, and that I've missed out on an entire life that should've been mine to begin with. "
     "Oh. I'm sorry."
     "Don't be. It feels good to talk about it."
     "Then keep talking."
     "What do I say?"
     "Do you remember anything about her?"
     "She had freckles." Emberly smiled as she spoke. "And I remember her eyes. They were a fiery red."
     "Fiery?"
     "Yeah. Why?"
     "Well, there's this legend, about Dragon-Beings. Frayers, who's ancestors are dragons plus the regular spartan and warlock. They say that their eyes are red, that their hair is fire."
     "Are those beings evil?"
     "They have a choice. When their powers become, they either do an act of evil or good, and whichever one they chose, is the one they are."
    "That's intense."
    "How so?"
    "To make a decision like that. It seems, frightening."
    Evan though about it. "I suppose, that there's a lesson involved in it."
     "What would the lesson be?"
     "Probably something about choices and life and stuff."
      Emberly smirked. "Inspiring." They both chuckled.
      "Hey, just cause I'm good looking doesn't mean I'm smart."
       "Wow. Arrogant?"
       "No. Truthful."
       Emberly threw a pillow at Evan as they laughed.
       "What about your dad?" Evan asked.
       "I don't remember him."
       "Nothing?"
      "Nothing at all. I think he might have been one of those guys who gets girls pregnant and then leaves."
       "You mean dirtbags?"
       "I would use a more... Creative...Name...But, yeah."
       "Creative? You mean, worse."
       "Way worse." Emberly stated with a grin. "Do you want your bed back?" She asked.
     "No, I'll sleep on the chair."
     "You sure? Cause I can-"
     "I'm sure." Evan said as they made eye contact. Evan almost flinched when he saw a flash of redish-orange in her grey eyes.
     "What?" Emberly asked.
     "Your eyes."
     "My eyes? My eyes are grey and dull, what about 'em?"
     "Nothing. Nevermind." He must have imagined it.