Short Stories

Burning Brighter Part 2: Burning from Within

" Do you think she is going to wake up?"

"She should. I hope. Considering how hard she went through the transition, I am not exactly sure. Trauma can cause uncontrollable power spikes. I am not sure what will happen if she remembers everything."

Everything around me sounds deep and distant. My entire body aches and tingles with warmth. Eyelids heavy with pain, I somehow manage to open my eyes. Everything is blurry and disoriented and my head pulses as my eyes adjust to the lighting. With a groan, my head lolls to the side as something slips off my forehead. The last thing I remember was dancing at the party with Josiah and then that man...Wait... that man. Suddenly everything hits me like a wave. My mind starts spinning and every emotion is soaking me.

Oh god, that man. He raped me and I killed him... and that fire. My hands they were flames. Flames. Yet I wasn't burning, I didn't feel anything. Nothing, no pain.

"Edna!"

My body is shaking as I stare at my trembling hands. The skin is not scorched or burn, it isn't even red. Yet I clearly remember my hands being engulfed in flames. Oh god. What was I? I am a monster. I murdered that man. I am a killer.

"Edna!"

My eyes snap up to see Josiah's terrified and worried gaze. His arm wraps around my shoulders as he pulls me into his chest. I can't even move as a sob wracks my body.

I was raped. That man took advantage of me and I killed him.

I let myself melt against Josiah's body as I wail into his chest, digging my nails into his back. I cry and I cry and I cry until my body slips under from exhaustion and I succumb to the darkness of a nightmare.

With a cry in fright, I curl myself tighter into a ball. Moving my shoulders I can feel the warmth radiating against my body. An arm that lays across my abdomen pulls me in close until my back in pressed against their chest.

"Shhh... it's okay... you're okay, I got you. I am here"

Josiah. I must've fallen asleep in his arms.

His voice is soothing as his hand caresses my abdomen. I snuggle myself closer to him, entangling our legs under the sheet. Everything about this feels right. It feels warm and nice. I intertwine my fingers with his as I feel myself drifting back asleep listening to his voice as he whispers in my ear.

When I wake up once more, I am alone in the bed but my hand is being clutched. I find my mother holding my hand as she stares at the ground. I can't tell if she is praying. My parents are not very religious although they do believe that there is a higher being. I remember everything. The party, being raped, killing the man, crying in Josiah's arms.

"Mom?"

Her headshoots up and when she meets my gaze she smiles letting out a sigh of relief.

"Hi hunny." She moves to the edge of the bed, her hand still tightly clutching mine. I notice silent tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying? I am okay."

She chuckles, wiping at her eyes, " I know sweetie. You are so strong." When I don't responds she lets out a light-hearted laugh, " I guess you want an explanation...Let's get you some food and we will explain everything."

I allow my mom to help me out of bed as my tight muscles strain from lack of use. With her arm around my waist, she helps me down the steps and into the kitchen. We find father at the stove cooking omelets . Josiah sits at the one end of the table, shoveling food in his mouth as he browses through the newspapers.