The Paranormal Side

Chapter 19

"We can't treat this element like a game, okay? You have to understand how dangerous fire can be," Zach drilled, giving me his most serious expression. His eyes were wide, trying to convey to me how important it was that I got what he was saying.

"I understand. Fire bad. Much careful." My sarcasm was shaky, and I knew Zach didn't appreciate it. But what can I say? I turn to sarcasm in the face of fear.

"I want you to watch me first. Step back," he instructed. I did as I was told, shuffling backward a few steps. It surprised me when he crossed his arms over his chest like a mummy, his eyes closed with a much harder concentration then he had used with the other elements. I felt my worry start to grow as I noticed how hard he was starting to breathe. His chest rose and fell fast, his mouth open to gulp in more air. When he started to turn pink around the edges, I took a shaky step forward, my arms extended and eyes wide.

"Zach-" I started, getting ready to tell him to stop, that I was worried he was pushing himself to far. But then his eyes flew open, and I heard my gasp, but barely noticed it. The color of his eyes were gone, as were the pupils.

His eyes were alight with flame.

He uncrossed his arms and held his hands out from his body, palms facing the sky. With a great exhalation of breath, two trails of fire shot out of his palms and into the sky. I was so taken aback that I fell, the heat of his blast warming my entire body like I was sitting by a campfire.

I watched, amazed, until suddenly the trails of fire stopped, and Zach's eyes went dark again. He gave a shaky, but loud gasp.

And then he collapsed.

"Zach!" I screamed, leaping to my feet and running to where he lay, his eyes closed but his chest rising high and then back down again, taking deep breaths. I knelt beside him on my knees, my hands reaching up to cradle his face. "Zach. Zach. Are you okay? Look at me, cousin," I said, fighting to keep my voice even. His skin was burning up, like he had a fever.

I smacked him lightly on the cheek twice and his eyes fluttered open. "Katie?"

"Are you okay? What happened?" I demanded, helping him to his feet, he swayed and I steadied him by putting my hands on his arms. He blinked a couple times, still trying to get his bearings. I looked down and noticed that his hands were shaking, the veins glowing red.

"I must of...pushed myself to far," he murmured in a way that made me think he was trying to understand himself. He was clearly out of it.

"Why don't we take you back to the house? I'm sure they have an infirmary here. Do you want a wa-" I paused in the middle of my question. I was going to ask if he wanted a water, but then my gaze strayed to the remains of the packages I had blew up. Dammit, Katie.

"Let's just get you back to the house, yeah?" I said, not waiting for a reply. I slung his arm over my shoulder, forcing him to lean half his weight on me and started to head back across the field.

"No!" He protested, planting his feet. I looked up at him, exasperated. "You need to learn how to do it."

I sighed. "Zach, I can learn later. You clearly need to lie down, and we can get you some water and-"

"I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath is all. Not all of us have three times the strength of a regular witch," he said, giving me a pointed look.

"Zach," I said, showing my exasperation in my tone. He shook his head and stood up straight, his arm slipping from my shoulders. He swayed a bit on his feet, and my arms flew out to catch him in case he fell, but he righted himself, giving me a triumphant look. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, glaring.