Engulfed in Flames

“Well, it seems as if things have gotten a bit out of hand then, haven’t they?” Ascelin treaded through a city that was once born of stone, and was now created of fire. Ghosts of what the city once was clouded her vision; flashes of her child-like self grinning as she was handed gelato quickly broken by the reverberation of the ice cream shop’s foundation falling to the floor. She saw herself with her best friend, Kaen, dancing through the park that was now reduced to rubble in the city square. She stood silently in the middle of the street, a node in the chaotic branches of calamity upon the city. A tingle of heat worked its way up her spine, and she smiled. The scent of burning wood filled her lungs as she inhaled deeply, raising her arms as she embraced the flames that were slowly growing in size. Screams filled her ears, and yet her mind was silent. When was the last time that ever happened? Despite the peacefulness of the moment, in the eye of the storm, she knew that she still had one more stop she needed to complete.

Ascelin strode up the stairs and fire escapes to where she knew Kaen would be. Embers and ash dashed through her vision, the red hue of the burning city below thickening as she ascended higher. Coughing, she pulled herself up to the rooftop. She staggered to her feet, soot coating her tailcoat and wind whipping her hair. Despite Ascelin’s careful silence, Kaelin turned from where he sat at the edge. “Have a seat,” he said over his shoulder.

She sauntered to where he sat, taking a place next to him. They stayed perched upon the ledge for a very long time, and beheld the inferno beneath them. Vehicle alarms went off before they were quickly silenced by the eruption of their engines, awnings and banners flying from windows and being incinerated before they even met the flames. Oh, how different this view was from the first time she and him had sat her as children. The ice cream truck replaced with the wails of sirens, the squeals of children substituted with the screams of the damned.

Kaen looked at Ascelin through the corner of his vision. The orange hue waltzed upon her statuesque face like shadows, her once distinct freckles covered by ash. The embers dancing through the air brought out the flecks of gold in the paragon’s eyes. Noticing his stare, Ascelin turned to Kaen and smiled; the familiar twinkle of mischief still remained in her eyes after all these years. He returned the gesture with a smirk of his own as he rose to his feet. He peered down to the ground many, many levels below and more importantly, the fire steadily working its way up each of them. He looked to find Ascelin doing the same.

However, they looked to one another again, their wind-tousled hair and dirt-flecked cheeks stark against their skin. A side smile growing on his face, Kaen reached his hand out to grasp Ascelin’s. Rolling her eyes, but grinning as well, she took it. The flames licked their way up the building, until they raged against the iron door to the roof. “See you in the next life then, I suppose?” Kaen laughed, tears lining his eyes. “How unfortunate that would be.” Ascelin teased for the final time.

The inferno finally burst through the door. Whether minutes or seconds or hours had passed, neither of them knew. However, once the flames had engulfed them both, they were with each other.

And it was enough.

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Hello, Vocal+!

My name is Emberly Marquez, and I am absolutely thrilled to have been given the opportunity to participate in a contest such as this one. Ever since I was very young, I have had an affinity for literature and writing stories. However, completing a post-apocalyptic YA novel has more recently been a potential challenge to me. I am currently applying for high school, and recently received a scholarship of $3,000 to my dream school for the strength of my application. However, this won’t be enough to pay for the full tuition. All my life, I have wanted to attend Columbia University and pursue a career in the world of literature, and it seems that the education that this school can provide for me can make that dream a reality. If this short story can go the distance, and even win a prize of $5,000, it can create all the difference.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Emberly Marquez