The Darker Side Of Me!

Chapter 21 - Flaming Release...

Skye glared at the lit candle that Tori left before she and Lez retired to bed. He watched the naked flame danced as his breath reached the waxy sculpture. The radiance of the flame lit up its surroundings and the near objects caused shadows to appear on the adjacent walls of the lounge. Shadows that seemed to have emerged from the depths of hell. Just as warped, just as distorted as Skye's inner demons.

Kneeling next to the light source Skye's face illuminated, his skin appeared as bronzed as ever and his hair aglow with a luminous orange. His bright eyes pierced through the amber glow, the twitching spark reflecting in his irises.

Fascinated with the melting wax, Skye saw a droplet fall down the shaft of the candle. He caught the droplet with his index finger. It burnt but it felt good to him. As Skye caught more burning waxy droplets, a dark thought came to his mind. What will the actual flame feel like?

Sweat trickled down the back of Skye's neck while he hovered a hand over the flame, the heat already burning his palm. Sweat dripped down his face and spine as he dared to lower his hand closer and closer to the oncoming flame. Skye bit his lip and closed his eyes tight when his fingers met with the tiny blaze. The pain of the flame was almost unbearable, a searing heat which slowly scolded his skin as his hand shook in the fiery embrace. Skye winced but, as always, the pain also brought him a sense of relief. It removed a dark cloud from his brain which was filled with horrendous memories that he would much rather forget.

Skye held his hand into the flame for several seconds before tearing it away due to the intense pain. Letting out a herculean gasp, Skye examined the damage that the flame caused. His index finger, middle finger and top of his palm were red raw. The smell of his own burning flesh tingled his nostrils and the pain throbbed throughout the rest his body. Still looking down at his injured hand, he raised himself to his feet and gradually reached the kitchen sink. Skye ran the tap so that it was running cold then dipped his wound into the water. His skin crackled under the water and he noticed a small amount of blisters forming.

Skye switched off the tap and moved backwards until he could feel the kitchen counter come into contact with the small of his back. The cool smooth surface relaxed him. He tilted his head so that his eyes were directed towards the trim of the wall. Skye focussed on that area trying to clear his thoughts. He had been recently thinking of a certain young female that he had been running into everywhere. It was as if she was following him. As if she knew exactly where he would be. 

Skye tried to forget about the big brown eyes that always lingered in his direction. He had almost touched her inappropriately the last time they had met but he couldn't let that happen. She was young. Too young.

Skye didn't know how long he was standing on the edge of the counter gazing at the wall but  he figured that he needed to move. He allowed himself relax, his muscles aching from the tense position he was standing in. He strolled over to the candle which was nearly burnt to its core. He blew it out, shrouding himself in darkness. Darkness suited him. Darkness was ever-present in his burdened soul. 

Suddenly realising he was exhausted, Skye finally retreated to his bed although he was fully aware that he would have yet another restless night.

The darkness and demons of the night did indeed come for Skye throughout the night. Beads of sweat formed on his chest as he tossed and turned violently. He finally sat bolt upright in his bed fiercely panting. His heart was racing. Sheets clung to his mostly bare body, sweat acting as a form of glue.

Skye laid with his eyes wide open when he eventually relaxed inside his bed. He didn't get enough sleep due to his recurring nightmare along with his insomnia. He was laid staring at the ceiling tightly clutching his phone with his sore burnt hand while other was propping up his throbbing head. God only knew how long he had been laying in one position. Skye tried to move but his body wouldn't listen, it had stiffened in one place. His muscle's felt like concrete.