A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

There's A Million Stars Tonight

Everything clicks into place. I know what I need to do. I know I promised Kellin that we would leave together, but that was a lie.

I'm not leaving this place. But he is.

"Get him out of here," I tell Craig.

"What about—" he hesitates.

"Just go! Get yourselves to safety. I'll hold them off."

"I can't—"

"Craig, please. If I don't, they'll catch all of us." I know I'm winning because his steady gaze falters. "Just go. I'll be right behind you." We both know I'm lying, though.

"Right behind me," he repeats. "Vic, I—"

"Go." He hesitates before he disappears, taking Kellin with him. I let my gaze linger on the place he just was before I take a deep breath.

"Hey!" I shout. I summon the fire into my hands, letting it roar around me. It's never been hard to summon the flames, they're always there, waiting. The guard let out yelps of surprise as I charge out, letting the fire burn. The more destruction, the better. I spread my hands in front of me, letting everything around me go up in plumes of smoke. Walls of fire rise around me. The bigger threat they see me as, the less attention they'll pay to the others. I'll give them enough time for them to escape. I have to.

For a moment, I catch my breath, staring at the flames roaring around me, crackling as the orange and red streaks toward the still dark sky, the stars gleaming behind. A strange glow surrounds the gray concrete of the facility. For once, there's color, not just a dull gray. It's strangely beautiful, I have to admit. The place that's held me captive for so long is now burning under my power.

"Vic!" I don't have to turn to know it's Kellin. I falter for a moment, fear plunging through me. He can't be here. He's supposed to be gone by now. He's supposed to be safe by now.

But I don't get a chance to turn because a stinging pain rips through my shoulder, worse than I've ever felt before. I grit my teeth to stop from crying out in pain as I make the flames burn brighter, trying to ignore the pain, but it sears through me. It feels like I'm being burned alive from the inside, but that can't be. I can't burn. Another bullet rips through my side, followed by the last one entering just below my rib cage, making me scream, the sound cutting through the crackling of flames. The walls of fire around me flicker as I sink to the ground, my blood soaking through my clothes, seeping into the grass.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the guards running toward me, most likely to finish me off, but I don't try to move. I only stare at the two figures standing near the cover of the trees.

I meet Craig's eyes, as he holds Kellin back, even as Kellin fights to free himself, screaming my name. He knows what I'm doing. He knows that it's the only way that everyone will be safe. I've never been more grateful for him that I am now. My heart breaks a little more as my gaze lands on Kellin, and he looks back at me, tears streaming down his cheeks.

And I know I should look away and make it easier for him, but I don't. I don't want to tear my gaze away. I want the last thing I see to be him. Because he's the only thing that matters. As the guards draw close to me, I let myself smile at Kellin, touching two fingers to my lips in our sign. I love you. Kellin's eyes widen, and he stares back at me before doing the same. I love you. The footsteps grow closer, and the world spins around me even though I'm already lying down. Through my tears, I see Kellin and Craig shimmer before they disappear, and I finally let myself relax. The guards can do whatever they want to me. I don't care anymore.

Kellin's free, and that's all that matters. That's all that matters to me. 

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Wow, you made it to the end! Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun writing this and I hope you enjoyed it! 

Don't panic: it's (gonna be) longer now! (sorry for the bad atl pun i couldn't help it) There is a sequel. It's called Beyond The Sea Blue Light, so check it out! Pro tip: You might want to reread the prologue of this book :)

see y'all next time! Thanks again!