The Fire Within

Another Life

Cirice woke with a start, the bright morning light blinding her momentarily. She squeezed her eyes shut, new sounds and smells bombarding her senses. She slowly peeled her eye open, a white, clean room staring back at her. Slowly, she pushed herself up, looking around the room. It was modern but modest, the only reason Cirice knew it was hers was thanks to her name in letters on the wall.

She pushed back the thick down blanket and stood, looking around the room. Elements of life suggested that she did live in this room, but all she could remember was everything before waking up. She caught her reflection in a floor-length mirror. She looked the same, her hair in a messy ponytail. Cirice bit her lip and raised her shirt, remembering exactly where the dagger had pierced her skin.

Peach, raised skin echoed the injury--having long since healed. Music sounded from further in the house and Cirice jumped. She rushed from her room and into a hallway, finding stairs and descending them tentatively. Downstairs, an open floor plan revealed a living room, dining room, and kitchen. She descended the rest of the stairs, walking towards the sound of music and tapping.

She turned the corner, gasping in surprise as her father looked up at her. He wasn't in his usual makeup, instead, he stood bare-faced at the stove, tending to eggs. He looked up at her and smiled, stopping his humming.

"Morning," he muttered, taking a sip of his coffee. Cirice gasped again, rushing forward and capturing him in a bone-crushing hug. Tobias gasped in surprise, extending his arm to avoid spilling anything on her.

"You okay, honey?" he asked as Cirice pulled away, basking in his familiar scent. She shrugged.

"I had the craziest...dream," Cirice said softly as he watched her. She took a seat at the island as he pushed a cup towards her.

"The Vale?" he asked softly as Cirice brightened. So it had been real! "Sometimes I remember too,"

Cirice's heart and mind raced with questions as her father served her breakfast. She ate, watching his every move and savor his company. Ever fear she had in those last few moments was gone. He was here, they were together. The only thing she could possibly want more was Alex. Cirice sighed and finished her breakfast, her father watching her.

"What about the Cardinal? Is he--is he here too?" Cirice asked, her throat dry. Tobias shook his head.

"I don't think so," he replied as Cirice sighed in relief.

A knock sounded at the door, Cirice jumping. Her father raised his eyebrows, a mischevious glint in his eye.

"That must be m prospective guitarist. Would you let him in, I gotta go floss." Tobias said as Cirice frowned. Guitarist? Shaking her head, she stood, her father disappearing down a hallway. Cirice lumbered over to the door and sighed, pulling it open.

Her breath caught in her throat and it took everything in her not to cry out in joy. There, standing in front of her was Alex. He watched her with a confused gaze as she smiled at him.

"Uh, I'm looking for Tobias Forge? I must have the wrong address," Alex said, starting away.

"No, no, no!" Cirice cried, Alex taken aback by her eagerness. "This is right, come on in."

Cirice opened the door wider and he stepped in. She lead him to their left where a comfortable living room sat. He took a place on the couch and her on a chair.

"He'll be right out," she added as she watched him. She wondered if he knew who she was, her heart aching as she recalled for the first time what it must have been like for him all those years he watched over her. Alex sat with his elbows on his knees, glancing around the room.