The Ember in the Air

The road was slick and wet with rain as a bright red car drove down it. The driver could barely see in front of her-yet they kept going. Murmured something incomprehensible.

The mist seemed to warp and wrap around the car, making the forest appear, at least to any normal person-frightening. But she kept driving. She wasn’t normal.

The large pine trees towered over the car, looming over her like monsters in the mist. One would generally think the large shadows to be intimidating. Not her.

The wind whistled and howled through the trees. It almost seemed to be saying something. It almost sounded like it was in pain. Like it was human. She shook her head. Wind didn’t have feelings-she was being ridiculous

Rain began to splatter on the windshield. She smiled, slightly, as the rain began to pound on the car, making a cacophony of sound. Rain was distracting. And she wanted to stay distracted.

–-------~-------

It slithered through the mist. Thunder boomed and rain began to splatter on its coat, making it slick and wet. Mud squelched beneath its scales.

It opened its mouth, and let a howl of complete suffering and agony into the world. 

Lightning flashed

Thunder boomed.

It didn’t feel better.

It breathed.

In.

Out.

Its grey eyes flickered. It thought- for a second of her past life, jumbled images flickering through her mind. Shook her head. That wasn’t who she was anymore. 

The sun was setting now, it noticed. Night would soon fall. That beautiful, suffocating darkness. It could drown out thoughts-any thoughts. Something ran in the treetops above it. It would need dinner that night.

That was something it could do. Predatory instinct took over and the hunt-however short it was-stopped the thoughts, even if it was only for a short time.

–-------~--------

The sun had nearly disappeared over the horizon, she noticed. Didn’t like the dark. She tugged the top part of the sleeping bag closer to her face, trying to comfort herself. Trying to not be scared.

A face-a round, kind one with brown, sparkling eyes and shoulder-length hair, one with a smile that could light up a room-appeared briefly in her mind. She shook her head slightly, trying to banish it away.

She got in her sleeping bag, pulling the inside pocket to her chin and closing her eyes, trying to fall asleep.

But something seemed to be tugging at her heart. A dull, aching pain telling her to move forward. In most scenarios, she wouldn't have listened. But the urging was so strong, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep or focus on anything else besides this. It felt like it was a calling. She knew what she had to do.

She shoved her things hurriedly and forcefully into her backpack before getting up, against her better judgment, and walking into the forest. 

Her silhouette looked frail against the huge trees, like a small fairy or nymph next to huge, powerful giants. She knew she shouldn't do this, at least, not at night. Who knows what could get her then. She took a flashlight out of her backpack, shined it in the darkness, it illuminating some small creature that quickly ran off.

She could feel the aching feeling tug at her more as if some invisible force was pushing her along the path. As she walked, she saw a bright light in the distance behind a tree. However, as soon as she came close to investigate it, it suddenly disappeared. Shrugging it off as her flashlight reflecting off a shiny surface, she kept going. 

She heard something slithering behind her in the still-wet ground. She stood very still for a moment, afraid she was going to be attacked. 

It slithered closer. She could see it tensing as if it were about to strike.

It slithered, almost touching her foot. It seemed to whisper something to her.

Blue, it whispered.

It slithered closer. She could feel it on her thick leather boot.

It slithered up her body, nearing her head. She stood very still. She hated snakes and knew she was in quite the predicament.

It was almost at her head. She could see the individual scales of its body.

Its eyes were to hers, and they looked...strangely familiar?

Suddenly, something swooped down, capturing the snake in one fell swoop. She felt a tear forming near the corner of her eye. 

--------~--------

She woke up in a sweat, beads covering her face. her heart was beating strangely quickly, and it scared her how much she cared about that peculiar snake.

It appeared in her mind again, and she realized it had some sort of stone embedded in its forehead. it didn't seem to be in pain about it, though, which was peculiar, but a lot of things she had experienced were peculiar.

And the name it seemed to hiss at her...Blue. She hadn't heard that in a long time. She didn't like hearing about it, either.

She sighed and tried to go back to sleep, though she knew it would be difficult, as this strange dream would pull her away from her normally dreamless sleep.

--------~--------

Red ran off into the forest, silhouette disappearing into the trees. Blue's shoulders fell in sadness. What had she done? She didn't need to confess her feelings and certainly didn't need to tell Red then.

She held her head in her hands, marveling at what she had done. I just ruined our friendship. She must think me weird. It's all my fault. 

She wanted to run after Red, tell her that she was just kidding, she didn't have feelings for her, that would be crazy. She knew Red wouldn't believe her. She didn't believe herself

She started to walk down the worn sidewalk filled with stones at an off-angle and broken glass. She glanced up at the stars, always shining brightly for her and supporting her. They were covered by clouds.

She almost tripped on a rock, and as she looked down, she noticed the familiar silhouette of her old red house. The lights were all off there, meaning her parents wouldn't notice when she snuck in as they were in bed. 

She climbed up the ladder she had left for herself next to her bedroom window. As soon as she was in her room, she hopped into bed and fell asleep without a second thought.

She was woken by the sound of Red's mom calling her name.

----------~----------

She got back into her old red car, starting it to get back on the road. She placed her backpack back into the car meticulously, making sure it didn't fall over.

She started back on the road, the car gently bumping over stones in the road. She was so deep in thought it didn't bother her like it normally did, instead comforting her. The gentle sound of the rain splattering on the car windows sounded like music, and her eyes glazed over.

There was something vague in the middle of the road, like a silhouette of some large animal. She jumped slightly and hit the breaks. Hard. She stepped out, cautiously, trying to see the damage she had caused, and if the animal was okay. 

Instead, all she saw was a long grey snake with a stone embedded on its forehead. She backed up, her face turning pale. It slithered closer to her, and now it was definite- this was the very same one from her dream.

It slithered to her to touch her foot, then started sliding up her leg. It reached her chest, and she was suppressing the urge to scream.

When it reached her neck, a surprising wave of calm came over her. She could feel the snake relaxing, too.

When it reached her head, and she could look at it face-to-face, she finally recognized those eyes. "Red" she breathed, in awe and shock and surprise and fear, all jumbled together.

The stone on its forehead started to glow with warm yellow light, and its eyes followed suit. 

She realized that it was the same light as the one in the woods. And the thing on it, no her forehead was an ember, not a stone.

"Red, I'm so sorry," Blue said, hugging the snake, and shut her eyes, trying to pretend it was Red. When she next opened her eyes, a young woman was standing in front of her, hugging her.

Tears of joy and sadness and relief of finding something long lost ran down both of their faces.

"Blue, I was scared, and I didn't tell you...I have feelings for you too.". It was then that Blue noticed Red's lips and how much she wanted to kiss them. Red seemed to be feeling the same way, and their faces slowly approached the other. 

When their lips touched, fireworks spread through her body. The butterflies in her stomach burst and let out puffs of joy. She wanted to stay this way forever.

"I love you, Aza, always have, and always will." Blue whispered into her shoulder "Ever since I met you, ever since I saw your wonderful personality... I couldn't help it.

And she said two wonderful words back that filled Blue with light, precious joy that she never wanted to go away.  

"Me too."