The Golden Watch of Flames

The flames scorch against my pale skin as I push through the wall of flames. The beating in my chest is almost louder than the crackle of the inferno around me. Smoke billows from the spastic flames and collects at the ceiling in a thick shroud of darkness. A large snap is heard above me and before I have a chance to react, a blazing board falls from its place of support in the ceiling and makes contact with my right shoulder. I wince at the pain and look over to assess the damage. My skin looks burnt and torn with blood gushing from the point of impact. The sleeve of my shirt has flames clinging to it, them spreading over my shoulder. I tear the tattered cloth from the rest of my top and wrap it around my shoulder, pushing myself ahead. I try not to focus on the details around me. Like the living room where I’ve spent three years of my life. The kitchen where I’ve held many dinners and parties. The pictures on the walls, telling stories that I'll never see a depiction of again. But as I said, I try not to focus on these details. Just about making it to my destination shows only hell ahead. The door is clad in glowing lace that looks soft to the touch, but I know damn well it is hot. I kick the door down and jump through the flames that intertwine themselves with my appendages. I land hard against my feet on the other side of the door. A sharp pain shoots through my leg down into my ankle and I suck in a breath. Turning brings my attention to the deplorable conditions of a place that I once called my bedroom. The room is almost entirely engulfed in flames and they eat away any remnants remaining. A cough and a soft groan direct my attention to the floor. I see a dark throw blanket draped over a figure on the floor and I immediately know who it is. 

“Hey..” I begin, rushing to his side to help him up. I’m met with a groan and hands making their way out of the thick overspread. I move my hands to meet his and grab hold of them. “Hey, calm down. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I firmly grab one of his arms and wrap my other arm around his torso to help support him. “Here, let’s stand. Slowly..” I begin standing, lifting his weight with mine, but not going too fast as to push him too much. But we must get out of here. Once we are both on our feet, he leans heavily against me for the support he is lacking. I do my best to hold him up, the blanket still wrapped around his face and body. Standing brings to my attention the high amount of smoke filling the room. Taking a breath proves to be painful and it feels as though I’m ripping the lining of my esophagus as tainted air fills my already strained lungs. A harsh cough forces itself from my lips and I just about fall over. I lean against the wall for support and start making my way out of the house. Just as we make it to the bedroom door, a support beam falls, landing directly in front of the door. Hot ash shoots up and hits me in my cheek, sending a burning sensation through the flesh on my face. I groan and lift a hand to my cheek, a stinging sensation rushing through my face as soon as my hand makes contact. I turn, my eyes scanning the burning room for some kind of salvation. My eyes immediately land on the window and I let out a heavy breath. Wrapping my arm around my significant other, I lead both of us to the window, watching to not trip on debris along the way. We stop at the window sill and I lift my hand to the pane of glass. It’s hot to the touch and it slightly burns my fingertips. After a slight wince, I attempt to open the window. It doesn’t budge and after a few seconds, I realize it is locked. My hand reaches up and fumbles with the lock for a few seconds before it clicks over to the other side. In the blink of an eye, I tore the window open and pushed my husband out the window, him falling out and landing on a shrub not more than a few feet below the edge. I take a deep breath and take one last look at my home. One last look at my bedroom that I’ll never see again. On the desk, a golden, incandescent glow catches my eye. A familiar gold pocket watch stands out over the flames. I think for a moment before taking a step forward and grabbing it in my palm. It’s completely cold to the touch and chills me to the bone, despite the roaring flames dancing around me. I stop for a second, getting lost in my thoughts. I honestly don’t know what I’m thinking about, my mind just feels blank. I’m broken from my binding thoughts when I hear my name being called. I shake my head and rush over to the window, swiftly sliding out and landing to my feet with a sharp sting in my ankles. I let off a small groan, but before I can really react to what just happened, I’m scooped off my feet. I feel a very familiar presence and I’m calmed by the soothing touch of my other half. I let off a really heavy breath that I didn’t know I was holding in and fall against him and he lowers himself to the ground. 

“Are you okay?” I question, looking up at him. He removes the blanket from around him and drops it to his side.

“Yes. What about you?” He questions, turning me in his arms and looking me over. His eyes scan over my cheek, then to my shoulder and back. 

“I’m fine. But your face..” I begin, looking over his face and seeing a large gash, pouring blood down his face. It runs from his right temple, over his cheekbone, and ends at his chin. I lift my hand to his dirty, stress-worn face. He grabs my hand and holds it in his. 

“It’s alright. I’m okay. We’ll be fine.” He responds softly, laying his head back against the ground. I sigh and lay on the ground next to him, clutching the last of our possessions in my palm. The chill of the metal runs through my palm, causing me to squeeze it just a little tighter. 

“Hey.. Guess what I found?” I say, looking over at him and seeing our house burning away over his shoulder. He grunts in response, awaiting what I have to say. I merely take his hand and push the antique, golden watch into his palm. I close his fingers around it and push his hand closer to him. He sits up slightly and looks down at his hand. I can see his eyes light up slightly at the sight of the golden chain slipping through his fingers. 

“You didn’t…” He begins, his voice soft. His hand falls open as he stares down expectantly. 

“I did.” I respond with a voice as equally soft as his. I glance down at his hand and see the beautiful gold piece shine valiantly in the glow of the flames. He is real quiet for several seconds before looking over at me. I know why. Such a small watch holds such importance to him. It was his mother’s. She gifted him it before her passing. 

“Thank you..” His arms hold me a little tighter and he clutches his fist close to his chest. I only nod and pull his face close to mine. We push our foreheads together and just appreciate each other’s presence.