Prologue

Prologue

The smoke chokes me, suffocating, dying. The hand held out to me so real. I grasp for it, straining to make contact. My lungs burn, filling with fumes. My fingers feel flesh, soft, hot to the touch. My hand grasps and yanks. I want to live, need to live. Smoke covers everything, coating the air around me like a blanket, hiding me from the world. Dragging to my feet, I put one foot in front of the other. The dark figure in front of me pulls me farther from the bright red and orange flames. They call to me, wants me to embrace them. Something inside of me wants to welcome them, to feel the flames against my skin like sweet kisses; quickly I push the thoughts out of my mind, the fear of dying over taking me. To never see my mother or father again, never meeting my baby brother… I need to live for them, for myself. I ran faster.

         Through the door down the stairs, so many flights of steps my thighs began to burn. The smoke became denser and I could make out the dull brown hair of the person in front of me. I realize automatically that it was a man, no. A boy! He couldn’t have been much taller than me, with broad shoulders and a slim figure. I did not know who he was, his hand gripped tighter around mine, smooth and soft, but strong. I could see the exit sign shining in big bold red letters, only a few feet in front of us. He charged at the door as if it was bolted shut and within three seconds we where outside.

         Cold air smacked me in the face as the door glided open. Fresh air filled my lungs, I gasped, and searing pain traveled down my throat and settled in my lungs. They felt as if they where on fire! My whole body was sweaty, my skin, a bright red some spots on my arm where black from burns, peeling back like burnt paper. I couldn’t stop shaking, tears streamed down my face. Tilting my head up I could see the boy who had saved me, he was coughing loudly then turned away form me to hurl in the bushes. I stepped back, I looked up at our building, hungry flames licked at the walls, bursting from windows. I was confused. I heard nothing, no screams or sirens, only my labored breathing and the disgusting sound of food being regurgitated. Why was no one screaming to be saved? No one to put out the flames?

         I could hear the sounds of leaves crunching as he approached me. Still, I jumped when he set his hand on my shoulder, a small throbbing pain rippled through me. We stand there. Silently watching. Turning my head I can see his eyes are a lushes green like the leaves when they are fully ripe, they are beautiful. He takes my hand in his, leading me away. The building fades into nothing, where standing in a clear patch of grass, a field. The moon casting its shadow upon us, my pain dissipates. We stare at each other for what feels like forever, his eyes gazing into mine. I look away first. I open my mouth to speak, nothing comes out. I try again… nothing. I decide to stay quit. I know what’s already going to happen, I can feel it. This has happened before. Cupping my face in his hand, he shifts my face to his. Just as our lips connect, I wake-up.

         My breathing is heavy. My body is on fire, skin coated in sweat my pajamas where sticking to me. The dream again, it never has failed to come; yet, every one was different, there where some things that never changed. No sound and always, always the kiss. The natural attraction! I never know what’s happening until the end, it always feels so real! I groaned and turned my head to look at my alarm clock, 3:45a.m. I groan again and roll over, covering my head with my blanket. Drifting off into a dreamless sleep.