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