The Fire Took Him
Written by Rebecca Carlyle
The acrid smell of smoke burned through her nostrils from across the street. The middle-class suburban row of houses was darkened by clouds that hid the moon, all except for the single house that was ablaze. Even from here, she could feel the heat of the flames that licked the sides of the building. Her cheeks were flushed from excitement and exertion. It had been a battle to get outside of the burning house before the exits had become inaccessible.
The brightest nest will be purified, the brave house burned out by the pyre-
She stood entranced by the sight before her, unable to look away from the wreckage she had created. The light gleamed onto the sidewalk and the street but didn't quite reach her from where she watched. She felt an odd sense of calm settling on her soul, quieting the thoughts that whirled about her mind.
The body will grow cool the bone-vessel broken, and the flames die down-
How long would her wonder last for? Instinctually she knew that she should be terrified and trying to figure out what her next step needed to be. For now, though, she was content in the freedom this presented. She could recreate her life, start over fresh without the storm clouds that seemed to follow her about.
Lights in a neighbor’s house flicked on and shouts could be heard as they awoke and raised the alarm of the fire. Their door was thrust open as they ran out into the street, shouting into their phone. She shrank back into the shadows, letting the foliage swallow her whole.
Flames will be in motion, ignited by sin.
Her thoughts turned back to the moment that everything went to hell. The dark room with clothes scattered all over the plush carpeted floor. Him standing in the middle of it all, face contorted in rage. The mirror across from her, reflecting how his back muscles flexed in anger. Her own face was barely visible, yet her emotions were so easily displayed: dismay, confusion, hurt, and a mix of indigence.
The fight that ensued consisted of throaty sentiments and raspy threats, jabbing fingers, and defensive hands. It was too easy to become wild. A fist flying at her and her body crumpling beneath the weight and momentum. Flesh throbbing and swelling on her face, a kaleidoscope of colors flashing before her eyes. Blinking away tears, she stumbled to her feet, narrowly avoiding contact with another strike. In return, she swept all the contents from the top of his dresser to join the clothes on the floor.
It started as an accident, a candle knocked from the dresser to the floor, but once it began to spread it was unstoppable. His eyes wide with panic, he screamed at her to stomp it out. He made an attempt to tamp it out with a blanket, but she ripped it from his hands. Her mind spinning faster than she could keep up with, she fed the fire instead, giving the blanket to it. As if she had made an actual decision, she found herself shutting him in the room and pushing the hall chest in front of it, blocking his path. The heat chased her down the hall and she blocked his screams from her mind. She only ended her flight when she had dashed across the front lawn, dove to the other side of the street, and fell behind a row of trees.
Soon made afresh sundered from his sins-
He got what he deserved. She never thought of herself as spiteful, but she hoped that it was painful. Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she could sense the smell of burnt skin and hair follicles. It wasn't a particularly good scent, but it brought her an odd feeling of satisfaction, even going so far as to deem herself content.
Death shall never harm-
His death was her rebirth. The black smoke billowing into the night sky thickened and swirled, blue and red lights shining through them, swirling and dancing at her revelation.
