He was standing on the lighthouse terrace. He could hear how the waves crashed in the old wall of the lighthouse. The cool night breeze was blowing through his hair. He was looking down, in the dark reefs, hidden by the waves.
- Born and raised by the sea… - he looked up to the bloody red moon. - Why didn’t you light their way?
Tears blurred his vision. He fell on his knees and cupped his face in his hands. The little light from the lighthouse illumined his miserable body. With all the strength he could muster he got to the hard bed in the small and dank room, which he used as a kitchen, bedroom and living room. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
It all started last night. The “White Pearl” was coming to town – the biggest and most beautiful merchant ship ever to be built. It was New Year’s Eve when everybody wanted somebody by his side. The same would go for the young man. He left the lighthouse leaving the fire alight and went to town. He put on his finest clothes, tied his hair on the scruff of the head and went down the hundred stairs. Finally he reached the last one and right in front of it was a small half-decayed wooden door with metal lining. He smiled and took the key out of his pocket. He unlocked, went out and locked it from the outside. There was nothing that could be stolen from the lighthouse, but he locked by habit.
Down here everything looked twice more beautiful than from above. He stood on the edge of the cliffs and inhaled a deep breathe of the cool sea air. He smiled then walked towards town.
As usual, the people had organized a masquerade. He got lost in the crowd and was looking at the thousand brilliant colors the festival offered.
A young woman in a beautiful black dress and a mask passed by him. Their stairs met for a moment and then she was gone in the crowd. He looked around and saw her sitting at one of the few tables. He worked his way through to her while she was looking at him.
- Good evening, Miss.
- Good evening, young man.
They smiled at each other.
- I could not notice that you are alone just tonight. You are extremely beautiful, how could You be alone?
- Unfortunately, I am – she looked at him sadly – And what about You? You, too, are alone. Where is Your Lady?
- I… I don’t have a Lady. And I was wondering… if You… would like to dance?
She smiled and held out her hand.
- I would love to.
He caught her hand and helped her up. Then his hands were on her waist and they were dancing on the grass under the sounds of music. All the time they were smiling at each other and every time they turned, she got closer and closer to him. A song started, which seemed to make her sad and she tried to shake the sadness off. She pulled back from the man, but he was still holding her hand.
- Would You like to go?
She nodded and they both went away from the masquerade and to her house.
- I don not live far, would you please accompany me to my house? If you would like, you could stay for tonight.
- Miss, I would love to, but Your Lord? Would he not be back?
- Do not worry about him.
They walked some ten minutes and reached a small house. The girl unlocked the door and invited him in.
It was less than half an hour to midnight. They poured a glass of champagne and sat in front of the fireplace talking almost until it was time for the toast. She went out on the balcony to look at the fireworks and he went after her.
The whole town was counting the seconds left to midnight. The girl glanced at him and then her voice got lost in the voice of the town.
- Five, four, three, two, one… Happy New Year!
Thousands of fireworks lit up the night sky. Then she turned to him and kissed him. He took off her mask just to find an even more beautiful face hidden behind it. She smiled and kissed him again.
Couple of hours later, he was getting dressed to cross the whole town and reach his home – the lighthouse. He was walking through the wintry field that stood between him and the cape and thought of her. He reached the cliffs just next to the lighthouse and looked down and felt his body go numb – some fifty people were scattered on the sea shore below him. They all looked like puppets. Then he saw the broken mast and a large board with an intricate golden letters on it saying “White Pearl”.
He looked up to the lighthouse to see the fire was out. He took out the key with his hands shaking and ran up the hundred stairs to the top of the lighthouse. The fire was out some hours ago. He fainted.
He woke up at sunrise and the first thing he saw were the faces of the people – all saddened. He saw her among them, crying.
- You killed the father of my child! – she threw a rock at him, but he did not feel pain. Something mauled his soul then. He went out and left the lighthouse for a girl. Another rock, and another, and another…
He didn’t know what he did in the next hours. He was again at the lighthouse. At sundown he lit the fire and went to look at the sea from above. He pictured the last rays of the setting sun as the fireworks and thought she would come any time and kiss him.
- No one can love a man who guarded the light.
He stayed there until he could hear the waves whispering “All on board the ‘White Pearl’ had died. Coastal reef has claimed their lives.” He looked down at the sea.
- Born and raised by the sea… why didn’t you light their way?
He woke up. His first thought was the girl’s words “You killed the father of my child!” They echoed in his head and then he remembered what the waves whispered.
- The coastal reef will take my life.
He went to the lighthouse terrace again, climbed the low wall and looked down.
- All on board the “White Pearl” had died. Coastal reef has claimed their lives. It is time it claimed mine. One step will take me back inside, another sees my end in the watery abyss. Black oceans, rise and welcome me!
“…we therefore commit his body to the deep to be turned into corruption, looking for the resurrection of the body, when the sea shall give up her dead and the life of the world to come through our Lord…”
18.05.2006
Replica
Monday, September 29, 2008
C'est moi...
Take it back, take it all back now…
Thio's phone was ringing.
All the things left undiscovered…
It took her some time to wash her hands clean and find it in her back while singing the song. She looked the display. Private number. She sighed.
- Probably she forgot her phone again and is calling from her friends'.
She picked up.
- Hello?
- Well, well... how are you?
She felt startled. It wasn't her friend's voice. It was a man's voice, a familiar one.
- Who is this?- Кой е?
- Who do think this is?- Кой мислиш че е?
- Stop it, who is this?- Престанете! Кой е?
- You know very well who I am. You almost got away, didn't you?
Thio recognized the voice.
- Oh my God! It can't be! You can't be!
He laughed a sinister laugh.
- Oui, oui, mon amour...c'est moi.
Thio panicked. There was silence and just her heavy breathing. He broke it.
- Look out the window, honey.
Without thinking what she's doing, she headed to the kitchen window. She stood there looking outside to the darkness. She heard him hanging up the phone and he appeared in the window in front of her.
- C'est moi!
She screamed and ran up the stairs to get her gun. The man was looking after her until the heels of her feet were gone upstairs. He then opened the window and got in. A deep breath. Laughter. He headed for the hallway. He knew the house well, he lived for three and a half years in it. He knew all the secret places, he knew where every key for every door in the house was. Thio could not run away. He locked the front door and called out.
- Come on now, honey, don't hide. You know I know the house.
Thio was fervently going through the boxes in her wardrobe. It should be somewhere here. Where was it?
- Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your gun... - She stopped looking. - is with me, honey, don't look for it upstairs.
He pulled the gun out of the long coat and loaded it. One bullet, two bullets, three bullets. Three would be enough.
- Show time!
He ran up the stairs and started kicking the doors down.
- You know... - a kick and the first one was down. - that... - the second one. - you can't... - the third. The bedroom was the next, the room in which Thio was. - hide... a kick and it fell down as well. - from me.
A smile cut his face in half.
- I knew you are here. - he lifted the gun to her chest. - Tell me that past times won't die.
A shot.
Thio woke up from the nightmare. Heavy breathing. She got up to get a glass of water.
Her hand reached for a glass and her eyes saw the mirror and the sign written with her lipstick "C'est moi". In her ex-boyfriend's handwriting. She dropped the glass and it broke to pieces. She ran to the bedroom and found the gun. It was still there. She loaded it with a few bullets, her hands shaking. She felt a cold metal object to her throat.
- Come on, honey. Put it down. In fact, give it to me.
Thio gave him the gun. He took in and put it in the coat's pocket.
- Now stand up. Lay on the bed.
She did what she was told - got up from the floor and went to the bed. He took out handcuffs and tied her hands and legs to the bed frame. He then sat next to her.
- I gave you my time. I gave you my whole life. I gave you my whole love - to the last drop. And you thank me by leaving me in the middle of nowhere and walking away with some guy you met in the bar? How low can you go... by the way, where's your knight? I think he's gone... well, lucky for you, that makes me your God.
She opened her mouth to say something, but he put his finger on her lips.
- Don't say a word. Pacta sunt servanda. You broke ours.
- You're crazy! This is why I left you!
He giggled.
- You didn't think so the night before we walked into that bar.
He got off the bed and turned the lights off. He lit the black candle on Thio's night stand and put it on her chest.
- I promise you the end before the first light arrives.
He bent over and kissed her. There was a pearl earring on the night stand, he took it.
- I gave you these, for our first anniversary. How come you didn't throw them away? - he sounded ironic.
- These are pearls, how can I throw them away, even if they are from you?!
He grinned and put the earring in his pocket.
