Sisters of Ruin

Home again

Home againThe house burned. The roof had caved in taking a side wall down with it, scattering debris and fire onto the driveway and the garage. Fire with a life of its own jumped and danced hypnotically not allowing Ellie to glance away, even for a moment. As the flames consumed the wreck of her home Ellie closed her eyes briefly and saw a wall of turbulent orange whipping wildly about her. Nothing was recognisable. Rooms were now mere containers of destruction. Furnishings if not ablaze had already been consumed by the fire. Ellie's vision shifted forward towards a small opening above and she recognised what was left of the stairs. They were now impassable, filled with the destroyed remnants of the roof itself. The image flickered into darkness as Cole blinked while continuing his search of Ellie's house. Safe from fire the red dragon had charged without thought or command towards the blazing house on arrival while Ellie had collapsed to her knees on the street. Fire not only raged in front of her but around the small village. Fire engines dispatched to deal with the inferno had met with disaster and sat smouldering in the road, overturned, their own fires dying quickly, their fuel tanks already consumed in what must have been a series of devastating blasts. Smaller fires set in seemingly random spots throughout Ellie's home village were gaining in intensity and Ellie was dimly aware of the multitude of screams around her.

Cole's eyes latched onto a strange mass in the kitchen and she felt her dragon's hesitation. She opened her eyes, squinting them against the orange fury in front of her, not wanting to see but needing to know.

Cole. Please, for me. She pleaded. Cole didn't respond but their joining allowed Ellie to experience the dragon's emotions as he moved deeper into the wrecked house.

Disbelief! Shock! Disgust!

No! NO!

Above the sound of the swirling flames Ellie heard Cole let loose a tremendous bellow of pain and anger. With her knees already on the floor, Ellie curled forwards, her head coming to rest on the grass with her hands covering her face, her fingers formed into talons, gripping her scalp harshly. She felt the pain of her nails ripping into her skin and it felt right, so she ripped harder.

ELLIE! Come quick! The garden!

Without conscious thought Cole's voice propelled her forward. She skirted the blazing house with her hands raised against the intense heat and followed the path to the back garden. She saw her dragon standing over a curled form in the centre of the lawn, his wings spread wide to protect it from the heat. Numbly, Ellie's feet seemed to move of their own volition as she screamed inside her mind to stop, stop, sit down and sleep. Ellie moved into the shadow of Cole's wings and she absently noted the decrease in temperature. She looked down at the poor creature on the ground, her mouth opened and a small whine escaped. She quickly placed a fist into her mouth and bit down hard, forcing the sob down. By the size she knew this was an adult but so much damage had been inflicted she couldn't tell who this person was. The skin was charred and cracked. She could see where boils had formed immediately from the heat and burst. No hair remained, nor could a stitch of clothing be identified. With silent tears coursing down her already wet cheeks, Ellie leaned closer to the tortured form. A terrible, rasped breath escaped from the faceless person and Ellie gasped and stumbled backwards, saved only from falling by Cole's strong leg to hold her up.

Cole? She whimpered. I don't even know who it is! Cole repositioned his wings so he could lower his head to his rider's level. He looked at the creature on the ground over Ellie's shoulder.

I…I think it's your father.

Despite what she could already see Ellie's eyes widened in shock. She crept forward and knelt at her father's head.

“Dad? Daddy?” Another breath rasped out and Ellie leaned closer. “I'm here, Daddy.” A sigh was released and then terrible, tortured words were spoken.

“Ellie? Your mother and Jack, are they safe?” Ellie shook her head and looked desperately at Cole, knowing the awful answer as well as he. Swallowing her pain and wiping her face she forced a smile even though her father was now blind.

“Yes they're fine, Daddy. They're safe now.” She lied. The figure on the grass gave a small nod accompanied by a long groan of pain. He tried to move an arm towards Ellie but the pain of the burnt skin stretching was too much and he cried out. “What can I do?” Ellie cried.

Dad shook his head.

“Nothing, sweetie. Oh, Ellie I'm so sorry.” Dad croaked, his blind eyes searching her out. “Sorry, my darling.” Ellie shook her head violently and made a move to wrap her arms around her father, but Cole held her back and she realised doing so would cause him terrible pain.

“For what?” Ellie said in a forced light tone. “What do you mean?” Despite the pain and sensing his end was near, Ellie's father moved his arm, holding out what was left of his hand to her. Ellie's tears flowed freely now as she gently cradled his burnt hand to her face.

“Don't be afraid.” He rasped, his voice hardening ever so slightly. “Whatever else, never be afraid, sweetie.” Ellie nodded and she felt his hand relax. His last breath escaped him and her father passed. Ellie continued nodding for a moment before taking his hand away from her cheek and laying it gently upon his chest. The shakes began in her hands and they moved swiftly around her body. She felt her mouth twitch and the heat from her own body seemed to surpass that of the still burning house even as a cold fire raged within her mind. Her thoughts were sluggish as she stared at the still figure of her father. Then in one quick movement she jumped forward and grasped her Dad's shoulders.

“Daddy! No! Please! Don't leave me! Wake up!” She shook his body as if by force of her own will she could restore the life taken. She howled and screamed at him over and over until she felt Cole's large paws on her own shoulders dragging her away. “No! Let me go! Cole!” Ellie turned into the red dragon's chest and clenching her fists and grinding her teeth Ellie let loose a silent scream into the heavens. The cords on her neck stood out and her eyes burned with fury.

I'm going to kill them all!

The promise made she collapsed to the ground, painful sobs wracked her entire body as she punched the grass. She was dimly aware of Cole's mind, pressing on hers, enveloping her, comforting her. Whatever he was doing she saw a black wall encircle them both and force her into sleep.