Pyr

by Grace L.

“So, how’s school today? Any… new friends?” my mom asked while she poured herself some tea. I shook my head, slumping against the chair as I rolled my eyes.

“No, mom. Just because it’s the first day of freshman year doesn’t mean that I’m going to be making friends. I have to take it slowly,” I said, ignoring the guilt that was sinking in my chest. She sipped her tea and looked at me, her eyes brimming with worry.

“But promise me that you’ll try to do it tomorrow, okay honey? I don’t want to keep seeing you eating lunch by yourself.” My mom gave me a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Concern was dripping in her voice, and the sugarcoat was already melting away. I could already sense that she was worried.

“Okay, I got it. You don’t have to keep nagging me for that. I’ll find a way,” I promised her and carried my backpack upstairs. I let out a sigh and plopped on my bed, letting my comforter envelop me. My mind was full of racing thoughts. What if I make friends, what would my mother do? Throw a party? What if my friends are actually fake? What would I do? Seek revenge? End my relationship? Possibly tell my mom? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as they started swarming around in my mind again. The room suddenly felt warm and cozy, since it was fall. I could smell a familiar smell, what was it? Wood? Leaves? Barbecue? Was it… fire? 

“Tessa! Get out of the house! It’s on fire!” my mom screamed from below, but my legs couldn’t move. I started to panic, finding ways to make them move again. I slapped them furiously, tears pouring out of my eyes uncontrollably. Before I could get up, my mom ran to me and scooped me up. Her face was marred with ashes with a big gash on her arm with blood gushing out. It was in a deep purple-ish red-ish color, and puss was already oozing out, with burn marks around it.

“Mom! Your arm! Are you okay?” I asked, making sure that she was fine even though she wasn’t. Typical me. 

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. Just hold on tight,” she replied, squeezing her eyes shut, and she was probably in deep pain. She carried me downstairs, stumbling over a few steps that were disintegrating away. The fire was already spreading into the kitchen and the living room. Part of the ceiling creaked, and it fell down right on top of us, making me scream, bracing myself for the pain. I squeezed my eyes shut as I waited for it, but saw my mother buried under the block of wood and I was barely touched by the fallen ceiling.

“Mom!” I screeched, pulling her arm, but it was no use. Sobs racked my back, blurring my vision, trying to get the smoke out of my lungs, but I was still coughing.

“Don’t worry about me, just get out!” she said as fire engulfed her. I ran out, my chest heaving. A sob broke from my throat as I watched the house burn down.

“Sweetie, are you okay?” a voice interrupted me, making me jump. I turned around and saw a blurry figure crouching at me. I wiped my tears away. Her face was full of weariness, her lip twisted into a sad smile. I shook my head as tears started welling up again. I just lost my mother and she asked me if I was okay? That was such an absurd question to ask when you’re grieving for your mom.

“Who are you?” I managed to get out, glaring at her. Her green eyes shined with sympathy and patted me on my shoulder. 

“You probably don’t know me, but I’m your aunt,” she replied grimly, brushing her hair out of her face. I narrowed my eyes, suspicion creeping up to me.

“And now you’re going to kidnap me? Also, if you’re my aunt, why did you come at this time instead of saving your ‘sister’?” I laughed bitterly, my hands clenched into fists. My ‘aunt’ tilted her head in confusion, pursing her lips and quirked a brow.

“Well, I’m going to send you to the first kingdom since I am your only guardian. Also, that’s where you’re going to learn. I know you’re still shocked by the sudden death, but I have to fulfill her wish. Your mom said that if she dies, I have to send you to the first kingdom. I’m really sorry for your loss, but she’s also my sister, and being torn apart from each other is painful. I know how you feel, but I don’t want that to impact your life. I can’t always be there for her, it’s her time.” She hugged me tightly, and I finally sank into her arms. I closed my eyes and tried to think about all the good memories with my mom, but they were already fading.

“Of course it’s going to affect me! What kind of person would not be?! What’s the first kingdom? You’re just blabbering random stuff from your mouth,” I snapped, frowning at her. 

“It’s where the people who can control fire live. I just want to make sure that you have some sort of power,” the stranger responded, her gaze distant.

“So I have powers?” I said incredulously.

“I’ll explain later, we don’t have time for this right now,” she muttered, and dragged me to a secluded area filled with pine trees. The woody aroma filled my nose, giving flashbacks when my mom and I used to play there when I was small. I could literally hear her giggling as we played tag. I swallowed back a sob, turning my attention to my ‘aunt.’

 She waved her hand, then snapped it shut. Sparks flew from her palm, making zapping noises. A purple dot sparked, then appeared in the middle of two tree trunks, becoming larger every second until it looked like a nebula. She gestured for me to go in, but I just gave her a bemused look. She sighed and shook her head, and without any warning, and I mean nada, the lady just shoved me into the porthole. I screamed and flailed my arms around, and felt my face being hit by a gust of hot air. I groped for anything that was floating so I could hold onto something, but there was nothing. A moment later, my ‘aunt’ slowly floated down, taking her sweet time while I was free falling, looking ungraceful as ever. She huffed and landed on the grass softly while I fell head first, and pain shot through my elbow, blazing its way to my back. I muffled my yelp by pressing my face to the ground. 

“Are you okay?” my aunt asked, concerned. I nodded, the spots still throbbing while dusting the freshly cut grass off my pants. I inhaled sharply, untangling my messy hair. 

“Yup, good as new,” I said sarcastically, looking around nervously. I shoved my hands into my pockets and looked around wildly. The sky was a beautiful sunset, and the wind was warm. Something dropped from the air, and it landed with a thud. I walked towards it and found out it was an ornate ruby pendant, shining brightly. I started wandering before a hand caught my wrist.

“Careful, you might lure yourself into a death trap. Happened to me once and thankfully got saved by a hunter. This place is full of interesting…things.” My aunt pulled me away and walked briskly towards a stone building that was on the verge of crumbling. Her grip tightened as she stepped on the broken stone path, carefully not stepping on the sharp ones that were protruding the loose soil.

“What are we doing?” My breath hitched and my mind went alert.

“We’re going to see the witch,” she said matter of factly, her eyes darting around asif she was expecting something to jump out at us. 

“W-why?” I stammered, looking for a response, but she just shook her head, stopping at the door. The wood was already rotting, hanging on the last three nails for dear life. I followed her, unease settled in my stomach.

“Who’s the Witch?” I looked at her, searching for answers. She sighed, annoyed at my pestering. 

“Look child, I don’t know what’s in you, but you sure are a pathetic person.” My aunt rolled her eyes. Hurt blossomed in my chest, the person I trusted now became a monster. Tears spiked in my eyes, and I forced them down. She yanked the door opening, almost pulling it off. Moss sprinkled down onto my aunt’s hair, but she ignored it. 

“Come, child. Don’t make her wait for you,” she sniffed, looking at me with disgust. I bit my lip from crying, but the tear betrayed me. My aunt noticed it, but it just made her expression harden more.

About the Author  

Grace is currently 13 years old and enjoys any type of writing except for poetry. Writing has sparked interest since she was in fourth grade.