- You know, mother always said "My son, do the noble thing. You have to finish what you've started, not matter what it will cost. Now - sit, watch and learn. It doesn't matter how long you live, but what your morals say. You have to keep your part of the deal, now, don't say a word." Turns out it doesn't matter how long you live indeed. But you... who will remember you? You're a whore. I've seen you not once walking in the cool night with no underwear. I've seen you in the bed of not one man. And still, I will love you until the last drop falls.
The sky was getting lighter.
- I promise you to end this before the sunrise. So it shall be.
He kissed her one last time. Went to the door and pointed the gun to her.
- Vade retro, alter ego. I have never wished you dead... yet. Now hear how the headless doves cry.
A shot. Darkness. Coldness...
14.05.2006
Replica
Thio's phone was ringing.
All the things left undiscovered…
It took her some time to wash her hands clean and find it in her back while singing the song. She looked the display. Private number. She sighed.
- Probably she forgot her phone again and is calling from her friends'.
She picked up.
- Hello?
- Well, well... how are you?
She felt startled. It wasn't her friend's voice. It was a man's voice, a familiar one.
- Who is this?- Кой е?
- Who do think this is?- Кой мислиш че е?
- Stop it, who is this?- Престанете! Кой е?
- You know very well who I am. You almost got away, didn't you?
Thio recognized the voice.
- Oh my God! It can't be! You can't be!
He laughed a sinister laugh.
- Oui, oui, mon amour...c'est moi.
Thio panicked. There was silence and just her heavy breathing. He broke it.
- Look out the window, honey.
Without thinking what she's doing, she headed to the kitchen window. She stood there looking outside to the darkness. She heard him hanging up the phone and he appeared in the window in front of her.
- C'est moi!
She screamed and ran up the stairs to get her gun. The man was looking after her until the heels of her feet were gone upstairs. He then opened the window and got in. A deep breath. Laughter. He headed for the hallway. He knew the house well, he lived for three and a half years in it. He knew all the secret places, he knew where every key for every door in the house was. Thio could not run away. He locked the front door and called out.
- Come on now, honey, don't hide. You know I know the house.
Thio was fervently going through the boxes in her wardrobe. It should be somewhere here. Where was it?
- Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your gun... - She stopped looking. - is with me, honey, don't look for it upstairs.
He pulled the gun out of the long coat and loaded it. One bullet, two bullets, three bullets. Three would be enough.
- Show time!
He ran up the stairs and started kicking the doors down.
- You know... - a kick and the first one was down. - that... - the second one. - you can't... - the third. The bedroom was the next, the room in which Thio was. - hide... a kick and it fell down as well. - from me.
A smile cut his face in half.
- I knew you are here. - he lifted the gun to her chest. - Tell me that past times won't die.
A shot.
Thio woke up from the nightmare. Heavy breathing. She got up to get a glass of water.
Her hand reached for a glass and her eyes saw the mirror and the sign written with her lipstick "C'est moi". In her ex-boyfriend's handwriting. She dropped the glass and it broke to pieces. She ran to the bedroom and found the gun. It was still there. She loaded it with a few bullets, her hands shaking. She felt a cold metal object to her throat.
- Come on, honey. Put it down. In fact, give it to me.
Thio gave him the gun. He took in and put it in the coat's pocket.
- Now stand up. Lay on the bed.
She did what she was told - got up from the floor and went to the bed. He took out handcuffs and tied her hands and legs to the bed frame. He then sat next to her.
- I gave you my time. I gave you my whole life. I gave you my whole love - to the last drop. And you thank me by leaving me in the middle of nowhere and walking away with some guy you met in the bar? How low can you go... by the way, where's your knight? I think he's gone... well, lucky for you, that makes me your God.
She opened her mouth to say something, but he put his finger on her lips.
- Don't say a word. Pacta sunt servanda. You broke ours.
- You're crazy! This is why I left you!
He giggled.
- You didn't think so the night before we walked into that bar.
He got off the bed and turned the lights off. He lit the black candle on Thio's night stand and put it on her chest.
- I promise you the end before the first light arrives.
He bent over and kissed her. There was a pearl earring on the night stand, he took it.
- I gave you these, for our first anniversary. How come you didn't throw them away? - he sounded ironic.
- These are pearls, how can I throw them away, even if they are from you?!
He grinned and put the earring in his pocket.
- You know, mother always said "My son, do the noble thing. You have to finish what you've started, not matter what it will cost. Now - sit, watch and learn. It doesn't matter how long you live, but what your morals say. You have to keep your part of the deal, now, don't say a word." Turns out it doesn't matter how long you live indeed. But you... who will remember you? You're a whore. I've seen you not once walking in the cool night with no underwear. I've seen you in the bed of not one man. And still, I will love you until the last drop falls.
The sky was getting lighter.
- I promise you to end this before the sunrise. So it shall be.
He kissed her one last time. Went to the door and pointed the gun to her.
- Vade retro, alter ego. I have never wished you dead... yet. Now hear how the headless doves cry.
A shot. Darkness. Coldness...
14.05.2006
Replica
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Cold/Broken/Alone
It's getting colder by the minute. I need you now. I need you here. I want to know that I can hide in your shadow, that you will hide me from the world and tell them you haven't seen me today, or tomorrow. I want to know that I will always find shelter from the storm in your embrace. All I ask of you is to look in my eyes and hold me at night. I need to feel your warm body pressed to mine, your breath on my neck, your hands around me. I want to hear your calm breathing and watch you sleep when I wake up... when I wake up next to you.
But you're just an illusion...
16.09.2008
Replica
But you're just an illusion...
16.09.2008
Replica
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Love Infernal
And finally, the last part of the Wildfire series. After this one, I promised myself not to write any more parts since the whole idea is getting kinda exploited. However, I have a fifth part I begun writing some eleven months ago, but I highly doubt it'll ever be finished. For now, the Stranger is sound asleep inside of me, hugging Neeyla.
~
- No light, only suffocating dark.
His face was buried in his hands.
- No light, only suffocating dark. There's no point to live...
Caleb took a piece of paper and a pen from the shelf nearby and wrote a few lines. Then he got up and walked to the big balcony.
Neeyla and the Stranger were watching up, to the 24th floor.
Caleb sighed. He opened the door, went out and looked down. He saw just a red-haired woman in a long coat. For a moment it seemed she was watching him, piercing him with her stare. He closed his eyes. When he opened them she was gone. He felt happy that no one would witness his end. As he was just about to jump, he heard a gentle women's voice behind him:
- Caleb... why are we so sad? Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like to make it dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
- Who are you?
- I've told you all, but who I am. Have faith in me. Have faith in me...
Caleb stared at her. Tall, slim, green-eyed and gorgeous, her hair seemed to burn. Her face was lit by a smile, a charming smile. She held his hand out to him.
- Have faith in me. You're going to waste your life to pleasure those lower creatures that hurt you. Have faith in me. Take my hand. Trust me.
Caleb hesitated, but took her hand. The moment he touched her soft skin, he felt his skin burn. Then is felt as if his whole hand was burning. The pain was getting unbearable. He started to lose consciousness. The last thing he saw was how behind the beautiful woman, a man in a long coat appeared and took her by the shoulders with a grin.
***
- Good work, honey. I knew you could do it on your own.
- The fire told me what to do. I could hear this voice in my head that guided me and told me what to say and do.
- Splendid, splendid! - the Stranger smiled and kissed her.
Caleb was lying a few meters away from them. He heard their short conversation as some far echo and could barely make out what they were talking. He opened his eyes. He needed some time to get used to the gloom. He was in a big well-furnitured hall. He looked around and made out the silhouettes of the two. He tried to get up, but he was still weak. Neeyla felt him, pushed the Stranger aside and walked slowly to Caleb. The Stranger pierced her back with his burning stare.
- Don't be jealous, sweetheart.
- I'm not jealous.
- A lie... and you know I know it.
Caleb's eyes widened. The smile he saw he didn't know how long ago, was on the woman's face again.
- Who are you? What do you want from me?
- Oh, for fuck's sake, why do you always ask who we are... - the Stranger shrugged, turned his back to Neeyla and Caleb and fixed his eyes on something in the room.
- Enough. You know...
- I know you knew who and what I am, Neeyla!
She turned to him.
- Then why didn't you enter his dreams as well?
- I don't like guys, honey.
- In that case, shut up and let me explain to Caleb what's going on here, because I can feel he's on the edge of sanity. - She turned to Caleb. - My name is Neeyla. I found you just when you needed me the most.
- Needed US. You are this because I made you this, Neeyla, don't forget it.
- Needed us... you see, we find beauty in fire. We think it's a purifying power. It can erase all since and it brings pleasure. Beautiful and destructive... just like me and the Stranger.
- You're insane...
Neeyla laughed.
