Kismet: The Fire Within

Chapter 4

A thundering applause rumbles in my ear drums. It makes my eyelids flutter. As I open them, three blurred faces are above me.

One of them stretches their fingers out and gently strokes my cheek. They're soft and slender.

He's waking up sweetie', says a sweet voice. It has an angelic quality to it.

'Thank Adranus', responds a cheerful man, 'I've always had a soft spot for that kid.'

I know that voice. My senses are now clear.

To my right is Violet D'angelo or who I like to call 'Mama Raven'. Her long curly is black with a hint purple. A petite nose sits perfectly in the middle of her face and her skin is the colour of a dark coffee. Her big green eyes and kind smile are always reassuring. 

In the middle is Jeri D'Angelo. His tan skin contrasts the blonde dreadlocks sprouting out of his head. It's matched by the clump of matted hair dangling from his chin. His blue eyes are naturally squinted and his nose is slightly crooked. As usual he looks bedazzled. Some may call him a simpleton but there's no shame in enjoying the small things in life.

 And to my left is a goofy grinning, woolly haired thing called Jaiden.

'Thanks Jeri', I mutter. I sound like a frog with a bad cold.

I suddenly have the urge to cough. My body sparks back to life as if I were a Machine that has been turned on. I sit up and let spit fly out of my throat. It lands on a sandy substance near my kneeeaving a dark patch amongst an abundance of tan.

Reality finally hits me with the heat of Adranus's flame.  

I look over Jeri's shoulder. Carbone stands there with his nose turned up at me, impatiently tapping his wrist. The sight compels me to turn to my right.

I'm met with hundreds of frowning red robed people. All of them silent, waiting in anticipation for the next ceremony to continue; all waiting for Carbone's command.

I notice a woman who's holding a girl. She shakes her head at me and covers the girl's eyes. It's ironic when spurts of random violence are deemed acceptable. Too many knocks to head must have damaged that poor woman's brain.

'Nice one', snorts Jaiden.  'You really are a class act'.

'Like how I just fainted in front of hundreds of people?', I reply with cheek. 'That takes effort you know'.

 Jaiden flashes a smile. He grabs my outstretched hand and pulls me to my feet.

I don't care he left him or the fact I embarrassed myself in front of a crowd of brutes. It's just good to see my best friend again. What makes it even better is I'm surrounded by my second family.

 'It's good to see you again, heck kiddo you had me worried', says Jaiden.

 'Well I wasn't worried' butts in Jeri, 'he has the strength four mighty ox'

 'Why four darling? Surely one would be enough', asks Violet in a sweet manner.

'No reason, shrugs Jeri, 'it's just my favourite number.' He voice wavers the way a teenage does as it learns to find its adult voice.

 Violet softly giggles. 'Four it is then.''

 'Excuse me', call outs Carbone from the other side of the stage, 'we are middle of the most important ceremony of the year.' His eyes leer at me. I can tell the fake demigod is trying to electrocute me.    

 'Relax Jude you'll be ready soon, won't you?' She touches my forearm and shows me a small smile.

 I try to give her reassurance but all I can do is grind my teeth on my bottom lip. The nervous swirls in the pit of my stomach are stronger than before. I know it's inevitable but I wish I had more time. Fainting has only prolonged my kismet.