Aira

The flames rose devouring everything in their way while exhaling their smoke which covered the whole sky; turning the navy blue night into a grey and red tragedy. My fingers wrapped tightly around my little brothers pale fragile hand as my eyes were locked to the scene. My legs were trembling, pinned to the ceramic grounds. My head got filled with the most horrific thoughts as I tried to grasp what my vision is viewing me. My own house… my home, was being demolished. “sis, why is our house burning? Where are mommy and daddy?” said Edward as his trembling hands clenched tighter on to mine. My lips parted in shock as I couldn’t comprehend the scene. How did this happen? I seated my brother on a bench nearby and bent down to reach his height. “Edward, can you please stay here for a bit while I go search for mom and dad?” I asked him as I placed my hands on his slender shoulders and looked into his teary eyes. He nodded his head while continuing to lock his gaze on his feet. I stood back up, taking a deep breath before heading towards the entrance. I took out a bottle of water from my backpack, pouring the chilly water all over my hair and clothes as I dashed into the flames. The couches were completely devoured as the roof barely maintained its place. I walked towards the kitchen looking for any trace of my parents but there was none. The stairs were blocked by an enormous flaming wood. I attempted to walk through it but the flames were famished to devour me. I walked towards the living room and opened the windows, allowing some oxygen to neutralize this poisonous air. I heard the sound of the sirens approaching from afar. I looked up towards the second floor window, noticing a tall figure with a black coat. “Who-“ I tried to yell before he jumped down and faced me. A wide smirk covered his face as his dark black hair covered a side of his front. He had long slit eyes that held no room for empathy, glaring down at me. “who are you?” I shouted as I stepped out through the window. “where is the kid?” he said in a robotic voice. “give me the kid and I shall spare you.” “shut the hell up, you f*****g murderer!” I screamed as I dashed towards him, clenching my fists, ready to deliver a full punch to that devilish face. As I swept my fist towards his smug front, he vanished. my fist punched through the empty air as I jumped back. My eyes widened in distress as I allowed my vision to search my surroundings. “I see your eyes hold no value to life. If that’s so, then I shall grant your wish.” I felt his breath against my ear. I felt my heartbeat in my mouth as my fists started trembling as fast as a vibrator. Before I could turn my body, I felt a fist run through my abdomen. I fell to the ground while holding on to where I got hit as my stomach acid ran up my esophagus and out of my mouth. My body felt as vulnerable as never before. I guess I did a great job at dumping it for the past year. The unbearable pain blurred my vision as he started approaching me. I put my hands down to the ground, struggling to get back up. “Is there anyone here?” I heard the firefighters call as their shadows painted the ground next to the window. He clicked his tongue before disappearing again. I was in a daze as my mind was a complete mess. What was that guy? I pulled my weight up my feet as the pain was numbing each and every corner of my body. I struggled to balance my weight on my feet as I used a nearby tree for support. The flames were calming down as I peeked through the window. I dragged my feet forwards as I headed back to where my brother was. The red firefighting cars were lined up in front of the entrance as they continued to extinguish the fires. the ambulance cars were close by as the people crowded the area. My brother was sitting quietly where I left him. A vast frown covered his round angelic front as his eyes were filled with tears. “Sis!” he called as I approached him, jumping off of his seat and throwing himself into my arms. I held on to him tightly as I bit on to my lips, resting my weight down on my knees. My lungs were burning. My heart ached like never before as tears escaped my eyes; opening a path for countless salty drops to rally down. I squeezed Edward harder, hoping he wouldn’t notice my weakness once again. “Sis, are you okay? Where is mama?” he asked. I had no response… My body was trembling in a familiar way. My heart felt like exploding out of my ribcage as the pain was overwhelming. I bit the insides of my mouth harder to prevent any unnecessary noises. I tasted blood flowing inside my mouth. If losing one loved one wasn’t enough… now even my parents are gone. God really does hate me… “Sis!” he shouted. “You’re scaring me. Where are mama and papa?” “They went to a trip overseas,” I blurted as calmly as I could. “So they are okay?” he questioned in excitement. “Then why are you shaking? Are you okay?” I clicked my tongue as I shut my eyes for a few seconds, taking another deep breath. “I was shocked to see our house b-burning.” My voice cracked. He moved his tiny hands up to my head and started gently patting me. “Don’t worry sis. Everything is gonna be okay!” he reassured me. Nothing is okay… “Y-yeah…” I looked up at the dark sky as I wondered what to do now. We have no relatives nor do we have any money. