Awakening the Flames (a short story)

by EpicNinjaWriter in Oregon

Kaleb's puzzled mind was made even more lethargic by the toxic smoke seeping from his door. Smoke? His tired brain asked him as if through a fog. Smoke, smoke, smoke. Filling the room, flames spilling around the door. Licking at the walls, peeling paint off and spreading rapidly across the room to his bed. Kaleb shrieked in terror, clawing at the covers. He was very awake now, more awake then ever in his life before.

Flames leaped at his legs as he struggled to the window. Locked. His shaking hands skirted the glass to find the lock. It was stuck shut. Trapped. Kaleb screamed and pounded his fists on the window. He glanced behind him, seeing the fire inches from his heels. Nowhere to run. Screaming, flames and smoke roaring in his ears, fists pounding against the glass. Then the fire engulfed him.

Kaleb woke in a drenched sweat. He looked frantically around the room. No flames, no smoke. He sighed and settled back down. He brushed a lock of brown hair from his face, and that's when he saw his hands. Paler than the white bedsheets. Almost- transparent!

He fought down the terror building in his stomach. No time for panic. He had to find out what was going on. He tore from his bed, out the door, down the stairs, running and running, not caring where he was going. The door was blocked by a wisp of gray-white smoke. Fire! His brain screamed at him, remembering the horrible dream. But there was no burning smell.

"It's always like this in the beginning, isn't it?" A voice came from the door. The smoke was forming itself into a humanoid shape, more distinct now. A tall man stood before him. His voice came thundering down at Kaleb from all sides.

"You have to accept your Fate, Kaleb. Fate is what it is." Kaleb shuddered. His hands shook, his words coming out in shaky gasps.

"My Fate? Sir, I- I had a dream, a horrible nightm-"

"They always say that in the beginning. Always a dream, always a nightmare. But always the same one. It was flames, wasn't it, Kaleb?" Kaleb nodded dully. "That's the first sign. And now-" He paused, wisps of smoke forming into a trail of text that ran out of his mouth and into Kaleb's ears.

"And now, you must join us. Forget this er- life. You are one of us now."