Magnetic Attraction

[Chapter Three]

[Chapter Three]

Ember's Point of View

Slayton throws a small packet of cigarettes at my face the moment I step into the sunken fire pit. It's a small circle dug from the earth, then shaped with brown bricks. In the middle of the fire pit is a metal bowl filled with burning wood.

The fire licks the side of the pit and wafts through the air. It almost looks like a fire demon trying to escape the clutches of the earth. I bask in the warmth radiating from the pit vs the cold air clinging to my back.

I catch the flimsy packet of smokes before they topple to the ground. Shoving them into my back pocket, I glare at the pair of them.

We almost lost everything.

Slayton jumps from the brick wall and lands with a thud against the ground. His legs wobble and he almost ends up falling on his side. Before that happens, he regains his composure and stands.

He begins walking towards me, a crooked grin painted across his face.

"How's your girlfriend doing?" Slayton teases. "You two look very cute together."

Slayton circles me like a hawk hunting its prey. I keep my gaze focused on the fire pit. The only emotion he'll see is my anger towards his lack of work.

Ashton remains seated along the opposing wall. He blows a cloud of smoke, then coughs. The smoke disperses through the air, leaving him alone.

"She's not," I dismiss. "If we want Elias on the crew, then taking care of Elora's burnt hand is a necessity."

Slayton launches his body at mine which ends with his arm wrapped around my neck. Tugged into a deadly headlock, my face is pressed against his jumper which reeks of smoke. Slayton ruffles his fingers through my hair as he laughs.

The warm metal zipper presses against my cold cheek. It's only when he begins to turn me towards the fire pit, that my heart begins to quicken in pace. Sweat breaks across my forehead and my eyes sting from the intense heat rippling across me.

"First you kiss Elora, now you're saving her life. Ember, I think you're going soft on us." He madly chuckles.

"Don't worry Slayton, I'm not."

My fist slams into the back of his leg, which causes him to buckle. Using this weakness to my advantage, I shove his body backward which sends him falling against the wall. Slayton's body crumples to the ground, allowing me enough time to regain my composure.

I stomp my thick boot onto the upper section of his leg which is enough to cause pain, but not hard enough to crack the bone. Slayton tries to wiggle out of my grasp, so I push harder.

Slayton stops trying and flops against the ground. His gaze wanders to the starry sky above us.

"Firstly." I grab a cigarette from the box, then ditch the packet at his face. "You dared me to kiss someone while we waited for Ashton."