Cerulean Flame

Hazel sat comfortably on the couch of her childhood home drinking a cup of hot chocolate, a light smile painting her face as she looked around the familiar room. It had been a while since she had the chance to come home, overwhelmed with work and her relationship. It was the first time in a while that she had felt so at ease. Her younger sister, Kathrine, was off in her room, her friends from school having just arrived for a sleepover. Hazel hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to her much since arriving, though she wasn’t surprised. Hazel had left home abruptly a few years ago, just after her twentieth birthday. It had been four years, but Kat had held a grudge. The last time they spoke was just a brief phone call a few months back, and Kat had voiced her feelings of betrayal and abandonment. Hazel hoped that during her stay, the two could reconnect and put the past behind them. Her leaving had nothing to do with Kat, and if it had been up to her, she’d have taken her along, but those were things she could explain later. Light footsteps sounded and Hazel saw her mother emerge from the kitchen. Her mother’s face lit up into a smile as she walked over to the couch and took a seat next to Hazel, her warm hand resting on her eldest daughters leg. “Hi sweetheart. Sorry I was gone so long! Time got away from me.” Her mother, Lily, laughed. “That’s okay, mom. I’ve just been relaxing. What have you been up to?” Hazel asked, sipping her drink. “Oh, well I went and ran a few errands and dropped some food off to your father. He misses you, you know? I know you two had your differences but I think you should see him.” Lily said softly. Hazel’s jaw tensed at the mention of her father. The thought of him put a bitter taste in her mouth, but as she looked at her mother she saw how tired she was. How the lines on her face had grown deeper, how her skin had collected spots with age. Her mother was a saint, a woman full of love and warmth and kindness that just radiated from her. While Hazel had no desire to think of her father, let alone go visit, if her mother wanted it, then she would. Only for her. “Okay, ma. Next time you go, let me know. I’ll come with you.” Hazel smiled and Lily wrapped her in a tight hug. “Oh thank you! You don’t know how much that means to me! And your father, too. I know you’re probably still hurting, but he’s trying to change. I know it’s hard to believe, but he is a good man and he loves you very much. He’s getting better, a little bit every day.” She said, eyes twinkling in a mix of joy and sadness. Hazel nodded, conflicting emotions swirling inside of her that she didn’t dare to voice. “Oh, I almost forgot! I was asked to go out tonight for a girls night! I know Kat has all of the girls over, and is plenty old enough to look after herself, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind watching them. I thought maybe it’d give you a chance to talk.” Lily said. “Oh, yeah sure mom. I can do that. What are you guys going to do?” Hazel asked, almost laughing at the way her mother clasped her hands together in excitement. “We’re going to go see the “Nutcracker” at the theater and then stop for some dinner and drinks. I couldn’t believe it when they called and asked me to go, it’s been years since we were all able to get together!” Her mom laughed, before turning to Hazel and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’m going to go get changed and I’ll leave some food money on the table for you guys. If you need anything, just call me.” Hours had passed and Hazel hadn’t seen her sister or her friends except when the pizza was delivered. They had loaded up and scuttled back off to Kat’s room. Hazel sat in the living room in her pajama’s binging movies and playing on her phone. She had been texting with Nick, who as of two weeks ago was now her fiancé. She had told her mom about the engagement over lunch when she first arrived, and she had been so happy for her. She had met Nick six years ago during her senior year of high school. They had been good friends for a little while before they began dating. When she had moved out, he was the safe place for her to go. He was stable and it felt like he had always been there. Nick was comfortable. She never had to worry, he always had his feet on the ground while her head was in the clouds, but they worked well together. Her kept her grounded and she gave him the unexpected. He had been a nice change of pace. Growing up she had issue after issue, Nick felt like the first good thing that really happened for her. She was thankful for him, and she loved him, but she always felt a sense of worry in her heart. What if there was something more? What if content wasn’t enough? Her friends talked about passion, about lust and desire. Her and Nick had never really had that. They sort of just fell together comfortably from the start. It wasn’t wild or spontaneous, and Hazel didn’t mind, but sometimes she wondered if she should. It was unfamiliar to her, so she supposed she couldn’t miss what she’d never had. Her musings were cut short but the sound of glass breaking from down the hall. She hopped up from the couch, running to her sisters room and threw open the door. The girls sat in a circle, the room darkened except for the dull glow of candles littered around the room. Hazel rolled her eyes and began marching over to the lamp across the room, but as she walked through the circle she hissed in pain as she stepped down on the glass that had broken. One of Kat’s friends quickly jumped up and turned on the light, gasping at the sight of the blood running from Hazels foot. “What are you doing!?” Kat yelled, jumping up. “What am I doing? What are you doing!? Having some kind of cult meeting in here? s**t-why are you guys crowded around some broken glass?” Hazel said, bending over to inspect her injured foot. “It’s none of your business! Now can you go?” Kat huffed, crossing her arms as her friends all shifted awkwardly at the interaction. “No! Someone could have got hurt! I’m not going anywhere until you get this cleaned up.” Hazel said sternly. The girls quickly began cleaning up, while a few others brought over the first aid