Crystallized Dreams

Chapter 4: Fire

Michael paced around his bedroom, tapping away on his cell phone. Ever since he left Katie and Josh's house only minutes ago, he hadn't been able to get ahold of the two again. After over 20 failed call attempts, he decided to go and get a snack from the kitchen.

As he stepped out of his bedroom, he caught a glimpse of a very bright light outside the window. The current time was 10:26 PM, and even though it was summer, it's not common for it to look like broad daylight at this time of night. Out of his curiosity Michael walked over to the window and gazed outside.

"Mom! Dad!" He cried in terror when he saw billowing flames and smoke from only blocks away.

"We already know. Grab your things right now because the fire department will be here at any moment to evacuate us!" Came his mother's reply from the living room.

Michael didn't hesitate to go back into his room to grab his most important belongings. He pulled his school backpack out of the closet and began putting his things inside. By the time he was done, his bag was completely full and quite heavy.

I think that's all I'll need, Michael thought to himself while putting his backpack on. He adjusted the straps slightly before walking back over to the door.

And as if on cue, the front door to the house burst open and two firefighters came inside the house.

"This is the fire department! Anyone in this house is to exit immediately!" one of them called in a booming voice.

Michael ran out of his room as fast as he could and to the front door. "Hold your breath, kid!" the fireman said and took his hand. Together, they ran outside and made their way to a large car filled with many other people who had been evacuated from their homes. The smoke hang low overhead as Michael was escorted into the vehicle. Once his parents were seated on both sides of him, the car took off for the nearest evacuation station, which was still a few hours drive.

That fire is located SO close to Katie and Josh's home; or maybe even right on top of it! Michael thought to himself as he gazed out the windows. How can this be happening?

Out of nowhere, a small purple cloud appeared in the sky and vanished to reveal Elvira, floating in midair. Down on the road below her drove the evacuation vehicle that Michael and his family were riding in. Elvira looked at the car and thought up a plan that would involve some kidnapping, and ultimately, blackmail. If she went through with this idea, then the power of the Crystal Flames would certainly be hers. No doubt about it. It was just a matter of time.

Elvira waited for the perfect time to strike. Fortunately there was no traffic on the roads, making this whole process a lot easier.

The evacuation car slowed down to make a left turn. Little did the driver know that around that corner, the face of doom and destruction literally waited for them to fall right into her little trap.

Once Elvira saw the front of the car emerge from the corner, she held her hands out and got ready for impact. The driver of the vehicle had no time to react and, when he thought he would run her over, the car suddenly stopped. The force that the witch had applied to make the car to stop even caused the windows to shatter. Everyone inside just stared in shock through the broken windshield and at the fine looking lady who had effortlessly stopped the car right in it's tracks.

Elvira walked to the left side of the car and opened the door. She then made a card appear in her hand. It had strange-looking symbols on it and it was emitting a blue aura.

"Now freeze!" She said and threw the card inside. With shimmer of sparkles, it vanished and everyone inside the car just... froze. No one was moving apart from Elvira and Michael.

"You're coming with me, sunshine," the witch said as she bound the boy's arms and legs with with magical ropes.

"Hey! L-Let me go-" Michael was cut off when a gag appeared on his mouth.

"Come now, my toy," Elvira said. "When your friends realize you're gone, they'll have no choice but to give up their powers if they want you back alive. Hahahaha!"