- Maybe. But it was fire that helped me. It was years ago when I first met the Stranger. He came to my dreams. I was as confused as you are now and thought him insane, but he showed me the true things in life. He showed me how just a word can start a fire... literally. He showed me the beauty of fire. I want to share that beauty with someone. That's why I chose you. See, when the Stranger came, I almost had a nervous breakdown - no friends, I was in love with a guy I could never have. The fire helped me overcome this. Everything that was ever in my way to be happy is dust... literally. - she grinned at Caleb's stare. - I know what's going on in your head. The moment you touched me, you became a small part of me. I know what's going on every single moment. And I will know until you prove that the old Caleb is gone and Wildfire came in his place.
- Psychos... Wildfire died years ago! Don't you watch the news?
The Stranger was furious. A few quick steps and he was by Caleb, pushing Neeyla aside and grabbing his head. Caleb felt a burning pain. Then saw a small street, a man with a knife in his hand, cutting his veins... "Farewell Wildfire..."
The picture changed to a cemetery. An Angel. "Warren Adrien Gray". A black rose. "The sire never dies, Warren... never!"
The Stranger took his hands away form Caleb. He wriggled.
- Do you understand now, Caleb? Neeyla was the next. She proved to be stronger than Warren. She chose you. She chose you!
- Stop is! Leave me to talk to him! It's no use shouting!
- So be it... - the Stranger's hand caught fire for a moment, then he walked out of the room. Neeyla followed him with a stare.
- So... now that you know the Wildfire story and what it is, I can offer you two things - become one of us, or die. Decide fast. Till tomorrow night.
She winked at him and walked to the door.
- Neeyla... - she stopped in her place - I... how long have I been here?
- Two days. I hit you a bit harder than I should... - she looked at him shyly over one shoulder. - but I hope you'll forgive me. - she smiled and left.
***
- Why, Neeyla?
- You know why. You're a part of me, damn you, you know everything I do. You know why.
- I don't know why him.
- Why me?
- Because I felt the power in you.
- Assume that I felt the power in him.
- I don't like him.
- I know. I know it from the moment he opened his eyes and I walked to him. You feel threatened by him, because he is younger. You think I'm going to fall for some kid? You think I would kill what we have, I would kill Wildfire again, to have him?
- Neeyla... he will come between us. Don't deny it.
- I won't. You are right, he will. Caleb will be our challenge. Maybe this is why I chose him. Maybe I want to show myself that you still care for me. Maybe I want to show the world the fire is above everything else.
***
- Get up! - the Stranger shook Caleb roughly. - It's time for your decision. Are you with us?
Caleb shook his head and looked at Neeyla. She smiled for him.
- Well, Caleb? - her voice sounded softer that the Stranger's. - What did you choose?
Caleb looked at her, than the Stranger, than her again. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to die, but just her smile was enough to keep him alive. He bowed his head down and murmured:
- I'm with you...
The Stranger grinned.
- Welcome, Wildfire.
"I hate you! You're suffocating Neeyla!"
- Caleb, watch your mouth. - Neeyle looked at him. - I'm still up there.
The Stranger looked at Neeyla. She let him hear the words the way she heard them.
- Son of a bitch! How can he say I'm suffocating you?!
- Easy... I told you he would come between us. I told you he would be out challenge.
- Now that we are clear, it's time to show you some thing, give you some advice and let you run free, Caleb. The only masters you will have from now on is me and the Stranger.
Caleb nodded.
- And the moment you try to go against me or her, you'll die. Painfully.
Neeyla held her hand to Caleb. He looked at it, then looked in her eyes.
- Don't worry, nothing will happen now.
Caleb took her suspiciously. She helped him up and they walked out, leaving the Stranger alonce.
- Neeyla, if something happens...
- You know I can take care of myself.
- I know, but still.
- Then don't worry.
Neeyla and Caleb went out for a walk. It was mid June, the sun was out and it was hot outside, yet Neeyla didn't take her coat off.
- You wonder why I have my coat on, don't you? - she smiled.
- Yes.
- When you touch the fire the way we do it with the Stranger, you start burning inside. Every time someone bumps into you and touches your skin, he faints or dies, if the contact is longer. This is why I have to go out with a coat.
Caleb walked, watching his feet.
The two of them walked until the sun set. They were miles away from the last building of the town, but none of them was tired.
- It's time to see what you can do and what you need to learn. - Neeyla took her coat off and revealed a darkred leather corset. - Careful not to burn yourself. - she winked at him and made a small fireball inches away from her palms - Let's begin.
She threw the ball to Caleb. He dodged it. He felt how the anger inside him built up. Neeyla opened her mind fully to the Stranger and he could see everything through her eyes. She closed it to Caleb and went on. Another ball, this time bigger, she left it hanging in the air and made a few more. Then she sent them to Caleb. He dodged the first one, but the second burnt him. He could hear in his head the Stranger's voice whispering "Burn it...". He felt his anger taking control. Then it seemed his blood was boiling. He looked at his hands - burning. Neeyla was smiling.
- Not bad. You need to learn to control anger. You have to foretell every step of your enemy... - she stepped to the side, then another step and another - to know what to do!
She suddenly made a big fireball and threw it to Caleb. He reacted in time, stopped it, made if twice as big and threw if back to Neeyla. She looked at the ball with interest while it was flying to her. She stepped to the side and felt just the warmth of fire.
- Nice try, but not good enough. Rest, I have something to do and we go back. Tomorrow we'll try again.
Neeyla took her coat, dusted it off and headed to the edge of the rocks.
- He's good.
- Not better than you. You could do those things without me helping you learn them.
- You know I am the best in fireballs.
- And still, take care of yourself.
- He is far less than what I offered today.
Neeyla felt something stirring behind her back. She bent quickly. A fireball with the size of a basketball flew over her. She stared at Caleb and smiled.
- Very good... Wildfire.
He grinned.
The two were walking home. Neeyla was walking quietly and glanced over her shoulder from time to time. Caleb was thinking.
- You called me Wildfire. Does this mean you're not in my head anymore?
- Yes.
- So I can finally say how I feel about the Stranger?
Neeyla looked at him bitterly.
- Do not even think it. These things I can sense even when a stranger comments us in his mind when we pass on the street.
- I wish I had someone I care so much for you. - he looked at her. - someone like you, Neelya.
Neeyle opened her mind to the Stranger.
- You know you can't have me.
- What if the Stranger dies?
- You think of killing him?
The Stranger smiled. And she closed her mind.
Neeyla and Caleb walked to home. He felt tired and went to bed shortly after they got home. Neeyla was avoiding the Stranger.
***
Caleb and Neelya spent more and more time together, as if the Stranger didn't exist for them. He watched Caleb tease Neeyla and then he realized her words were true. Caleb was standing between them more and more with every day.
The Stranger found a time when Caleb was out of the room and got in, to Neeyla.
- What's going on? Did you forget who made you what you are? Maybe you feel great when you have a disciple?
- Don't talk to her like that!
The Stranger turned. Caleb just got in. He had a huge fireball made and threw it at the Stranger. He dodged it.
- You want to fight?
- No! I want to kill you!
Neeyla was sitting and watching.
The Stranger was furious. He was burning... not just the hands, his whole body. Caleb didn't stop before that. He attacked him bravely, with fire.
The fight went on for hours and there was not a scratch on either of them. Caleb took one of the swords on the wall.
- Strange choice of weapon, but let it be by your rules.
The Stranger took the other sword and attacked. Caleb warded off. Two more attacks and Caleb was on his knees. A swing of the sword, a hit on the wrist and the sound of metal hitting the floor was heard.
Caleb looked at Neeyla. Her cold eyes fixed on his.
- Neeyla...
- Don't ask for help, Caleb. You will get none.
- But I thought...
- Caleb... it was all a game. You were a test for us.
- You bitch! You used me!
- Look, Caleb... me and the Stranger, we have our own rules. There is no one else on Earth that can go by those. This is why it's just me and him. Three is a crows, as they say. Your mistake was that you fell in love with me. But on the other hand, you wouldn't have gotten so much on his nerves. You were useful. Thank you.
She made a fireball and slid it to the Stranger. He made it even bigger, putting all his hate for Caleb in it and threw it to him.
It swallowed Caleb. Neeyla and the Stranger looked at each other smiling and whispered "Burn it..."
21-22.04.2007
Replica
~
- No light, only suffocating dark.
His face was buried in his hands.
- No light, only suffocating dark. There's no point to live...
Caleb took a piece of paper and a pen from the shelf nearby and wrote a few lines. Then he got up and walked to the big balcony.
Neeyla and the Stranger were watching up, to the 24th floor.
