Phoenix

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

'That was the ember that sparked the flame of a Phoenix,' I wrote in my journal. The night was calm for a Sunday night. No late night fights, protests or attacks, there had been a domestic abuse call, but Kida was closer to it than I was.

I watched as streaks of red and orange began to pierce the darkness of the night. I glanced down at my phone, 3 AM.

'How am I going to put up with Mrs. Cyrus this morning?' I asked myself knowing that she'll be worried about me making the bus. 'Even though I've taken the same damn bus for almost 7 years, she'll still fuss over it.'

I moved into their place about a week ago, Mrs. Cyrus constantly worries that I was bored or not happy. I tell her every time that I'm fine but within 20 minutes she comes back asking the same fucking questions. Mike is usually gone most of the day, he gets up around 4 and doesn't come back until around 5 pm.

'His office is the next place to check,' I mentally noted, still not finding any incriminating information on him, yet.

The soft sound of wings flapping pulled me from my thoughts. I turned just in time to see Kida's ice wings evaporate into a cool mist as she landed on the rooftop. Her uniform was a mixture of icy light blues, seafoam green, and dark ocean blues that carried all the way up to her gloves, hood and half mask. Even her combat boots were a light blue.

She took off her hard half mask that wrapped around her jaw and ears, before smiling brightly at me. She softly sat down and gave a slight laugh almost like she was hiding something before leaning in and kissing me.

Her soft lips were a delicate reminder that I was never alone. They made everything in my head stop spinning, all my attention went to her. As we pulled apart she laughed again while grabbing my right hand.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked playfully.

"No reason," she answered, her fingers intertwining with mine.

I found that hard to believe since we had to be at school in about 4 hours. I gave her a look of disbelief as she laughed again.

"I'm just happy, is that wrong?" she asked, her eyes gleaming.

"Yes it's illegal to be happy," I attempted to make a joke even though my brain wasn't functioning. She still laughed, and I joined her.

As our laughter died down her gaze fell on mine, we didn't speak. Her eyes shined so brightly in the last moments of the night. I wanted so badly to kiss her again, to feel her soft lips against mine, but the sound of helicopter pepelors caught my ears and pulled me away.

I turned and saw a police helicopter coming straight towards us. Their red and blue flashing lights were blaring in the darkness as their spotlight searched every rooftop.

"I think that's a new record for them caughting up to me," Kida noted, sounding disappointed.

"I think that's our cue to go," I said, getting up and grabbing my worn out bag.

Kida grabbed her bag as we headed for the rooftop entrance/exit. As we began descending down the dark and empty stairwell, embers formed around my body. My uniform turned to ashes before regular clothes replaced the sweat encased uniform. Frost formed around Kida's crisp clean uniform as regular clothes took its place.

We continued down the stairs until we exited the premises from the service door in the back of the building. The helicopter flew over us as we continued down the dark alleyways. Our gaze followed the helicopter as it flew on looking from building to building. I could feel a smirk taking control of my face.

'They'll spend all night looking for us and we'll be sound asleep,' I thought.

"That wraps it up for the night," Kida said, turning her gaze to me. The smirk disappeared as her words hit my ears.