Flames that Burn

The disaster begins swiftly and suddenly as she narrowly escapes with some semblance of a life.

There was nothing. It was quiet. No sounds, no lights, no pain. It was okay.

And then.. All I remember is the blur, then the light and smoke following behind it giving way to an uproar of flames. There was no beginning to this, no spark, no sense or reason. No thought or logic.

The next thing I know is I'm sitting outside, hunched over as I don't dare to look. I merely listen as the fires cackled at the panicking crowds. There's soon nothing left to save and yet sirens cry out nearby, the owners of the vehicles still attempting to save whatever's left of this forested neighborhood.

As I listen to the sounds of the people around me, in a panic, constant shouting as young kids cry, unable to find their friends and parents, conversations flowing through my ears painfully.
 "I told you to get the hose! It was right there!" An elder woman shrieks out in pure hostility. A man, sounding of similar age, darts her rage back towards her.
 "It was already too late! By time we noticed the fire, the hose was up in flames! How many times do I have to tell you this?"
In another instance, I hear a young boy crying out, looking for somebody, anybody that could possibly assist him. He's calling out as many names as he can recall, even a few that sound like the names of likely pets. I wish to help him, oh how I wish to help the poor boy. But I don't dare consider raising my head to view the destruction that will present itself to be if I do. 

 

I'm broken from my thoughts, from the sounds of the people and hellscapes behind me as I hear that someone approaches. Unlike the rest, they stop and grab at my wing and tug at it. It's as though they aren't sure if I'm even real.
Oh, please leave me to my mind.

"That's painful." Although it may have just been yesterday or the evening prior since I've spoken, my voice feels like glass at my throat.
Not a word more was uttered, and I'm swiftly left to my mind once again, to hear more the crying and shouting conversations of the people around me. 

 

I open my eyes to the ground, quickly shutting them just seeing the bright lights shown from behind me, mixing together between the sirens and flames. I shift my mind forcefully to think of the stars and moon. The constellations that waited patiently for me every night. The nighttime clouds that played for me amazing stories while beautifully lit up by the moon's grace.

For a moment, I almost forget about the irritable fires that are destroying more so than what we'd cared for. For a moment, I almost look up. I almost look up to see my dear friends of the dark violet sky.  I almost look up, opening my eyes and hearing the cries and fires, I wish I could see my friends in the sky. I'd love to know a tale from them right now. 

 

There was nothing. It was peaceful and okay. I was ready to settle down for the night and watch as the clouds and stars told me tales to give weights to my eyes, assisting me to a peaceful sleep. There was nothing. Then it was all senseless, loud, and bright. 

 

I just wish right now that I could possibly look up.  I wish I had the strength, even the smallest amount, to just simply look up. 

 

If only.  ..

Author's Note

Time finished : 12am