Caleb sighed. He opened the door, went out and looked down. He saw just a red-haired woman in a long coat. For a moment it seemed she was watching him, piercing him with her stare. He closed his eyes. When he opened them she was gone. He felt happy that no one would witness his end. As he was just about to jump, he heard a gentle women's voice behind him:
- Caleb... why are we so sad? Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like to make it dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
- Who are you?
- I've told you all, but who I am. Have faith in me. Have faith in me...
Caleb stared at her. Tall, slim, green-eyed and gorgeous, her hair seemed to burn. Her face was lit by a smile, a charming smile. She held his hand out to him.
- Have faith in me. You're going to waste your life to pleasure those lower creatures that hurt you. Have faith in me. Take my hand. Trust me.
Caleb hesitated, but took her hand. The moment he touched her soft skin, he felt his skin burn. Then is felt as if his whole hand was burning. The pain was getting unbearable. He started to lose consciousness. The last thing he saw was how behind the beautiful woman, a man in a long coat appeared and took her by the shoulders with a grin.
***
- Good work, honey. I knew you could do it on your own.
- The fire told me what to do. I could hear this voice in my head that guided me and told me what to say and do.
- Splendid, splendid! - the Stranger smiled and kissed her.
Caleb was lying a few meters away from them. He heard their short conversation as some far echo and could barely make out what they were talking. He opened his eyes. He needed some time to get used to the gloom. He was in a big well-furnitured hall. He looked around and made out the silhouettes of the two. He tried to get up, but he was still weak. Neeyla felt him, pushed the Stranger aside and walked slowly to Caleb. The Stranger pierced her back with his burning stare.
- Don't be jealous, sweetheart.
- I'm not jealous.
- A lie... and you know I know it.
Caleb's eyes widened. The smile he saw he didn't know how long ago, was on the woman's face again.
- Who are you? What do you want from me?
- Oh, for fuck's sake, why do you always ask who we are... - the Stranger shrugged, turned his back to Neeyla and Caleb and fixed his eyes on something in the room.
- Enough. You know...
- I know you knew who and what I am, Neeyla!
She turned to him.
- Then why didn't you enter his dreams as well?
- I don't like guys, honey.
- In that case, shut up and let me explain to Caleb what's going on here, because I can feel he's on the edge of sanity. - She turned to Caleb. - My name is Neeyla. I found you just when you needed me the most.
- Needed US. You are this because I made you this, Neeyla, don't forget it.
- Needed us... you see, we find beauty in fire. We think it's a purifying power. It can erase all since and it brings pleasure. Beautiful and destructive... just like me and the Stranger.
- You're insane...
Neeyla laughed.
- Maybe. But it was fire that helped me. It was years ago when I first met the Stranger. He came to my dreams. I was as confused as you are now and thought him insane, but he showed me the true things in life. He showed me how just a word can start a fire... literally. He showed me the beauty of fire. I want to share that beauty with someone. That's why I chose you. See, when the Stranger came, I almost had a nervous breakdown - no friends, I was in love with a guy I could never have. The fire helped me overcome this. Everything that was ever in my way to be happy is dust... literally. - she grinned at Caleb's stare. - I know what's going on in your head. The moment you touched me, you became a small part of me. I know what's going on every single moment. And I will know until you prove that the old Caleb is gone and Wildfire came in his place.
- Psychos... Wildfire died years ago! Don't you watch the news?
The Stranger was furious. A few quick steps and he was by Caleb, pushing Neeyla aside and grabbing his head. Caleb felt a burning pain. Then saw a small street, a man with a knife in his hand, cutting his veins... "Farewell Wildfire..."
The picture changed to a cemetery. An Angel. "Warren Adrien Gray". A black rose. "The sire never dies, Warren... never!"
The Stranger took his hands away form Caleb. He wriggled.
- Do you understand now, Caleb? Neeyla was the next. She proved to be stronger than Warren. She chose you. She chose you!
- Stop is! Leave me to talk to him! It's no use shouting!
- So be it... - the Stranger's hand caught fire for a moment, then he walked out of the room. Neeyla followed him with a stare.
- So... now that you know the Wildfire story and what it is, I can offer you two things - become one of us, or die. Decide fast. Till tomorrow night.
She winked at him and walked to the door.
- Neeyla... - she stopped in her place - I... how long have I been here?
- Two days. I hit you a bit harder than I should... - she looked at him shyly over one shoulder. - but I hope you'll forgive me. - she smiled and left.
***
- Why, Neeyla?
- You know why. You're a part of me, damn you, you know everything I do. You know why.
- I don't know why him.
- Why me?
- Because I felt the power in you.
- Assume that I felt the power in him.
- I don't like him.
- I know. I know it from the moment he opened his eyes and I walked to him. You feel threatened by him, because he is younger. You think I'm going to fall for some kid? You think I would kill what we have, I would kill Wildfire again, to have him?
- Neeyla... he will come between us. Don't deny it.
- I won't. You are right, he will. Caleb will be our challenge. Maybe this is why I chose him. Maybe I want to show myself that you still care for me. Maybe I want to show the world the fire is above everything else.
***
- Get up! - the Stranger shook Caleb roughly. - It's time for your decision. Are you with us?
Caleb shook his head and looked at Neeyla. She smiled for him.
- Well, Caleb? - her voice sounded softer that the Stranger's. - What did you choose?
Caleb looked at her, than the Stranger, than her again. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to die, but just her smile was enough to keep him alive. He bowed his head down and murmured:
- I'm with you...
The Stranger grinned.
- Welcome, Wildfire.
"I hate you! You're suffocating Neeyla!"
- Caleb, watch your mouth. - Neeyle looked at him. - I'm still up there.
The Stranger looked at Neeyla. She let him hear the words the way she heard them.
- Son of a bitch! How can he say I'm suffocating you?!
- Easy... I told you he would come between us. I told you he would be out challenge.
- Now that we are clear, it's time to show you some thing, give you some advice and let you run free, Caleb. The only masters you will have from now on is me and the Stranger.
Caleb nodded.
- And the moment you try to go against me or her, you'll die. Painfully.
Neeyla held her hand to Caleb. He looked at it, then looked in her eyes.
- Don't worry, nothing will happen now.
Caleb took her suspiciously. She helped him up and they walked out, leaving the Stranger alonce.
- Neeyla, if something happens...
- You know I can take care of myself.
- I know, but still.
- Then don't worry.
Neeyla and Caleb went out for a walk. It was mid June, the sun was out and it was hot outside, yet Neeyla didn't take her coat off.
- You wonder why I have my coat on, don't you? - she smiled.
- Yes.
- When you touch the fire the way we do it with the Stranger, you start burning inside. Every time someone bumps into you and touches your skin, he faints or dies, if the contact is longer. This is why I have to go out with a coat.
Caleb walked, watching his feet.
The two of them walked until the sun set. They were miles away from the last building of the town, but none of them was tired.
- It's time to see what you can do and what you need to learn. - Neeyla took her coat off and revealed a darkred leather corset. - Careful not to burn yourself. - she winked at him and made a small fireball inches away from her palms - Let's begin.
She threw the ball to Caleb. He dodged it. He felt how the anger inside him built up. Neeyla opened her mind fully to the Stranger and he could see everything through her eyes. She closed it to Caleb and went on. Another ball, this time bigger, she left it hanging in the air and made a few more. Then she sent them to Caleb. He dodged the first one, but the second burnt him. He could hear in his head the Stranger's voice whispering "Burn it...". He felt his anger taking control. Then it seemed his blood was boiling. He looked at his hands - burning. Neeyla was smiling.
- Not bad. You need to learn to control anger. You have to foretell every step of your enemy... - she stepped to the side, then another step and another - to know what to do!
She suddenly made a big fireball and threw it to Caleb. He reacted in time, stopped it, made if twice as big and threw if back to Neeyla. She looked at the ball with interest while it was flying to her. She stepped to the side and felt just the warmth of fire.
- Nice try, but not good enough. Rest, I have something to do and we go back. Tomorrow we'll try again.
Neeyla took her coat, dusted it off and headed to the edge of the rocks.
- He's good.
- Not better than you. You could do those things without me helping you learn them.
- You know I am the best in fireballs.
- And still, take care of yourself.
- He is far less than what I offered today.
Neeyla felt something stirring behind her back. She bent quickly. A fireball with the size of a basketball flew over her. She stared at Caleb and smiled.
- Very good... Wildfire.
He grinned.
The two were walking home. Neeyla was walking quietly and glanced over her shoulder from time to time. Caleb was thinking.
- You called me Wildfire. Does this mean you're not in my head anymore?
- Yes.
- So I can finally say how I feel about the Stranger?
Neeyla looked at him bitterly.
- Do not even think it. These things I can sense even when a stranger comments us in his mind when we pass on the street.
- I wish I had someone I care so much for you. - he looked at her. - someone like you, Neelya.