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand as I stood back up on my feet. my lungs burned as if the flames were fuming inside them. I saw a police officer approach us from a distance. “Are you a resident of this house?” he asked. I looked at Edward while pointing back at the nearby bench. “Go sit there while I talk to the police officer,” I ordered. I looked back at the man in front of me, feeling every atom of hope leave my soul. “Yes I am.” “Could you please come help us identify the bodies?” he asked pointing at two bodies covered by a white sheet. My lips parted as I felt as if something was stuck in my throat. I nodded my head as he escorted me to the bodies. I clenched my fists tighter, digging my nail deep into my palm. We stood next to the bodies as another officer was ready to uncover their faces. He pulled the sheet down exposing a horrid view. It was my mother. Her flesh was completely seared and roasted. Her hair was nonexistent, as well as her eyebrows and lashes. Her lips were scooped. It smelt of rotten cooked flesh. “That’s my mother, Maya Endreed,” I said, toneless. The officer looked at me in a daze as he recovered her face and pulled down the sheet from the other body. My father looked just as hideous. “That’s my dad, Albert Endreed.” “I’m sorry for your loss. Do you have any relatives to stay with?” he asked. “No we don’t.” He starred at me with eyes full of pity as he forced a smile on his face. “How old are you? You could get the government to help you.” “I’m nineteen,” I mumbled. He clicked his tongue and scratched his head as he allowed his gaze to wonder around. “How about that kid you were with? We can ensure his safety and give him a proper place to stay at.” If I agree, he will have a proper place to sleep as well as food… I looked to the ground as I tried to comprehend the situation. My eyes widened in shock as I remembered that man’s words: ‘where is the kid?’ he was looking for my brother! “Thank you for the offer, but I would like to take care of the both of us since we don’t have anyone other than each other.” “I understand. I wish you the best of luck.” He said before walking towards the other officers. I sighed as I felt overwhelmed. My head was completely blank as I dragged my feet towards the bench Edward is sitting on. I placed my bottom down on the algid bench, burying my face into my palms. What the hell do I do? I reached to my black jeans side pocket, grabbing my phone, checking my bank account. A thousand dollars huh… I clicked my tongue as I threw my head back. “where can I find a cheap place this late at night?” I mumbled. “Sis? Is everything okay?” Edward asked. I looked at him and forced the corner of my lip up. “Yes. Don’t worry about anything.” I released a slight laugh as I rolled my eyes at the sky. “Let’s go,” I ordered, jumping off the bench. “To where?” he asked as his small footsteps followed my rapid ones. “To look for a new house. I remember there were some cheap flats next to my work place,” I said as I looked for my bike. We walked back to the street, approaching my black bike parked at the side of the street, next to a grand pine tree. I threw a helmet at Edward and put the other on myself. I held him up from his waist and placed him on top before I climbed up behind him and shoved in the key, turning the vehicle on. “Hold on tight!” I said as I drove away. I wish I was the one who died in that fire… I hate this world. Why am I still alive? Why do I keep getting tortured? f**k this messed up reality. I wanted to smash the bike into a truck. Hatred shaded my view completely just when I thought I was getting numb. Tears kept flowing down my face like Nigeria falls. I didn’t know how to stop. I bit harder on to my lips and focused on the road. I parked next to the apartment and stepped down from the bike, noticing Edward was deep asleep. I carried him in my arms, placing his head on my shoulder and walked to the land lord’s flat. The apartment was completely worn out. There was no elevator and the doors were made of the most vulnerable type of wood. I knocked on the door and waited. I heard footsteps approaching and the turn of the keys. “Athena?” she said as soon as she saw me outside her door. “What are you doing here this late at night?” she asked. “I’m sorry to bother you, but my house went in fires and I would really appreciate it if I could rent one of the rooms, since I have nowhere to go.” “Oh dear… I can rent you room number 15 since its empty. Go get some rest and we can do the paperwork tomorrow morning.” “Thank you very much.” I bowed slightly as she stepped inside her place to get me the room keys. She walked back out with a pair of keys and handed them to me. “Second floor to the left.” She said smiling. “Thank you. Have a good night,” I said as I walked to the stairs. By the time I was up I felt like my hands were about to fall off as I struggled to support Edwards weight. I opened the door to a one room apartment; a kitchen and a bathroom. I placed Edward on the couch and covered him with my jacket. I took off my backpack and sat next to him. That guy killed my parents and now, he’s after my brother… My vision was locked to the ceiling as I rested my back. I placed a hand on my chest, massaging where the pain felt unbearable then reached up to my necklace… the only memorial left from my mother—a necklace which I was never allowed to take off. I closed my eyes and allowed the tears to slide out.