Shadow Former

[10] The Fate of a Shadow Former

Konnya bit her lip and pressed the gas a little harder. Her conscience wouldn't let her go more than five mph over the speed limit.

She laughed uneasily. I'm being ridiculous...I hope. She breathed deep and glanced at the clock. 9:57.

The party started at 10:00.

"The woman"--she refused to believe it was her--"said Zook was opening presents. I've got time."

She leaned back and turned the radio on.

"All alone, no one is left. The days go on, but I have no one."

Konnya screeched and turned it off. "I will not let anything happen to my family."

10 minutes and a break down later, she parked the car and jogged to the gym.

She pushed past a girl holding a wrapped box, nearly knocking her over. After apologizing, Konnya ran to her father. A yellow balloon hid his face. She briefly wondered why he wasn't using the helium tank behind him.

"Dad! You need to stop the party and send everyone home. Something bad's gonna happen."

The balloon popped in his face. He blinked and grabbed the edge of a table. "Firefly, I told you to stay home and rest." He felt her forehead. "You're warm. Feeling ok?"

Konnya pushed his hand away. "I'm fine. But if we don't leave now, everyone will die."

He cocked his head, eyes narrowing.

"I'm not going crazy, Dad. You have to believe me!"

"You're not yourself today." He fingered my hair. Maybe he had noticed its change. "After Zook opens presents, I'll take you home."

"No! That will be too late."

Dad smiled. "Go sit down, Firefly. Everything's fine." He took another balloon from the pack and started to blow it up.

Konnya set her jaw and stomped to the back room. I will not lose my family.

She rummaged through a few rickety shelves. Four bandannas, a first aid kit...didn't this place have anything useful in case of a crisis? She wished she had the Positioner.

Grabbing all the stuff in one huge armful, she rushed back into the party zone.

Zook eagerly bounced as everyone sang happy birthday. The presents piled up behind him. Konnya still regretted not getting anything for him. The off tune singing made her cringe, bringing her back to the painful reality of her mission.

Nothing looked like it could be a fire hazard. If only the reporter'd said how the fire started.

A door opened, and Mom brought in the cake on a rolling table. It seemed much too big for a nine year old and his friends, but the joy on Zook's face silenced her thoughts. She had to do something to save him.

Some odd family tradition said to put twice as many candles on the cake so the blower would get two wishes. But it also said to light the last half right before blowing them out.

Konnya dropped her load and rushed forward. No one but her was going to light those candles. She pushed her mom away from the cake.

"Give me the lighter."

"Konnya--"

"Give me the lighter, Mom!"

She sighed and handed it over.

Holding her breath, Konnya lit a candle and took it off to light the others. With one more left, she finally exhaled.

It was probably some weird daydream. My family isn't going to die.

Someone tapped her and she dropped the candle. It landed in one of the gift bags. The tissue paper began to crackle. Konnya bit her tongue to keep from screaming.

It was my fault.

She whipped around and grabbed her mother's hand. "Get Zook and River out of here now!"

Mom shook loose of her grip. "Tell everyone to back up. It's just one bag. Everything's fine, Konn."

Konnya pulled her hair. "Zook, where's River?"

"I don't know."

She tried to pull him away from the fire. "Then help me look for her!" He planted his feet and looked at the flames with admiration.

A giant lump formed in her throat. Why weren't any of them listening to her?!

She spun around, determined to make someone understand.

She searched over everyone's heads to find her little sisters. Konnya pushed people aside to get to River and Harbor. She grabbed their hands, ready to drag them out of the gym.

That's when someone screamed and the presents exploded.

Hey! Thank you so much for reading this!! It really means so much to me :) Please vote, and if you're feeling creative, I'm trying to think of a new name for this story. If you have ideas, let me know. I'm also eager to know what you think of this chapter ;)