Embers

So... Here I am. Standing outside in the warm summer air, watching the orange flames lick up in front of me, listening to the crackle of wood and the occasional pop of plastic or glass. Soot is smeared on my face, all my makeup has been sweat off, my hair is a tangled rats nest, my nails have been broken off, and my dress. Oh god, my dress. The original light blue dress is now spotted with soot, mud is caked onto the bottom, and there are rips and tears all throughout the silky fabric.
To make matters worse, or better, I still haven’t decided, Jeff and Noah are standing on either side of me, watching the golden embers spark to life, fluttering down to the ground.
Jeff is covered in sweat, so is Noah. Noah is panting, while Jeff tries to hide his anxiety attack. Noah pushes his hair back, away from his eyes. There’s that scar again. That pale, shiny scar, splitting through the top of his forehead and reaching down to his eyebrow. Jeff sputters a cough, hoping to spit out the rest of the smoke.
“So, this is it?” He asks, rubbing his eyes.
Noah glares at him, wafting the smoke away from his nose.
I find myself speaking before they have a chance to start bickering again. “Maybe. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow in the telegram.” I croak, my voice scratchy from the smoke.
Everyone remains silent. There’s nothing left to be said. It’s all done.
It’s over, but this is how it started.