Hue

seven - alex

"No one knew how powerful he was until they broke him."

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All of my life, my eyes have only been drawn irresistibly to two things. One of them was fire. I couldn't help it. I loved the flames, the way they danced and devoured. The way so few people could control of them. Controlling something as powerful as fire always gave me a feeling that nothing else could give me.

I suppose I could be considered a pyromaniac. The media has twisted what people think a pyromaniac is though. I don't always go on burning frenzies where I burn down buildings without abandon. No. The control is what I like. Slowly burning an empty building is more rewarding that quickly burning down a building full of chaos and people. I didn't just destroy though. I also saved. I liked being the only one brave enough to run into a burning building and save those in danger. I liked putting out flames that no one else could tame. In fact, my love of fire had turned into an obsession several years ago when I watched firefighters put out a large and growing fire. Their bravery and power, the applause they got afterward, I loved it all.

Turning over the lighter in my hand, I flicked the top open and a small flame ignited, lighting up the darkness. I moved my hand over the flames, feeling the warmth of the fire. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement. Looking up and holding the lighter out, I saw that it was Roman. He stumbled quickly through the darkness, tripping as he paid no attention to where everything was.

"How do you like that new lighter?" Roman asked me, now right in front of me.

I smiled in response. Snapping the lighter closed, I twisted it around in my hand and rolled it over my knuckles before flicking it open once more. "It's a lot like the one you got me a few months ago from that one pawn shop."

"The one where the owner fell asleep?" Roman said thoughtfully. "That place was easy pickings. I picked up a lot of items there. Too bad the gang keeps confiscating your lighters."

I slammed the lighter closed and glared into the darkness. I hated that they didn't let me have lighters in the gang house. I understood, though. They didn't trust me with fire after that one time. So instead, now, Roman sneaks me lighters and I stash them all over the gang house where no one but Roman and I can find them. Unfortunately, though, a few lighters do get found on accident every now and then.

In the pitch black and darkness of the attic, our phones were obnoxious as their screens lit up and they chimed, alerting us to a new text from Amos.

"Street Snakes in our territory. Load up quickly. I'll text you directions on the way. Take Silk. I'll stay behind and run things from here."

Roman and I met each other's eyes for a moment before we burst in action. Sliding my phone in my pocket, I darted through the darkness, careful to avoid all the obstacles. We thundered down the stairs where we found the rest of the gang in a frenzy. We all darted around, grabbing weapons and everything we would need. Roman and I grabbed our rifles and several clips of ammunition. I slipped on a jacket and tied a bandana around my nose and mouth. A hat was pulled down low to shroud even more of my face. Roman and I wore all black so we could blend into the shadows more. As snipers, we needed to be able to hide in the shadows above everyone so we could quietly take them out.

"Let's go!" Rocket boomed, opening the front door.

I jogged out the door, Roman following me, and we climbed into the closest van as Cooper got in the driver's seat. Cooper and Trina were most commonly our drivers because not only do they have their driving licenses, they also haven't crashed or gotten pulled over yet. I drove with Trix once, not paying attention. I still got nightmares from that horror.