Fire and Ice

Denver

My tour didn’t take very long, so I brought Emmaline back into the living room and talked with her. “This really is a nice home, thank you for letting me stay here.” Her eyes were warm, like dark chocolate. “It was my pleasure.” We sat on the couch, quiet, not knowing what to talk about. “Emmaline, what power do you have?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t too straight forward. She sighed, and closed her eyes, placing her palms towards the old wall. “I don’t like to do this much, it is very dangerous.” The wall suddenly became decorated with elaborate vines, stretching all around the room and into the kitchen. I went to touch one, but Emmaline swatted my hand away. “Don’t touch it!” She yelled, my face turning red. “If you touch it, it shall kill you.” I felt myself shudder, how could something so beautiful, be so dangerous? Emmaline put her hands down, and the vines faded away. “I have the cursed powers of nature. Not flowers, like Reuben, but dangerous things. Things that can kill any innocent person. I beg of you, never make me do that again.” I saw her shoulders fall; she seemed upset about it, like something terrible had happened because of it. I wanted to show her that her powers weren’t terrifying, I focused myself and pointed my palm towards the wall, lighting it on fire. I saw Emmaline’s eyes widen with terror. “Oh my god, Denver! What are you doing?” She started backing away. “Wait Emmaline, it’s okay.” But it wasn’t. My powers got out of control and I burnt the couch, for the second time. “NOT OKAY. REALLY NOT OKAY!” I ran around the room, trying to find a way to put the fire out when Reuben and Max ran in. “What the hell Denver! You tried to show off and burnt the couch?” Max glared at me and held up her hands, freezing the burning fire. Max turned to me and shook her head and then walked over to Reuben, lacing her arm through his. “Come on Reuben; let’s leave the screw up here to clean up his mess.” I sat on the cold floor and put my head in my hands, letting the tears roll down my face. Emmaline sat down beside me and sighed. “It’s okay Denver; I’ve messed up plenty of times too.” I stifled my sobs and looked up at her. “What do you mean?”

“It was two years ago,” she sighed and continued in. “me and Denver were in our room sleeping, our mother and father were in the living room. There was a loud bang outside and my mother cried out in fear, I woke up suddenly and raced into the living room to see what had happened. I saw a man in the corner and I got scared. I screamed and shot out my hands, my vines entangling him and suffocating him instantly. My parents slowly came out of their hiding spot and turned to me, their faces in utter horror. “What have you done?” My mother asked coming towards me, her hands clenched in fear. “What have you done to my husband? To your father?” I looked at the dying victim and recognized him suddenly, it was my father, and I had murdered him. My mother yelled at me and told me to leave the house, to never return. Reuben walked out and hid behind my mother, his eyes red with tears. “Mother, please don’t. Father was evil and you know it.” My mother turned and yelled at him, “Reuben! Be gone, this doesn’t concern you!” He started crying, “Mother no! I won’t let you kick Emmaline out when she has done nothing wrong! Father was going to kill you, let her stay mother.” We were crying, me and my brother both. My mother showed no mercy, she just kicked me out.  I was alone in the woods for months, until I found the village and changed my name; I faked my death to stay safe. I didn’t know if Denver was alive, until now. And I plan to keep him safe, no matter what happens.”

I stared at Emmaline, her eyes were red and full of pain. I wanted to hold her hand, or wrap my arms around her, but she might’ve hurt me. “Emmaline…” I began, “I know we just met but know this, I am willing to protect you and your brother, no matter what happens. I will always be here for you.” She looked up at me and smiled, her eyes glowing a bright green, like the grass on a summer day. “Denver, you’re a great friend.” She kissed me on the cheek and walked out.