Etienne

The Light

 Milo's body was scorched and he needed time to heal which wasn't going to happen. The remnants of his house smoldered around him and the sun was going to be rising soon. More than that though Marisol lay unconscious in his arms. He too was badly burned, but he was not going to survive. He needed to find Etienne. What happened? Marisol screams were what awoken him and by that time smoke and flames filled the room, engulfed his whole house. The fire had been overwhelming, to say the least, and frankly as much as he wanted there wasn't much he could do.

The crisp air was a nice welcome but did little to soothe Milo's charred skin nor Marisol's body. Milo trudged through his pain not entirely sure where he was going but pushing forward anyway. He had to find Etienne. Where was Etienne in all of this? He walked until he saw a faint light. It bounced around in the distance and Milo had no idea what it was, but he focused on it nonetheless and moved in that direction. His injuries slowed him down, but he kept his determination up until he got to the light.

It was overwhelmingly beautiful. Something he had not seen on earth before. He stared at it in awe for a moment forgetting the agony that he was in to appreciate the magnificence of it all. It wasn't until the light floated down to the ground low enough for Milo to catch a glimpse of the body that snapped him back into reality. He wailed loudly dropping down to his knees. He gently set Marisol on the ground and pulled Etienne's body into his lap, tears spilling down his face. He had not experienced pain like this in lifetimes. His old wounds had long ago since healed over and time had clouded his memories as best as it could. This was fresh and seemed alien to him though he let it take him over.

As his wails got louder and louder the light got closer and closer to him until finally when he looked up the light was right in front of him. He stared memorized by it once again and it came even closer until it wrapped around his body consuming his whole being and blinding him for a moment. When he opened his eyes he was no longer in the forest.  He was surrounded by the white light now and he could see Etienne in the distance.

"My darling," He cried holding out his arms to welcome her in a hug.

"My sweet Milo," Etienne said sounding very different yet somehow the same.

"Please, my darling it is not your time yet."

She was closer to him suddenly, reaching out and touching his cheek with the familiar yet unfamiliar hand.

"It is my time. You have given me a great life. One far better than I could have imagined."

He reached up touching her hand and closing his eyes.

"I'm not ready to lose you."

"Are you really ever ready to lose somebody?" She asked.

She placed her other hand on his cheek. She looked him in the eye, leaning forward she kissed his lips and rested her forehead on his.

"Remember the promise you made. Protect Marisol no matter what it takes."

"The fire though and me...I am not at my full strength."

"Why do you think I am here? I couldn't leave you in that state. You are truly destined for this world and to make a difference."

She wrapped her arms around him squeezing him tightly.

"Never forget," She whispered.

"How could you even think that possible?" He replied a smirk crossing his face.

"Time. Remember?"

She pulled back looking into his eyes.

"Goodbye, my love. May we see each other in my next life."

Milo opened his eyes the sun spilling beams on him through the trees. He was sprawled on the ground next to Marisol and Etienne's bodies. He was no longer in agony, his skin no longer charred. He couldn't believe it. To feel the warmth of the sun was a miracle. He didn't bask in the impossible long though as he refocused on Marisol, who was laying on the ground his chest barely rising now. With only the slightest hint of hesitation, he leaned down biting into the neck of the young man. He writhed in pain for a moment and eventually fell still.