Perishing Sacrifices

Perishing Sacrifices: Prologue

Anxiously my hands worked at the knob, each touch throbbing like the last. My time was running short. It seemed as though a mirage had engulfed my vision, creating a blurry glass of hysteria around me. With one last screech I ripped open the handle and instantly an array of flames engulfed me. I slashed my way back and fell to my hands in a flurry of desperation. Just like my long winding hair, the fire was stunning and flaming in color before me.

            A scream wailed throughout the house and a chill rolled down my back. With a bellow I screamed, “Mom!” No I couldn’t let this happen. My family was somewhere burning in this house and I was caught amongst them. The fire created a wall of hell, my skin burning up from the following heat. I was caught in an impossible destruction of fear.

            My heart thrumming in hyper speed as my falling drew clearer to me. I grazed along the wall hoping to find some justice in the eeriness of smoke. Suddenly the simple ability of breathing became a dying need. The walls appeared smaller, the lights appeared dimmer and I appeared pathetic.

            With a struggle I scrambled along the walls, my fingers aching for a simple ridge that could save me. My lungs ached for air as a thick settlement of smoke choked everything with ash. Through strangled heaving breaths I continued my agonizing search for a simple resistance. I couldn’t handle this anymore and soon the beat of my heart was the only realization of my existence.

            I breathed a sigh of relief when my fingers squeezed beneath the window seal and it shot up in victory. I threw my head out of the window and envied the cleanly air. When I noticed several cars passing I shouted carelessly, “Help!” I beckoned on further with my hands waving spasmodically. Beyond me was my family and I needed them more than I thought possible, the idea of living without them seemed intolerable. Craning my eyes shut, I shoved my way past the thickening smoke and darted through the fire screaming crazily.

            “Mom, Dad!” I wailed in sorrow as I threw myself forward losing my footing. Soon I was falling forward and crashing painfully several times along each ridge of the steps. With a final explosion of ash flailing around my now limp body the breath was knocked out of me. Pain radiated through my back and I suddenly became very aware of the blistering burns jutting across my body.

            I laid there in a mangled heap feeling utterly useless as the eeriness of silence whispered around me. Beyond the crackling, I knew all too well that my family’s voices had faltered. Hearing them screaming was a certain type of closure I couldn’t hide. Although they were in pain it was a reminder that they were alive, but it had quieted. Everything seemed to have quieted; I glanced around at the ruins of my house from the floor, barely noticing the ashes digging holes into my skin.

            Somewhere deep in my soul I ached for the fullness that had now been scorched from my palms. I knew they were gone and I knew if I had tried hard enough I could have saved them. I could have saved them, but I gave up hadn’t I? The dryness in the air ate up my tears before they could fall and I was glad when the darkness settled around me.

            Before long I could feel a steady pressure of warmth embracing my scarred body. Had the fire finally taken me? Was I dying? I hoped so.

            The pressure dropped and I choked when a slight force gently grazed my forehead. Not angrily or savage, but instead a pleasant gesture of compassion. Forcing my eyes open, I only saw two beaming lights surrounded by darkness. Bright emeralds and sapphires blinked before me with caution.

            Like emeralds and sapphires I was saved from the rebel.

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This piece was written by Cassy Ratcliffe, tell us what you think and if you like it fan us !!! thanks :D