Phoenix Fire: From Witin the Flames

Take the Pain Away

Chapter 21
"Take the Pain Away"

I watch in horror as the raiders tear apart the camp, gathering up our food and clothes, taunting the girls with their underwear and tugging at the clothes. I grit my teeth and clench my hands

"Leave them alone!" I shout rushing towards Jenny and Linda who were huddled together as one of the raiders towered over them, greed in his eyes. I punch him, hard, my hand smouldering as it collided with the raider's cheek; I kick him away with superhuman strength I didn't know I had, sending him tumbling away like tumble weed. I could feel the other raiders stare at me in shock and anger, staring at the smoke rising from my hand, the small flames forming in my hair. "Stay away from us," I warned "don't make me angry. You won't like it when I'm angry!" I growled, my hair bursting into flames in warning, my eyes narrowing as they glowed like angry embers, before my hair returned to normal.

But the raider leader just smirked, "Shank, grab her" suddenly a tall lanky man grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back, my small flames extinguishing at his touch. What the?! I gasp my eyes wide feeling the raging flame in my chest become suddenly cages by an invisible force. What the hell?! How is he doing this? I grit my teeth, trying to pull away but he twits my arm more I think it's gonna break, I let out a small cry.

"Kara!" I hear Adrian call my name, trying to rush to my side but the man holding me twists my arm more and pushes me to the ground. I growl, the jaw clenched, my hands shaped into two fists, my face pressed into the ground. I couldn't use my flames; this guy could cancel out my power? How?

"Don't take another step or he might break her arm." warned the raider leader "You don't want your precious leader to get hurt now, do you?" I grind my teeth, I'm the leader? I could feel Adrian's irritation but he doesn't move "Grab the stuff and let's go" I feel Adrian's rage burn within my own heart, I try to calm him, speaking to him with my mind but it doesn't work. I hear pounding of feet as Adrian runs towards the raider leader, the raider holding me twists my arm forcing a pained cry to escape my lips. Adrian froze and a click echoed through my body.

My eyes snap wide and dart to Adrian who has a gun held to his head. Adrian! I feel the fire in my heart begin to rage, bursting forth from the invisible bubble which had been containing it turning my skin into embers the raider released me as he cried out in pain. I scramble from him and rush to Adrian, my skin cooling as I grab him and stand in front of him protectively.

"Leave them alone" I growl warningly. The gun lowers slightly, pointing directly to my forehead, I stare at him daringly, so much so that I step forwards to press the gun against my skin. I glare at the man, still holding Adrian back with one hand stretched out behind me, the tip of the middle finger pressing against his hard chest.

The raider leader laughs "I like her!" lowering the gun, laughing as he holds his stomach. "Oh, I like you sweetie. You've of a fire in your heart," he grins, moving closer lowering his face to mine "I like women with a flare." I glare at him,

"You have no idea," I growl "how much of a fire in my heart I have" I snarl, rage burning in my eyes as flames begin to lick my skin. The man pulled back as Adrian gripped my arms and pulled me towards him. Small blue flames embrace my slender frame as my anger rages, my fingers curl as a dark glare I'd never used before crosses my face. Adrian wraps his arms around my neck, resting his chin on my head, no doubtedly a daring, angry glare on his face as well as my blue flames lapped at his skin.

"Oh, I see." The leader laughs, "She's yours?" he smiles "You're both freaks?" my body tenses and Adrian holds me closer as if to say 'you're not a freak.' "We could do with some more supplies, we don't really wanna fight a bunch of kids and a lovey-dovey couple; but we can't very well leave empty handed," he cocks his head "see my problem?" I glare a dangerously poisonous glare

"Yes," I snarl "you would stoop as low as to steal from a bunch of homeless, orphaned kids to satisfy yourselves" I growl, breaking free from Adrian's hold. The leader stares at me in shock, surprised by the venom in my tone and my sudden accusation. "That's low." I sneer, standing before him, my face in his "Shows how weak you are" the other raiders snap their glare to me an angry twisted emotion crossing their faces. I feel the groups nervousness rise as they huddle together near the fire, Jamie trying to protect them.

"So, I have an offer." I leer, the leader snaps his head back in surprise; everyone stares at me in surprise. I signal him to lower his head. As I whisper into his ear his eyes wide and a grin splits across his face, my heart is racing. "What do you think? Seems fair?" I say, stepping back. I know how they will react but this is the best I could come up with without a fight breaking out.

The man smiles, glancing at Adrian before looking around at his gang still smiling "Drop the supplies, we're leaving 'em here," the gang look at each other nervously before glancing back to their leader "but we're not leaving empty handed." He grins. I glance back shyly over my shoulder to Adrian, giving him a small 'I'm sorry' smile and all he can do is stare.