Neeyle opened her mind to the Stranger.
- You know you can't have me.
- What if the Stranger dies?
- You think of killing him?
The Stranger smiled. And she closed her mind.
Neeyla and Caleb walked to home. He felt tired and went to bed shortly after they got home. Neeyla was avoiding the Stranger.
***
Caleb and Neelya spent more and more time together, as if the Stranger didn't exist for them. He watched Caleb tease Neeyla and then he realized her words were true. Caleb was standing between them more and more with every day.
The Stranger found a time when Caleb was out of the room and got in, to Neeyla.
- What's going on? Did you forget who made you what you are? Maybe you feel great when you have a disciple?
- Don't talk to her like that!
The Stranger turned. Caleb just got in. He had a huge fireball made and threw it at the Stranger. He dodged it.
- You want to fight?
- No! I want to kill you!
Neeyla was sitting and watching.
The Stranger was furious. He was burning... not just the hands, his whole body. Caleb didn't stop before that. He attacked him bravely, with fire.
The fight went on for hours and there was not a scratch on either of them. Caleb took one of the swords on the wall.
- Strange choice of weapon, but let it be by your rules.
The Stranger took the other sword and attacked. Caleb warded off. Two more attacks and Caleb was on his knees. A swing of the sword, a hit on the wrist and the sound of metal hitting the floor was heard.
Caleb looked at Neeyla. Her cold eyes fixed on his.
- Neeyla...
- Don't ask for help, Caleb. You will get none.
- But I thought...
- Caleb... it was all a game. You were a test for us.
- You bitch! You used me!
- Look, Caleb... me and the Stranger, we have our own rules. There is no one else on Earth that can go by those. This is why it's just me and him. Three is a crows, as they say. Your mistake was that you fell in love with me. But on the other hand, you wouldn't have gotten so much on his nerves. You were useful. Thank you.
She made a fireball and slid it to the Stranger. He made it even bigger, putting all his hate for Caleb in it and threw it to him.
It swallowed Caleb. Neeyla and the Stranger looked at each other smiling and whispered "Burn it..."
21-22.04.2007
Replica
Friday, September 12, 2008
Inferno
Part three... I would prefer not to comment more on this one, so just read it...
~
Neeyla was standing on the small terrace of the old cathedral. The wind was blowing through her red hair and caressing her face. She was looking at the city under her and was trying to comprehend how something so beautiful could hurt her that much.
- Psst…
Neeyla turned around and looked into the small hallway leading to the other terrace. Again she turned her look towards the city.
- Pssst! Neeyla… why are we so sad?... Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like… to make it dance… with the Animal?
- Who’s there? – she looked up to the top of the tower. She saw the Stranger smiling – Who are you?
He jumped, went through the grating as if it did not exist and stood before Neeyla. She looked at him smiling.
- You are not really alive. You’re just in my imagination, right?
- Hahaha, no, honey. I’m real – flesh and blood.
She held her hand out and touched him. When her fingers touched his skin, she felt them as if burning and took her hand back.
- Oh my god, you’re burning!
- Yes, honey, I’m burning. Do you wanna burn too?
- Cool! I’ve no idea who you are, but I like you.
- Look what else I can do…
He grabbed her and started running for the terrace. He jumped. Neeyla closed her eyes. Moment later she opened them and was on the ground.
- How…
- Don’t ask, honey! So do you wanna BURN too?
- Cool! I like fire.
The Stranger smiled and ran his fingers through the girl’s hair.
- Super! I like girls like you. What are you doing tonight?
***
Neeyla opened her eyes. She fell asleep again in the boring English Literature class. She looked at her watch – one hour till her meeting with her friends she didn’t have time for in weeks. She waited for the class to end and went out of the building as if something was chasing her.
An hour later her party was in their favourite place. Neeyla knew most of the people who went there, but tonight a big party of strangers was there. She searched her purse for cigarettes. She took out the lighter, put the cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Closing the lighter’s cap, she put it on the table. She looked over the people in the bar and saw the man from her dream. He noticed her staring at him and winked her. Neeyla stared at him for a little while and then continued looking around.
The whole night she didn’t dare to look for him, but she could feel his burning skin on her fingers… she felt his burning stare.
***
She was walking home slowly. She couldn’t stop thinking about the man from her dream. She was walking without noticing what’s happening around her, without thinking where she’s going. She didn’t notice the people she bumped into from time to time until she felt burning pain in her shoulder. She looked up and her bright green eyes met those of the Stranger. He smiled at her and offered to walk her home. Neeyla said yes. The whole way she didn’t stop looking at his face. He was a beautiful man. She wanted to have him… at least
Soon they reached Neeyla’s flat.
- So, I stop here. I hope to see you again tomorrow… Neeyla.
She looked shocked.
- How do you know my name?
- Come on, don’t you recognize me, honey?
- But how…
- I wanted to be there. I wanted to show you how beautiful the fire is – he leaned and kissed her. – To show what things it can do.
Neeyla smiled.
- Why do you think I don’t know it’s beauty?
- You wouldn’t let everyone to treat you like dirt. I can give you much more. I can give you power… power to control life. To determine its beginning and its end. You just need to wish it.
Neeyla really felt sick of everyone treating her like she was nothing. The man was speaking truth and she was beginning to like him more and more. She looked him in the eye. Took him by the hand and together they went into her apartment.
The next morning Neeyla woke up with blurred memories of last night. She remembered she left the bar and nothing more. She didn’t know how she came home, nor with who. She got up, got dressed and made coffee. Her phone was ringing. It was her friend. They spoke for ten minutes and Neeyla couldn’t stop hearing a quiet voice whispering in her head. The last few sentences of her friend got Neeyla mad and she started hearing it more and more clearly: “Burn it…”. The voice got stronger and stronger and soon Neeyla couldn’t concentrate on her own thoughts.
She threw the phone on the floor and flames started dancing in her eyes.
- Burn it, honey.
***
The same night her party was again in the bar. Neeyla was sitting looking in her glass.
- What’s up, baby?
Neeyla didn’t pay attention and answered absent minded.
- Nothing.
She continued looking in her glass. She could clearly see how flames started dancing in the middle of her spirit drink. It suddenly caught fire and the Stranger was standing before her.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi. – she smiled and moved with him to the next box without saying a word to her friends.
Later that night Neeyla went to buy cigarettes. When she came back one of her girl friends was waiting for her outside.
- You left us for a guy?
- I’m not in the mood, leave me alone.
Neyyla tried to go in, but the other girl pushed her back.
- We didn’t finish yet, so you’ll be staying here.
- You’re wrong.
Neeyla smiled and got the lighter out of her pocket. The flame was playing before her eyes.
- It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
- Neeyla, leave the lighter and pay attention to what I’m saying!
- Something as small as a match, in our case a lighter, can cause the destruction of a whole world. In our case – your world.
Flames were dancing in Neeyla’s eyes as she jumped on her friend. Minutes later she entered the bar, took her coat and her purse, leaned down and whispered into the Stranger’s ear:
- We have to go.
- Whatever you say… Wildfire.
She smiled and got out quickly.
***
Days later Neeyla was standing on the small terrace of the old cathedral. The night wind was blowing through her red hair and caressing her face. She was looking at the roaring flames under her and appreciated the beauty of fire. The Stranger emerged from the darkness behind her, embraced her and whispered in her year:
- The fire never dies.
He kissed her and they went down the cathedral stairs.
20.09.2006 - 17.12.2006
Replica
~
Neeyla was standing on the small terrace of the old cathedral. The wind was blowing through her red hair and caressing her face. She was looking at the city under her and was trying to comprehend how something so beautiful could hurt her that much.
- Psst…
Neeyla turned around and looked into the small hallway leading to the other terrace. Again she turned her look towards the city.
- Pssst! Neeyla… why are we so sad?... Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like… to make it dance… with the Animal?
- Who’s there? – she looked up to the top of the tower. She saw the Stranger smiling – Who are you?
He jumped, went through the grating as if it did not exist and stood before Neeyla. She looked at him smiling.
- You are not really alive. You’re just in my imagination, right?
- Hahaha, no, honey. I’m real – flesh and blood.
She held her hand out and touched him. When her fingers touched his skin, she felt them as if burning and took her hand back.
- Oh my god, you’re burning!
- Yes, honey, I’m burning. Do you wanna burn too?
- Cool! I’ve no idea who you are, but I like you.
- Look what else I can do…
He grabbed her and started running for the terrace. He jumped. Neeyla closed her eyes. Moment later she opened them and was on the ground.
- How…
- Don’t ask, honey! So do you wanna BURN too?
- Cool! I like fire.
The Stranger smiled and ran his fingers through the girl’s hair.
- Super! I like girls like you. What are you doing tonight?
