fire

Flames licked my legs, rising as high as my stomach. The pain swelled into deep jolting tremors, then fell like waves. I stood in a fire that burned but didn’t destroy me.

Waves of heat wrinkled the air. Wavering faces in the huge darkness beyond the fire. Mother. Dad. Elyle. Jonah? Redge. Had they started the fire?

Another figure in silver robes that shook off the darkness. A woman dressed like a warrior goddess. Mur, yes, Mur would help.

Her hair was a billow of finely spun silver, her eyes the dark mysteries of shadow. When she spoke, I felt the soft, familiar breeze, so fresh, so welcome, against my searing skin. Step out of the fire.

My legs throbbed. I tried to lift my foot, but it would not budge.

I can’t.

Trapped! I was trapped. I yanked at my legs, desperate to obey Mur’s command, but I couldn’t move.

Step out of the fire!

I struggled again to take a step, then shook my head, defeated.

Mur draped red satin onto the black earth beside my fire. Mother sneered at her.

Step onto this.

I can’t.

Tears pooled in my eyes. Why couldn’t I move?

She showed me a patch of blue ice, now in place of the red satin.

Step onto this.

I looked at my feet, licked by flame, yet unblemished. Mother, Redge, the others — their faces pressed closer, gaping at my misery. I wished them away, but they stayed.

I can’t.

Step onto this.

Mur offered me a pool of aqua water.

I can’t leave my fire.

I understand.

Mur offered nothing more. She didn’t try to put out my fire. I couldn’t step out. The circle of people pressed closer. Mur threw a spray of water over their heads and down onto my feet. A brief coolness, then the return of searing pain.

Mur gave me a sad smile. A single tear wandered down my cheek then sputtered into the flames. Mur turned and walked away. I watched until the darkness swallowed her. Then my tears flowed.