ASHES AND EMBERS
754 Words
Her driver was waiting by the park lot. She opened the door without a word.
“Home,” she snapped.
The Richmond home stood far away like a private palace. The gates opened for her shiny black car, showing a place full of luxury.
The house had three floors with white stone walls, tall curved windows, big pillars at the door, and balconies covered with flowering plants. Beautiful lawns spread on both sides, with marble statues and fountains.
The driveway had neat bushes and warm garden lights. It was more than a house; it was like a small kingdom.
As the car pulled up to the park lot something felt wrong.
Flashing lights.
Smoke rising into the sky.
Her heart stopped.
People stood outside, shouting. The fire showed in the windows, burning the curtains and spreading on the clean walls.
Her house, her pride, her big home was burning.
She pushed the car door open and ran toward the flames.
Where is my father? She asked no one particularly.
“My father!” she screamed. “He was inside,in his study room underground before I left!”
My dad is there! she screamed, struggling to break free from their grip. "He's in the underground room! I'm certainly sure he's inside!” She made an attempt to run into the fire.
Miss, you can’t go in.
The man was confused but the report said the house is empty, because there wasn't anyone in the building when we checked.
Were the chambers checked? Oh no He…..he always studies there! Let me go!”
Before anyone could stop her, Aria broke free, dashing into the flames, the heat of the fire licking at her skin. Her eyes burned with rage not just from the smoke, but from the guilt that crashed down on her.
Flashback
Just a few hours earlier, the house had been filled with laughter. Tina and Bella laid on her bed, their legs hanging off the edge as they go through costumes to put on for the game night.
Aria stood in front of her mirror, styling her jet black hair into bouncy waves. The scent of their activity and hairspray lingered in the air.
“Aria,” her father’s voice came from the hallway. “Don’t forget to turn off that socket before you leave.”
She rolled her eyes, glancing sideways at Tina and Bella, who were giggling.
“I saw that,” her father added with a straight face.
“I’m not a child,” Aria muttered under her breath, faking a smile for her friends. “I’ve got it under control”. She said
But she didn't turn it off immediately because she didn't want to look weak or controlled in front of her friends. That small act of pride was now turning into a nightmare.
Back to Present
Smoke thickened around her as she tried gaining access to the main building,the flames kept getting fierce and making it hard for her to move,but Aria pushed through, coughing, her skin peeling as she reached the underground study bookshelf where her father was.
“Dad!” she cried, choking. “Dad, please answer me!”
She pushed the door open. Smoke gushed out, and through the thick air, she saw him lying still beside his desk.
"No!" she screamed, running to him and covering his body with hers. "You can't die! Please, Daddy, please!"
She cried as the fire surrounded them.
Just when the fire was about to consume them, someone pulled her back with strong arms. It was the firefighters. Her eyes went blank. The last thing she saw before she fainted was her father's hand slipping out of hers.
Outside the Mansion
Mrs Evelyn car stopped suddenly, and loud screams filled the air. She had just returned early from her business trip to rest and was met with a scene of fear and confusion. Seeing her daughter's burned body being brought out broke her heart.
“Aria!” she wailed. “Where’s my husband?!”
No one had the heart to answer.
“She’s alive,” a medic said, “but barely. We need to rush her now to the hospital!”
As they loaded Aria into the ambulance, Evelyn’s trembling hands covered her mouth. Her eyes locked on her daughter’s bloody face, the gauze, the burn from the fire and ash.
Her world, her family, her power, her pride was shattering before her eye and she could not stop it.
And all she could do was watch.
- Writer
