Children of the Myths

Fire

School had just started for me this week, yet I feel so overwhelmed already. I was swamped with class work and having a job on top of that. I decided to take a break, I need to go for a walk. Behind Ms. Acker's house is a trail through some woods. It isn't huge but it would be nice to go for a walk and take a breather. 

I began walking the trail, there is a sense of familiarity to it, but I can't quite put my finger on it. It is around 7:00 P.M. The sun begins to set. 

I wonder, 11 years ago, when my mom died, what started the fire? The police and forensics could never figure it out. It wasn't electrical, there wasn't any proof that a match or candle started it, nobody has a clue as to what started it. They say it was most likely just an accident that happened, but they have no proof! What could have started a fire like that? Or who?  

A huge gust of wind comes through, almost knocking me over. Leaves swirl around the woods, almost in a giant circular motion. It becomes ice cold. I then hear a giant screech in the air

"RUN"

Startled, I didn't hesitate. I ran, as fast as I could trying to get out of the woods. All of the sudden, it was no longer cold. It was hot, burning, oxygen depriving, fire. The woods around me were engulfed in flames. Out of no where, the trees were charred and turning black from flame. I had no where to run, it felt like my skin was melting in the flame.

...I can't breath, I...can't...breath!

My vision faded into darkness, all I hear is yelling and the loud grenade like fire crackling on the trees. 

***

I woke up, in a different place. It was bright and blinding. 

"She's awake!"

I hear someone yell, like a ring in my ear.

"Olivia? Do you know where you are?"

I can barely see and I can't bring myself to open my mouth and talk either.

"Olivia, you're in the hospital. I am a nurse here. You were found passed out in the woods behind your home." 

Passed out? What about the fire? I slowly try to open my eyes and regain my vision. I could see the nurse and doctor looking at stuff on the computer next to the hospital bed. Ms. Acker is sitting in the chair next to me. She doesn't say anything to me.

"Her vitals are normal, she's clearly fine" the doctor goes on to say to the nurse.

After about an hour I was sent home from the hospital. Ms. Acker is driving us home when she says, "So what happened." I knew she wouldn't believe me so I just said, "I don't know, I guess I just passed out." 

"I don't take kindly to liars living in my home" she snapped. What else was I supposed to say? An apparently imaginary fire started in the woods and I was engulfed in flames even though I clearly have no burn marks? I just remained quiet. 

It got me thinking though, what if this has something to do with what happened to my mom. I mean there is no way I just imagined it! I am not crazy!

Later that night I was getting ready to go to sleep, I was exhausted. I was changing my clothing when I noticed something on the back of my shoulder. It looked like a hand mark. What the hell? I looked closer in the mirror, it was a burned hand mark on my shoulder! I fucking new I wasn't crazy! Something is going on, and I need to figure out what it is. Maybe it can give me the answers I'm looking for about my moms death.

Please bare with me mom, I will find out what happened to you. 

***RING***

My phone is going off, hmm a random number? I reluctantly answer, "Hello?"

"Hi, uh is this Olivia?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

"Umm it's Tyler..listen I want to apologize."

Great, toolbag somehow got my number, "Listen, I don't really care okay? Maybe you should go call your girlfriend and apologize to her. You two clearly have some serious problems that I really want no part of."

He paused before answering, "She isn't my girlfriend anymore, just has a hard time accepting that."

"Righttt...." I say sarcastically. 

"She really isn't, but that isn't why I called. I'm sorry for being an ass, I just...I wasn't thrilled about some random new girl filling the vacant position at the diner" He quietly said.

I was confused so I asked, "Okay but why?"

"My sister, used to work there with me. It was like a small family. She is..gone now. I just wasn't ready to see someone random fill that position" He was quiet when talking.

She's gone? Wait did she really just move or is she.... "I'm sorry okay, I had no intention of taking someones spot or replacing anybody okay? How am I supposed to know?"

"I know I know, that's why I'm apologizing. It wasn't fair to take something out on you when you can no control of it and didn't even know. So I'm sorry" He responded, his apology seemed genuine. I didn't want to carry on this conversation anymore, or this stupid petty shit at school either. I just said, "It's okay". We both came to and understanding and hung up. 

That was pretty random, I don't even know how he got my number. Oh wait, of course, work. I really wish Mary wouldn't go around giving out my contact information. Today was truly an exhausting day. 

I fall asleep, and am forced into darkness. I must be dreaming again, but wait? I know I'm dreaming? This feels odd, I can still feel my body in bed but I can't move. I try to yell out or move my finger but my body is already sleep, my mind however is not. 

I am in a dark abyss, I see nothing but a person in the distance? I let my curiosity get the best of me and I slowly begin walking closer. I can see more of who it is as I reach closer and closer. A woman, long dark hair, pale, skinny, ghostly looking. Mom.

I finally reach her, I want to reach out to hug her, her back is facing me. I then yelled, "Mom?" Quickly she turned around, with a scared look, "Liv?! What are you doing here! You shouldn't be here! Please stop looking for answers you aren't going to find!" I was hurt, broken even. It's been 11 years and she tells me to turn back?! 

"What about the letter you sent me! You basically told me to keep going!" She looked down, sorrow filled her face as I said those words. 

"Liv, that wasn't me. Please you don't understand. They'll kill you if they find you! Just like they did me. Please don't come back here. I love you very much. This is a place you won't understand. This is so much more than you think, you don't deserve that burden!" She yells at me, startling. 

"But I love you!" I cried. 

"I love you too darling..." She responded softly. 

Suddenly the atmosphere changed, there was a giant gust of wind. 

"You must leave! She is coming!" My mom yelled.

"Who is coming? Mom please come back!"

She gently grabbed my face and whispered

"I can never come back. Please return. Never look back before they hunt you down".