***
Neeyla opened her eyes. She fell asleep again in the boring English Literature class. She looked at her watch – one hour till her meeting with her friends she didn’t have time for in weeks. She waited for the class to end and went out of the building as if something was chasing her.
An hour later her party was in their favourite place. Neeyla knew most of the people who went there, but tonight a big party of strangers was there. She searched her purse for cigarettes. She took out the lighter, put the cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Closing the lighter’s cap, she put it on the table. She looked over the people in the bar and saw the man from her dream. He noticed her staring at him and winked her. Neeyla stared at him for a little while and then continued looking around.
The whole night she didn’t dare to look for him, but she could feel his burning skin on her fingers… she felt his burning stare.
***
She was walking home slowly. She couldn’t stop thinking about the man from her dream. She was walking without noticing what’s happening around her, without thinking where she’s going. She didn’t notice the people she bumped into from time to time until she felt burning pain in her shoulder. She looked up and her bright green eyes met those of the Stranger. He smiled at her and offered to walk her home. Neeyla said yes. The whole way she didn’t stop looking at his face. He was a beautiful man. She wanted to have him… at least
Soon they reached Neeyla’s flat.
- So, I stop here. I hope to see you again tomorrow… Neeyla.
She looked shocked.
- How do you know my name?
- Come on, don’t you recognize me, honey?
- But how…
- I wanted to be there. I wanted to show you how beautiful the fire is – he leaned and kissed her. – To show what things it can do.
Neeyla smiled.
- Why do you think I don’t know it’s beauty?
- You wouldn’t let everyone to treat you like dirt. I can give you much more. I can give you power… power to control life. To determine its beginning and its end. You just need to wish it.
Neeyla really felt sick of everyone treating her like she was nothing. The man was speaking truth and she was beginning to like him more and more. She looked him in the eye. Took him by the hand and together they went into her apartment.
The next morning Neeyla woke up with blurred memories of last night. She remembered she left the bar and nothing more. She didn’t know how she came home, nor with who. She got up, got dressed and made coffee. Her phone was ringing. It was her friend. They spoke for ten minutes and Neeyla couldn’t stop hearing a quiet voice whispering in her head. The last few sentences of her friend got Neeyla mad and she started hearing it more and more clearly: “Burn it…”. The voice got stronger and stronger and soon Neeyla couldn’t concentrate on her own thoughts.
She threw the phone on the floor and flames started dancing in her eyes.
- Burn it, honey.
***
The same night her party was again in the bar. Neeyla was sitting looking in her glass.
- What’s up, baby?
Neeyla didn’t pay attention and answered absent minded.
- Nothing.
She continued looking in her glass. She could clearly see how flames started dancing in the middle of her spirit drink. It suddenly caught fire and the Stranger was standing before her.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi. – she smiled and moved with him to the next box without saying a word to her friends.
Later that night Neeyla went to buy cigarettes. When she came back one of her girl friends was waiting for her outside.
- You left us for a guy?
- I’m not in the mood, leave me alone.
Neyyla tried to go in, but the other girl pushed her back.
- We didn’t finish yet, so you’ll be staying here.
- You’re wrong.
Neeyla smiled and got the lighter out of her pocket. The flame was playing before her eyes.
- It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
- Neeyla, leave the lighter and pay attention to what I’m saying!
- Something as small as a match, in our case a lighter, can cause the destruction of a whole world. In our case – your world.
Flames were dancing in Neeyla’s eyes as she jumped on her friend. Minutes later she entered the bar, took her coat and her purse, leaned down and whispered into the Stranger’s ear:
- We have to go.
- Whatever you say… Wildfire.
She smiled and got out quickly.
***
Days later Neeyla was standing on the small terrace of the old cathedral. The night wind was blowing through her red hair and caressing her face. She was looking at the roaring flames under her and appreciated the beauty of fire. The Stranger emerged from the darkness behind her, embraced her and whispered in her year:
- The fire never dies.
He kissed her and they went down the cathedral stairs.
20.09.2006 - 17.12.2006
Replica
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Farewell Wildfire
There you go, part two of the Wildfire stories. It was originally written in June 2006 with a different ending than the one you're going to read. Since it seemed that that ending was inappropriate, I decided to change it a month later. I can assure you that this ending is the better of the two. The first came too soon and it was too... how to put it... plain.
The rewritten ending sounds much more better and, fortunately turned out to be a good way to make the connection between this part and the next.
Enjoy...
~
The night wind blew Warren's hair. The stranger from a few days ago came closer behind him and placed his hands on Warren's shoulders.
- Good Warren. We had our payback. Fire devours everything.
Warren smiled and looked at the small bright-yellow dot in the distance - the last city that Warren burned. The last city that dared to oppose to Wildfire, as Warren liked to call himself. Just a look, just a gesture, just an innocent joke were enough to make flames dance in Warren's eyes. Then that quiet, softly whispering voice came in his head, the Stranger's voice - "Burn it..."
The next few hours were shrouded in mist for Warren. Wildfire would awake for his fiery feast. The fire raged around town swallowing the books from the city libraries, drinking the petrol and leaving death, chaos and destruction everywhere.
He was carelessly playing with his lighter while the Stranger was choosing the next destination. He had a map opened before him and he was looking at the countries carefully.
- Germany... no... then Holland... no, no... Austria... no. Damn it, I can't choose a country!
He threw the map aside with annoyance. Warren turned around and looked at him.
- Let me, damn it.
The Stranger took the map and gave it to Warren. He looked at it, smiled a few times. Then he lit his lighter. Right now it was Wildfire holding the map, not Warren. He put the flame under one of the map's corners and it caught fire. A wide smile came on both faces. Wildfire looked at the Stranger and shook his head.
- We don't need a map. We can go from town to town. Sooner or later we will burn everything. No one can escape Wildfire!
- Burn it...
Mist came all around Warren. The Stranger's figure seemed to disappear. The fire in Warren was slowly dying and Wildfire was disappearing.
- Warren! Warren!
His hands caught the edge of the desk. Then he felt someone's moist hand on his cheek. And on the other. He opened his eyes. Sitting on a chair, a desk and a man was leaning over it, looking at Warren with his big blue eyes.
- Warren... I want you to tell me who is Wildfire.
- Who?
- Wildfire. Don't play games with me. Who is he, damn you! - he hit the table and woke Wildfire again. Warren looked down. Then caught the table edge again. His head was up and flames were dancing in his eyes.
- I am Wildfire.
- No, you're Warren. Who is Wildfire?
He took out a cigarette, played a bit with it and started looking for the lighter in his pocket. Warren's eyes glimmered and a sinister smile came to his face.
- You know... something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. This is the Chaos Theory. Through the eyes of a pyroman it sounds like this...
- Don't tell me the fucking Chaos Theory, damn you!
- ...something as small as the flame of a match can cause the destruction of a whole one world.
- Stop with your bullshit, you fucking psycho! Tell me who the hell is Wildfire!
- I told you - I AM WILDFIRE!
- Don't fuck with me! You're Warren!
He found the lighter and took it out. The flintstone clicked.
- This, my dear, was a mistake. The last you would ever make!
Wildfire jumped over the table and after a short fight with the man, the lighter was in his hands. He lit it. The flame was so hypnotizing. The man was lying helpless in his feet. Paper folders and papers were scattered over the table. Wildfire too them and threw them over the man. The next moment Wildfire was gone and Warren came back.
Stunned, he looked at the lighter in his hand then at the pile of paper and the man under it. Warren tried to throw the lighter, but something inside stopped him.
- Don't even think about it, Warren!
- Who...
- Oh, come on... don't play with fire... why do they say it? It's so much fun to play with fire...
- Burn it...
Warren grabbed his head.
- Get out of there! I don't know what or who you are, but get out!
He fell to his knees, still holding the lighter.
- I have to burn it! He cannot threaten Wildfire!
- No!
- Burn it, Warren... just click the flintstone and drop the lighter on the paper.
- NO!
- Burn it... make it dance... with the Animal... hahaha, would you? WOULD YOU?
- I won't burn it!
- Oh, yes, you will. Sooner or later everything burns.
It seemed to him something was pushing his hand closer and closer to the paper.
- That's right, burn it!
In the end, Warren surrendered. Wildfire lit the lighter and let dropped it on the paper. Then he heard the screams of the man. He spat.
- This is what you deserve! NOBODY talks like this to Wildfire!
He dusted his clothes and walked out of the room and down the hall. Left turn, then right. Straight ahead. He got out. By that time Wildfire was gone.
Warren realized what he did and looked at his hands.
- The hands of a killer! - tears turned the world before his eyes to colorful stains. - I have to save the world from me!
