Frozen Ablaze

Book One: Ch. 1

Chapter One: Ablaze
Mal's P.O.V.

My eyes met the ceiling of my bedroom, as the light of the sun engulfed in. From the blush coloured drapes that hung in front of the windows. I had awaken just before my six A.M. alarm that usually reminded me to not only wakeup. But, to prepare myself and set off punctually for the classes; I took at the local community college. I wanted to become an early child educator. I adored children and it was my dream to witness them explore, learn and develop. But today, my alarm was to prepare for the part-time cleaning job; I had at the local research centre, that specialized in astronomy. It was the only place that accepted my resumé and as much as I despised it; well I had to pay for my tuition some how.

I lay in my mattress, wide eyed, still dazed from my sleeping state, wishing I could stay home a little more than usual. I exhale brushing off the feeling, as I let my legs out of the soft covers and swing down to the hardwood floors. That my parents had recently gotten waxed.

I quickly showered, refreshened my thick curly locks, then quickly changed into the uniform required for today's activity. I made myself a cup of tea and a quick lunch as I did every morning, then headed out the door for a bus ride to the centre.

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Once I had reached my destination I followed the routine as I was trained; going through identity recognition scan, hand washing, sanitization and placing on disposable gloves. I started off my shift in the lobby of the facility as I had typically done, with a quick sweep and a mopping after, then moving on to the other departments and repeat. Before I knew it, four hours would pass, a half hour break included. It would almost be time for my shift to be over and I could finally go home.

An announcement projected through the P.A. system almost startling me; making the pace of my heartbeat quicken slightly. "Cleanup in department 05," was mentioned twice and I knew that was my cue to head over to the location referred.

I reach the area called to my attention, as a group of chatty scientists exit sporting lab coats. Resembling the feathers on a majestic flock of swans.

A young bearded man remained behind, noticing the cleaning equipment I had, and walked over to me. "Thanks for coming, theres a bit of a mess." He explains as we walk into the room, gesturing over the spread of orange sands under a large contraption.

It was nothing I had ever seen here. Reminding me that I haven't actually stepped into this department of the facility before. "No worries, I'll take care of it." I answer.

"Thanks." He replies, before stepping out of the room.

I took a broom and swept, working the sands that scattered onto the floors into the opening of the dustpan. I raised the length of black wire in my path, hearing a soft click of a switch behind me. I had realized that, it had activated the massive device that towered over me. So, I flipped the switch back down, yet the piece of machinery kept running so, I proceeded to look for an outlet that it might have been plugged into, I couldn't find such. When my attempts to power down the contraption were unsuccessful. I had decided to search for the young man I had last seen in the room.

Waves of energy danced around the contraption, the device sparked. The surge of high visibility blue light flashed across the room; resulting in a shocking bolt of immense force against my body. Colliding me with the wall and onto the floor.
The feeling of fear and distress filled within me and, as much as I wished to call for help; the words just wouldn't seem to project out of my mouth. Only to be engulfed by flames.

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Mother's P.O.V.

Something in the pit of my stomach hadn't felt right, call it motherly instinct. I have had probably called Mal's phone five times, she should have called me to pick her up from work two hours ago. I was about to head over to her place of work when I got a call from an unfamiliar number, I picked up anyway.

"Hello?" I answer. "Hello, am I speaking to the parent and guardian of Malinda Evans?" A male voice responds through the line.

"Yes, this is she." "There's been an accident in our facility regarding your daughter." He reports.

"Oh God, is she hurt?" I pace out of worry. "There was a prototype piece of equipment in our department for the study of inter-dimensional research; which one of our staff members failed to shut down properly." He began to explain.

"It is assumed that she may have triggered a secondary switch which provoked a surge within the facility." He continued.

"Provoked a surge?" I repeat. "I think you should come and see for yourself." He concludes.

"Okay, I-I'm on my way." I end the call, grab my keys and scramble to the door. I reach the main road praying that I get to my daughter on time; even if I have to over take every vehicle and bend every road regulation to do so successfully.

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Soon, I find myself at my destination anticipating my prize; solely being that I get to see my daughter. I notice a part of the building going up in smoke as I was greeted by a personnel, leading me towards an ambulance truck. That was when, I had seen my baby on a stretcher wheeled out of the facility by a set of paramedics.

They say that the first reaction is usually the correct one, and it is. I could still feel the ache I had in my chest from sobbing, committed to my memory. The amount of emotional pain at the sight of my daughter covered in multiple injuries and unresponsive; was agony. Compared to the pains of labour during her delivery. Cradling her on my chest as an infant for the first time, had made me forget all the pains of discomfort. But this, nothing could soothe me from this. I had joined her in the ambulance vehicle; wondering who was responsible for the state of my daughter. But, right now she needed me and I was willing to be with her every step of the way.

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Mal's P.O.V.

In the films when they portray the badly injured patient being rolled on a stretcher. Usually the patient is oblivious of the situation played out around them, due to their state of unconsciousness. The doctors and nurses are organized, time conserving, yet accommodating.

Well, unfortunately my experience was far from that. As I was wheeled into emergency I had drifted in and out of consciousness, much like a case of mild sleep paralysis. Almost as though my head my was unexpectedly submerged into water and; I fought with every bit of strength for a gasp of air. Then when I had finally taken that gasp of air, I immediately stepped into defense mode.

Soon the scene changed from a busy medical hallway to, a busy medical hallway now set ablaze. The intensity of emotions of fear became distracted by, the physical feeling of tingling heat from my skin. I looked down to expect the sight of my normal hands and feet, probably decorated with signs of injury. Instead, the sight of dancing flames of crimson and amber replaced my emotions of fear; with not only more fear but, confusion and guilt.

Had I done this? Had I set this bustled hallway ablaze?

I look over to the far right side, slightly relieved that there was a familiar face in the frantic midst. "Mom, what's happened to me?"