The Family Curse

Chosen

    The last two days were a blur, Blaze had spent every last moment with his parents and his closest friends. He tried to say his goodbyes, just in case he didn't come back home, but his parents refused to listen. 

    Bright rays of sunlight drifted through the open curtains, warming Blaze's tanned skin. Rolling over, the sun shone directly on his face and he squeezed his eyes shut. Covering his face with a pillow, Blaze scooted down under his warm covers and tried to drift back off the sleep. Seconds later his eyes flew open as he stared at the ceiling. 

   "Damn it," he whispered, "today is the day."

   Slowly crawling out of bed, Blaze made his way to the bathroom. He turned on the hot water and slipped off his pants while he waited for it to heat up. He stepped under the hot stream of water and just let it run over his head. There was something oddly comforting about standing under the stream, not focused on anything but the warmth it gave. 

   After finishing his shower, Blaze emerged from his room in his nicest suit. His parents are standing at the island drinking their morning coffee while Aria butters a slice of toast. They are all dressed in their nicest clothes; Matt's suit is smooth and elegant, Reagan's dark purple dress makes her look powerful, and Aria's floral dress adds a touch of softness to the group.

   "I haven't seen that suit since you graduated," Matt commented, eyeing Blaze from head to toe.

   "I'm surprised it still fits so well," Blaze tried to joke but the mood was off. "We should get going. The faster we get there, the faster we can get this over with." His voice was tight, full of tension.

   With that everyone left the apartment, Blaze made sure to tuck a key under the mat just in case he didn't return. The drive to the abandoned warehouse was short, shorter than he ever could have imagined. It was already filling up with the rest of the family. Once inside, the children had to stand in line to wait for Aronin.

   Parents tried to hide their sobs while the older kids tried to comfort the crying, younger ones. Blaze shifted uncomfortably in his spot, his eyes taking in every movement in the room. Waiting for the warlock to arrive was possibly the most stressful thing he had ever done, the uncertainty of it all. Kneeling down, he took a small shaking hand into his own and rubbed it gently.

    "It's going to be okay Lilli, I won't let anything bad happen to you," Blaze's voice was soft and comforting. 

    "You promise?" Lilli questioned. The scared look in her eyes made Blaze's stomach flip.

    "Of course sweetie, I would never lie to you," he whispered into her soft curls, pulling her tiny frame into a hug. 

    Blaze sat in the floor and took Lilli into his lap, they rocked back and forth slowly, quietly humming to themselves. He knew this wasn't what they were supposed to do, but at this moment it didn't matter. All Blaze cared about was comforting a four-year-old little girl that was terrified.  

    After what felt like years, Aronin finally appeared in a cloud of green smoke. A collective gasp sounded throughout the room and Blaze's anxious eyes searched the room for the warlock. He saw the warlock standing nearly five feet away from him, eyeing him and Lilli was a curious look. Blaze shot to his feet, holding tight to Lilli's hand. Aronin moved closer to the line of children.

    Blaze took this moment to take in the appearance of the stranger. He had heard about this ancient warlock for as long as he could remember, he was half expecting a hunched over old man with white hair and a long beard. Instead, he was staring at a man that couldn't be older than 25 years old with jet black hair. His clothes were dark and form fitting. His skin was a flawless rich bronze and he seemed to emanate power. 

   Aronin examined each person in line, starting at the end farthest from Blaze. Blaze leaned forward and watched him as he held his hand next to a small child's forehead; green sparks seemed to fly between his hand and the child. After a few seconds, Aronin moved to the next child in line. As Aronin moved down the line, Lilli started to squirm and Blaze's throat began to tighten.

    Within minutes, Aronin was standing in front of Lilli as she was squeezing Blaze's hand as hard as she could. Blaze started to pull her closer to him, to shield her from Aronin, when Aronin's eyes found his own and he stopped. They stared at each other for a moment, eyeing the other was a look neither could read. 

    Aronin broke the stare, lifting his hand to Lilli as the sparks drifted towards her head. Her hold on Blaze tightened but she did not cry out, she was not in pain. Aronin stepped away from Lilli and now stood directly in front of Blaze, his hand in front of Blaze's face. The sparks flew towards him, when they touched his breath caught in his throat.

    Images of his childhood played through his mind. Everything he ever remembered seeing, even this very event, played in his mind like a movie. Aronin lowered his hand and stepped back; Blaze gasped for air. It felt like he had been holding his breath for hours. Aronin strode to the center of the room and stared out. He opened his mouth to speak, yet stayed very quiet. 

    "You." Aronin barked and snapped his fingers. There was only a second before the green smoke surrounded 'the Chosen'. A shrill cry came from behind the line; a sound that made you want to throw up.

    "Blaze, I'm scared." A small whisper came from beside him. Lilli's hand had tightened on his again and he looked down with sorrowful eyes. 

    "I know baby, but it'll be okay. Don't worry, everything is going to be just fine I promise. I love you Lilli-Pad," Blaze whispered back. He leaned down and kissed her small hand as a tear escaped his eye. He had to pry his hand loose from the little girl.

    Blaze stepped forward from the line and the green smoke followed him. He could hear his mother now, it was her cry that he had heard a moment ago. He could see Aria racing forward but he shook his head and she stopped in her tracks. Looking out at his family made his heart hurt; knowing what was to come and that he would never see them again. 

    A small smile touched his lips but Aria just stood there crying; his mom was bawling hysterically and his dad had silent tears rolling down his cheeks. "I love you all" he mouthed to his family, he tried to speak but no sound could escape.

    A strong hand touched his shoulder and Blaze heard the indistinct sound of snapping fingers before he was enveloped in green smoke. It was different this time, he felt like he was floating. "No not floating, disappearing" he thought. 

    In the blink of an eye Blaze was gone... he had been Chosen.