He ran to the nearest dark corner and sat there, with his back against the wall. He took out his knife and rolled his sleeves up and was just about to make the fatal cut when he heard the Stranger whispering.
- Why are we so sad, Warren?...Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like to make it... dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
He looked around and saw the Stranger before him. The smile Warren saw the first time he stood in his way was on the Stranger's face again.Warren looked into his eyes. He saw two small flames dancing there and turned his stare away.
- No! Not this time! Wildfire is gone! You can't...
- Stop it, Warren! You can't get rid of Wildfire.
The Stranger took his hand out of the pocket and reached for the knife. Warren moved his hand away.
- Wildfire will die! Now! Here! I don't care if you want it or not!
- Oh, Warren... Wildfire is you. Are you really going to kill yourself?
Warren lashed his hand and the knife pierced the Stranger's heart.
- Yes, I will!
- The fire never dies, Warren. Someone else will take your place tomorrow. The fire is forever! - the Stranger's body caught fire and his words started to be unclear and indistinct. - Remember, Wildfire, tomorrow someone else will take your place! The fire never dies!...
Warren took the knife out of the body and made the fatal cut on his arms. He left himself bleed and with the last strength he could muster, he murmured.
- Farewell, Wildfire...
The Stranger was walking, wrapped in his coat. It was raining. Every time a raindrop touched his body, it would vaporize. He was walking on the alley to the headstone with the angel on it. He stopped and read it.
"Warren Adrien Gray 04.12.1979 - 29.07.2006"
The Stranger took out a black rose and laid it on the stone.
- The fire never dies, Warren... never!
18.06.2006
29.07.2006
Replica
The rewritten ending sounds much more better and, fortunately turned out to be a good way to make the connection between this part and the next.
Enjoy...
~
The night wind blew Warren's hair. The stranger from a few days ago came closer behind him and placed his hands on Warren's shoulders.
- Good Warren. We had our payback. Fire devours everything.
Warren smiled and looked at the small bright-yellow dot in the distance - the last city that Warren burned. The last city that dared to oppose to Wildfire, as Warren liked to call himself. Just a look, just a gesture, just an innocent joke were enough to make flames dance in Warren's eyes. Then that quiet, softly whispering voice came in his head, the Stranger's voice - "Burn it..."
The next few hours were shrouded in mist for Warren. Wildfire would awake for his fiery feast. The fire raged around town swallowing the books from the city libraries, drinking the petrol and leaving death, chaos and destruction everywhere.
He was carelessly playing with his lighter while the Stranger was choosing the next destination. He had a map opened before him and he was looking at the countries carefully.
- Germany... no... then Holland... no, no... Austria... no. Damn it, I can't choose a country!
He threw the map aside with annoyance. Warren turned around and looked at him.
- Let me, damn it.
The Stranger took the map and gave it to Warren. He looked at it, smiled a few times. Then he lit his lighter. Right now it was Wildfire holding the map, not Warren. He put the flame under one of the map's corners and it caught fire. A wide smile came on both faces. Wildfire looked at the Stranger and shook his head.
- We don't need a map. We can go from town to town. Sooner or later we will burn everything. No one can escape Wildfire!
- Burn it...
Mist came all around Warren. The Stranger's figure seemed to disappear. The fire in Warren was slowly dying and Wildfire was disappearing.
- Warren! Warren!
His hands caught the edge of the desk. Then he felt someone's moist hand on his cheek. And on the other. He opened his eyes. Sitting on a chair, a desk and a man was leaning over it, looking at Warren with his big blue eyes.
- Warren... I want you to tell me who is Wildfire.
- Who?
- Wildfire. Don't play games with me. Who is he, damn you! - he hit the table and woke Wildfire again. Warren looked down. Then caught the table edge again. His head was up and flames were dancing in his eyes.
- I am Wildfire.
- No, you're Warren. Who is Wildfire?
He took out a cigarette, played a bit with it and started looking for the lighter in his pocket. Warren's eyes glimmered and a sinister smile came to his face.
- You know... something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. This is the Chaos Theory. Through the eyes of a pyroman it sounds like this...
- Don't tell me the fucking Chaos Theory, damn you!
- ...something as small as the flame of a match can cause the destruction of a whole one world.
- Stop with your bullshit, you fucking psycho! Tell me who the hell is Wildfire!
- I told you - I AM WILDFIRE!
- Don't fuck with me! You're Warren!
He found the lighter and took it out. The flintstone clicked.
- This, my dear, was a mistake. The last you would ever make!
Wildfire jumped over the table and after a short fight with the man, the lighter was in his hands. He lit it. The flame was so hypnotizing. The man was lying helpless in his feet. Paper folders and papers were scattered over the table. Wildfire too them and threw them over the man. The next moment Wildfire was gone and Warren came back.
Stunned, he looked at the lighter in his hand then at the pile of paper and the man under it. Warren tried to throw the lighter, but something inside stopped him.
- Don't even think about it, Warren!
- Who...
- Oh, come on... don't play with fire... why do they say it? It's so much fun to play with fire...
- Burn it...
Warren grabbed his head.
- Get out of there! I don't know what or who you are, but get out!
He fell to his knees, still holding the lighter.
- I have to burn it! He cannot threaten Wildfire!
- No!
- Burn it, Warren... just click the flintstone and drop the lighter on the paper.
- NO!
- Burn it... make it dance... with the Animal... hahaha, would you? WOULD YOU?
- I won't burn it!
- Oh, yes, you will. Sooner or later everything burns.
It seemed to him something was pushing his hand closer and closer to the paper.
- That's right, burn it!
In the end, Warren surrendered. Wildfire lit the lighter and let dropped it on the paper. Then he heard the screams of the man. He spat.
- This is what you deserve! NOBODY talks like this to Wildfire!
He dusted his clothes and walked out of the room and down the hall. Left turn, then right. Straight ahead. He got out. By that time Wildfire was gone.
Warren realized what he did and looked at his hands.
- The hands of a killer! - tears turned the world before his eyes to colorful stains. - I have to save the world from me!
He ran to the nearest dark corner and sat there, with his back against the wall. He took out his knife and rolled his sleeves up and was just about to make the fatal cut when he heard the Stranger whispering.
- Why are we so sad, Warren?...Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? What would we like to do with the town? Would we like to make it... dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
He looked around and saw the Stranger before him. The smile Warren saw the first time he stood in his way was on the Stranger's face again.Warren looked into his eyes. He saw two small flames dancing there and turned his stare away.
- No! Not this time! Wildfire is gone! You can't...
- Stop it, Warren! You can't get rid of Wildfire.
The Stranger took his hand out of the pocket and reached for the knife. Warren moved his hand away.
- Wildfire will die! Now! Here! I don't care if you want it or not!
- Oh, Warren... Wildfire is you. Are you really going to kill yourself?
Warren lashed his hand and the knife pierced the Stranger's heart.
- Yes, I will!
- The fire never dies, Warren. Someone else will take your place tomorrow. The fire is forever! - the Stranger's body caught fire and his words started to be unclear and indistinct. - Remember, Wildfire, tomorrow someone else will take your place! The fire never dies!...
Warren took the knife out of the body and made the fatal cut on his arms. He left himself bleed and with the last strength he could muster, he murmured.
- Farewell, Wildfire...
The Stranger was walking, wrapped in his coat. It was raining. Every time a raindrop touched his body, it would vaporize. He was walking on the alley to the headstone with the angel on it. He stopped and read it.
"Warren Adrien Gray 04.12.1979 - 29.07.2006"
The Stranger took out a black rose and laid it on the stone.
- The fire never dies, Warren... never!
18.06.2006
29.07.2006
Replica
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wildfire
Here it is, my first writing ever.
This is inspired by Sonata Arctica's song Wildfire and has a very special meaning for me, along with it's follow-ups that are going to show up here soon. Don't be too critical on me. :P
~
Do you feel?
Do you care about me?
He was walking on the sidewalk with his head down. He passed thousands of people just while he got to his job, and never saw a smile. He felt sad. He reached for his inner pocket and put the volume up. The tempo was quickening.
Do you feel?
Do you care about me?
Did you wait and love me all this time?
Did someone ever loved him? Was there someone still waiting for Warren to see his unopened letter and read it?... What was he thinking? There was no unopened letter! There were no letters at all. It was e-mails now... and Warren never left unopened e-mails. The next song begun.
Look what have I done to my San Sebastian...
His... was something ever his?
It was good I got to know her, because she made me see, that the sun of San Sebastian is just too hot for me!
Did he ever really knew someone? Did he ever passed through those annoying masks people put on just to hide their true self?
...I’m married to the Moon...
- Well, at least you're married to something. I don't even have this.
