| There Is a Sky |
| By Lyndsey L |
| Part 5 |
| Fire. The young boy ran swiftly across the fields; the little grass that grew there this season did not hinder him much. This was good. Even though the older children trailing him were faster, he knew that if he got enough of a head start, their lack of stamina would catch up. He smiled grimly. He knew, for now, he would get away. Panting, he slumped against an old fence orange with rust, attempting to catch his breath. Even while winded, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of color--it was so swift that he couldn't even remember what it was--around the side of the house. He thought perhaps it was green. But it didn't really matter. For now, all he needed to do was get inside. He stumbled up the pathway to the side door, an old, battered, screened thing hanging precariously off the concrete porch by one hinge. A fist came out of nowhere and struck him on the jaw. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Looten was staring at the matches in his left hand, totally unaware of the empty gas can in his right. This would be so quick…this one place, the hell that took twenty years to accrue…gone in three minutes. He chuckled. One element that wasn't half bad. Fire. The petroleum-soaked house would go up within seconds, provided that he struck the match… The match. Don't you dare strike that. What? "You want to kill me in my sleep, don't you?" Richard snarled, grabbing the boy's left wrist, pushing it back almost to the snapping point, which caused him to drop the book of matches. Looten shook physically, whimpering, "No, I don't, I swear I was just playing with-" Almost with a practiced ease, Richard backhanded him. "Stop lying, boy!" He kicked at that the small child on the floor, still dazed by the initial blow. "Why must you always lie?! You never tell the truth, so you can start now! Were you or were you not trying to-" "NO, I swear Daddy! I love you, please, I would never to that!" Looten shrieked in a shrill tone, almost with a twinge of panic. When he had finally woken up from the thrashing, still curled into a tight ball, he thought if he had really wanted his father dead. And decided that perhaps he did lie. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Plunder thought he heard something in the side yard. Like some kids yelling… He started for the screen door. The matches lay forgotten in the pain-filled dust. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Theo was in serious trouble, and he knew it. One of the older children had, apparently, mystically gained some endurance and had actually caught him trying to seek refuge into the old house. The bigger kid, who went by the name of Pike, stood over him, watching him spit out a tooth. "You little crack head, stealing our shit! I though I told you what would happen if I caught you within a mile of the cabin…" He brought his fists up menacingly. "And now I'll show you!" Theo brought his arms protectively over his face, trying feebly to reduce what damage Pike would inflict on him. "Loo-ok," he stammered. "I swear I didn't take anything. I was walking home and I passed the cabin…" he trailed off, knowing it would do no good. Pike grabbed him by both shoulders and slammed him against the side of the house. Adjusting his grip, he grasped Theo's collar with one hand, and drew back to deliver a final blow. He tried to swing forward, but noticed dimly that his fist wouldn't move. He glanced back to see why. And found himself staring into a pair of vengeful blue eyes. Pike felt weak in the knees. Some tall man had grabbed his wrist, bending it back quite far. The man did not look his sanest. "Get out," Plunder rasped. Pike, needing no second bidding, tore his arm away and fled in terror. Theo looked on with a terrified curiosity. He was about to stammer out a word of thanks, when the man turned and regarded him, as if for the first time. "I suggest you leave." Plunder said gruffly. "This place wouldn't be around much longer." He turned on his heel. Theo looked confused. "What do you mea-" But he was gone. Suddenly, the boy heard the unmistakable snap of flame, undeniably coming from the house. Theo ran. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Got to play with my matches. He took a drag from his cigarette. Only wish it was you in there. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Over two hundred miles away, a small yellow craft landed for the night, its occupants hoping to reach the small town of Cielo by the next sunset. Part 6 |