kit as requested. While Hazel was wrapping her foot, she looked around the room for what must have been the first time since she left. Last time she had been here, it had been mermaid themed. Now it seemed to be more along some type of punk or gothic aesthetic, not that hazel minded. It was only when her eyes drifted along the floor did she notice something that she did mind. With the girls in the room cleaning she hadn’t noticed the floor before they threw the rug down, but now with just a few left, she notice it looked like something carved in the wood. She flipped the rug back and revealed some circle full of lines and symbols etched all around it that looked like it had been pulled from an episode of Supernatural. “Stop! Put the rug back!” Kat’s voice rang out as she entered the doorway. “You really are doing some cult activities, huh? Does mom know this is here?” Hazel asked exasperated. “No! And please don’t tell her!” Kat begged, tears in her eyes. Hazel looked back at the floor and then to her sister. She had wanted to reconnect, and groaned inwardly at the knowledge that if she told her mom, that door would probably be closed. She sighed, kicking the rug back into place and shaking her head. “I won’t tell her.” Hazel said. “No, please! I’ll do-wait what?” Kat asked confused. “I said I won’t tell, but if mom finds it, don’t tell her I knew about it. And you owe me one.” Hazel gave a pointed stare, before they both gave a laugh. Kat smiled, ushering the girls back in to watch some scary movies before bed, while Hazel made her way to the guest room to get some sleep. Hazel bolted upright, waking from a nightmare that was already fading from her mind. Beads of sweat rolled down her neck and back,and her chest heaved with heavy breaths. She pulled the covers off of her overheating body, letting the cooler night air settle over her. She place bare feet on the cold wooden floor and pushed herself to stand, exiting her room to make her way to the kitchen for some water. All of the lights in the house were off, save for a few nightlights here and there. She noticed her moms room was empty and checked her phone, seeing a text that she’d gotten a room with her friends at a hotel, too drunk to drive home. Hazel sent back an “okay, I love you.” And grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She leaned with her back against the counter, the cold beverage doing it’s part to help her cool down and feel more alert. It was only then she noticed a light flickering beneath the basement door. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she walked over to it quietly and pulled it open. A blue glow lit the stairwell, but she couldn’t see past the wall at the base of the stairs. She turned beside her and threw on a pair of her moms slippers before making her way down. As soon as her foot touched the basement floor, the blue light faded out and she was left in darkness. She felt her heart hammer in her chest as fear finally reached her. She had thought maybe some Christmas decor was left plugged in, but now surrounded in darkness, she got chills at the eerie feeling around her. Heated skin was no longer an issue, the basement felt freezing against her bare legs and arms. She made the decision to leave, whatever she saw wasn’t there now and that was good enough for her. She started back up the stairs, ready to lock the door and crawl back into bed, when the blue light filled the stairwell again. She stopped and her head spun to look back over her shoulder. She growled, racing back down the steps only for the light to die off immediately again. She turned on the flashlight on her phone, shining it around the room as she made her way around the wall. The basement was empty. From behind her, she heard the door to the basement creak and shut. She froze in place, her hand shaking as it held her phone. She heard something scrap across the floor and spun with her light to find something. The light on her phone flickered as she heard a breath come from directly behind her. She twisted around and blue eyes watched her through the darkness. She gasped, unable to find her voice to scream. She wanted to run but was rooted to the spot until the eyes shifted, drawing closer. It gave her a push and she ran toward the stairs, but a wall of cerulean flames burst to life before her. She skidded to a stop, falling against the rough pavement below. She scrambled to collect her dropped phone and lifted it back in the direction of the eyes. Nothing. She looked back and the fire was gone too. She lifted herself off of the floor, giving one last glance around before rubbing her head and going back to the stairs. As she shined her light up the stairs, it revealed a man at the top, electric blue eyes watching her. She cried out, turning to run but colliding with something instead. Her eyes shot up and looked at the man, who seconds ago was on the stairs behind her. “How-what-I don’t understand.” She whispered, backing away slowly. His face was hard to see, but his eyes held a mix mirth and annoyance. “You summoned me.” He said, matter-of-factly. His voice was deep with a rasp. He stepped closer into the light and you were able to see him better. His skin was pale, almost sickly so, but grayish black veins were lightly visible on his arms and hands. His fingers blackened at the tips. He had scars littered around his arms and torso, as well as a faint one that ran across his lips. Black hair and dark circles framed his eyes, making them seem even more intense. “Summoned you? What are you, a demon?” Hazel laughed nervously, taking a step back. “Yes. Exactly that, princess.” He said, tone mocking as he stepped forward. His hand snapped forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him. She felt her skin crawl at the sensation, beyond creeped out at this point. “Let go. What do you want?” She said, her voice wavering. “That’s what I should be asking you. It was your blood that called me here. I’m bound to you.” He growled. Hazel shook her head, mind twisting, overwhelmed. She slapped his hand away and ran up the stairs, only throwing a glance over her shoulder as she reached the top to find the basement dark and empty once more.