People looked at him and wondered who was he talking to. He felt their stairs on him and looked down to his shoes again. He walked counting the paving stones on the sidewalk. One, two, three...
I’m not that easy – blank file in their memory
...four, five, six...
I was born and raised by the sea – shy, yet proud
...seven, eight, a pair of feet, nine, ten, a pair of feet, eleven, twelve, thirteen and a par of feet just on it. He looked up to see who was standing before him. It was a man with a friendly smile in a good leather coat and pants and high boots. Warren smiled at him apatheticaly and stepped to the side to pass the man, but he did the same and was again in his way. Warren looked at him and grinned. The man smiled back, but this time the smile wasn't friendly - something demonic glistened in his eyes. Then, out of nothing, a red tail with a burning end swung behind the stranger and winded around Warren's feet.
- Hello Warren - a voice whispered. It was probably the stranger's, but his lips weren't moving. - It's me. They call it telepathy.
People were passing by as if no one noticed the creature and the man. Warren wasn't afraid, not at all. Like never before for a few seconds everything he ever dreamed of was his - he felt loved and could see people smile at him. Warmth poured into his soul.
Then everything was gone - the stranger vanished and Warren felt as empty as before. He blinked a few times and continued on his journey to work. Two blocks later he turned right, then left, then right again, crossed the street at the crossroad, bought a coffee from the small coffee shop and went into an old, but well-kept building. He greeted the doorman with a smile and all he got in return was one icy nod. He remembered his player was still on, so he turned it off before taking the stairs to the third floor.
A step, second, third, fourth, fifth...
- Waaaarren... why do you bother with those mortals?
Warren stopped. He looked up the stairs expecting it to be one of his colleagues jokes. What jokes? They couldn't even smile. He shrugged and kept going up. Sixth, seventh, eighth...
- Waaaarreeeen...
He smiled a demonic smile and continued up. He reached his office and went in slamming the door behind him saying he doesn't want to be disturbed. He opened the door of the small locker and looked at his reflection in the mirror. The stranger was smiling from there.
- Why are we so sad, Warren?... Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? - Warren grinned and instinctively reached for his lighter. - What would be like to do with the town? Would we like... to make it dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
- Burn it! BURN IT!
Warrens shouted the last words and a fast melody played in his head. Three clear words followed: burn, honey, burn!
Warren went out of the room running. He went down the stairs almost magically, jumping two-three stairs at a time. The voice in his head wouldn't stop repeating "Burn! Burn!". Warren headed for the big library in the heart of the city. He was then going to visit the small ones too and throw the whole town into disarray. But this is what he wanted... and he was going to do it with every city... until the rules are the same for all.
Warren was standing on top of the highest building and was watching the burning city below him. He didn't feel guilty. This was his way of paying back for all he suffered through his twenty six years of life.
Burn, honey, burn...
13.05.2006
Replica
This is inspired by Sonata Arctica's song Wildfire and has a very special meaning for me, along with it's follow-ups that are going to show up here soon. Don't be too critical on me. :P
~
Do you feel?
Do you care about me?
He was walking on the sidewalk with his head down. He passed thousands of people just while he got to his job, and never saw a smile. He felt sad. He reached for his inner pocket and put the volume up. The tempo was quickening.
Do you feel?
Do you care about me?
Did you wait and love me all this time?
Did someone ever loved him? Was there someone still waiting for Warren to see his unopened letter and read it?... What was he thinking? There was no unopened letter! There were no letters at all. It was e-mails now... and Warren never left unopened e-mails. The next song begun.
Look what have I done to my San Sebastian...
His... was something ever his?
It was good I got to know her, because she made me see, that the sun of San Sebastian is just too hot for me!
Did he ever really knew someone? Did he ever passed through those annoying masks people put on just to hide their true self?
...I’m married to the Moon...
- Well, at least you're married to something. I don't even have this.
People looked at him and wondered who was he talking to. He felt their stairs on him and looked down to his shoes again. He walked counting the paving stones on the sidewalk. One, two, three...
I’m not that easy – blank file in their memory
...four, five, six...
I was born and raised by the sea – shy, yet proud
...seven, eight, a pair of feet, nine, ten, a pair of feet, eleven, twelve, thirteen and a par of feet just on it. He looked up to see who was standing before him. It was a man with a friendly smile in a good leather coat and pants and high boots. Warren smiled at him apatheticaly and stepped to the side to pass the man, but he did the same and was again in his way. Warren looked at him and grinned. The man smiled back, but this time the smile wasn't friendly - something demonic glistened in his eyes. Then, out of nothing, a red tail with a burning end swung behind the stranger and winded around Warren's feet.
- Hello Warren - a voice whispered. It was probably the stranger's, but his lips weren't moving. - It's me. They call it telepathy.
People were passing by as if no one noticed the creature and the man. Warren wasn't afraid, not at all. Like never before for a few seconds everything he ever dreamed of was his - he felt loved and could see people smile at him. Warmth poured into his soul.
Then everything was gone - the stranger vanished and Warren felt as empty as before. He blinked a few times and continued on his journey to work. Two blocks later he turned right, then left, then right again, crossed the street at the crossroad, bought a coffee from the small coffee shop and went into an old, but well-kept building. He greeted the doorman with a smile and all he got in return was one icy nod. He remembered his player was still on, so he turned it off before taking the stairs to the third floor.
A step, second, third, fourth, fifth...
- Waaaarren... why do you bother with those mortals?
Warren stopped. He looked up the stairs expecting it to be one of his colleagues jokes. What jokes? They couldn't even smile. He shrugged and kept going up. Sixth, seventh, eighth...
- Waaaarreeeen...
He smiled a demonic smile and continued up. He reached his office and went in slamming the door behind him saying he doesn't want to be disturbed. He opened the door of the small locker and looked at his reflection in the mirror. The stranger was smiling from there.
- Why are we so sad, Warren?... Are we feeling hurt by their evil lies and all those empty words? We are thirsty for payback? - Warren grinned and instinctively reached for his lighter. - What would be like to do with the town? Would we like... to make it dance... with the Animal? Would we? Would we?! Tell us, what would we like to do...
- Burn it! BURN IT!
Warrens shouted the last words and a fast melody played in his head. Three clear words followed: burn, honey, burn!
Warren went out of the room running. He went down the stairs almost magically, jumping two-three stairs at a time. The voice in his head wouldn't stop repeating "Burn! Burn!". Warren headed for the big library in the heart of the city. He was then going to visit the small ones too and throw the whole town into disarray. But this is what he wanted... and he was going to do it with every city... until the rules are the same for all.
Warren was standing on top of the highest building and was watching the burning city below him. He didn't feel guilty. This was his way of paying back for all he suffered through his twenty six years of life.
Burn, honey, burn...
13.05.2006
Replica
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Wanderer
I have walked the burning sands of the south. I have walked the snows of the north. I have been through a thousand of forests, followed by a wilderness with just the rocks as company. Air guides me, telling stories of endless journeys, of things I want to feel, to have. Earth is my eternal companion, my path, my bed, my mother and it will be my grave.
They call me The Wanderer. My name I had forgotten a long time ago. I know just that I seek the truth. I read between the lies of men and I try to put the pieces together.
They call me The Wanderer. My name I had forgotten a long time ago. I do not know if I would ever fit everything together. I do not know if I would complete it all or will I leave what I found to my brothers and sisters. I wonder if we, Wanderers, are not doomed to seek, but never find.
Songs the trees sing give me strength to go on, to cross the sea to reach the divine frontiers. My feet are numb, the burning sun is blinding me, but, hear, I will not give up now. I will not abandon my path. I can still restore my strength and go to the ends of the world.
I am touching the lightning on my neck. I look up, to the sky, to Ukko.
"And when the path ahead looks narrow, let me find my way through it, like a stream searches for it's bed. And when a wall stands before me, let it crumble right away."
They call me The Wanderer.
01.09.2008
Replica
They call me The Wanderer. My name I had forgotten a long time ago. I know just that I seek the truth. I read between the lies of men and I try to put the pieces together.
They call me The Wanderer. My name I had forgotten a long time ago. I do not know if I would ever fit everything together. I do not know if I would complete it all or will I leave what I found to my brothers and sisters. I wonder if we, Wanderers, are not doomed to seek, but never find.
Songs the trees sing give me strength to go on, to cross the sea to reach the divine frontiers. My feet are numb, the burning sun is blinding me, but, hear, I will not give up now. I will not abandon my path. I can still restore my strength and go to the ends of the world.
I am touching the lightning on my neck. I look up, to the sky, to Ukko.
"And when the path ahead looks narrow, let me find my way through it, like a stream searches for it's bed. And when a wall stands before me, let it crumble right away."
They call me The Wanderer.
01.09.2008
Replica
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