Phoenix

Learning Control

After seeing the empty place last night, we went out into the night. There was a spot we both ended up drifting to. One that held a lot of memories for the both of us. It was a rooftop on the far edge of the downtown area. A wooden structure was still shabbily put together atop it. Some planks put up to block out the cold wind, and a couple blankets to huddle under. 

"This place...it's been so long." I felt a sad smile at where we had ended up, back where it all began. 

"I know. How old were we when we met here? Ten, right?"

"Yeah. That was nine years ago." I couldn't help but see us, two little kids huddled together under a blanket while arguing about whether or not I should try to start a small fire to keep us warm. He was worried I'd burn the whole thing down. I watched as he pulled out the blanket and lay it down on the floor. He gestured for me to sit next to him. I did.

"I want to try something, if that's alright."

"I guess so." He ran to pull out an old candle and set it down in front of me.

"Can you light it?"

"The whole thing? Sure, no problem."

"Niran, focus."

I sighed and did as he said. I let my hand sit open on my knee as I sat Indian style. I tried to will a small flame to life. Nothing. I took a deep breath and kept trying. Nothing was happening. I wondered if it would work if I got mad about something.

"Let me help." His voice was a whisper as I felt him lean closer. I didn't need to open my eyes to know where he was. Then, I felt the brush of fingers on the side of my neck. My heartbeat spiked. I tried to keep my breathing slow, but the damage was already done. Then I heard a small crackle as an ember hit my ankle. I opened my eyes to see a fire in my palm. It wasn't huge. Just about two inches high and three inches wide. It was enough though. I stopped trying to slow my heart rate. I looked over to find him smiling.

"Closely tied to emotion then. Have to work on that."

I curled in all my fingers besides the index. Taking deep breaths, I started to calm back down. The fire shrinked, but didn't go out. Tilting my hand down, it went to the end of my finger, with which I lit the wick of the candle.