This is an experiment in style. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: This piece is inspired by the events and characters of The Sentinel, which is owned by Pet Fly Productions and Paramount Studios. The author is in no way connected with these companies--this story is written without compensation for fan enjoyment. The Sentinel is cancelled; long live The Sentinel!
Spoilers and allusions: Primarily "The Sentinel by Blair Sandburg," some others. Just read it, already. It's not very long.
Beta'ed by: Hephaistos and Sheffield. Thank you so much for making this piece even better!
The dissertation burned in a great pyramid of flame that towered over the city.
From the manicured lawns of Rainier, wide-eyed students watched the pyre. The flames twisted like a man hung on too short a rope, writhing and twitching into dust. The children cowered as the glow of the flames outlined the outer walls. Atop them stood tall, sharp pikes, their rusted metal tips craving the heads of well-meant sages.
"Bow to us," said the snake queen. "Cut out your tongue and you can walk again, forgiven, among these sacred gardens."
From the thick-walled fortress of the Cascade Police Department, armored soldiers squinted into the roaring blaze. They stood shoulder to shoulder on the ramparts, surveying the white-hot brands of justice. Fire would cleanse their ranks, returning all as it was before. Strong, broad-chested men would stand together on the rooftops while those below cried in lament for their deeds.
"Join us," commanded the hero. "Join us in brotherhood, and look forward. Let the past be consumed in flame."
From the mountains to the east, the fire-people laughed. What does it matter? The smoke is incense to soothe clouded minds. Come away and leave your tears behind to douse the fire.
"Sleep by my feet," sang the woman with golden hair. "Everything but the fire is a dream."
From the island in the sea, the wild devils rejoiced. "Throw the prison door wide," they howled, "for our enemy's flesh snaps upon the coals!" In the chaos, they would return to the coast and dine on victims' bones while the survivors tended their wounds.
"Run from us," snarled the monster with one eye. "The roar of the flames drowns out the words of blistered charlatans."
From the balcony, Jim wept. He inhaled smoke and ashes, and they squeezed tears from his eyes. Where they ran, anger was cleared away in saline rivers, and he saw the great red wall of destruction that burned high into the night.
Forgive me, Jim whispered. I, too, laid the kindling.
And Blair screamed. He slashed off a lock of hair and tossed it into the flames. He stood close so that sparks rained on his naked chest and arms, and cried out:
I will not bow!
I will not join!
I will not sleep!
I will not run!
But I will forgive, and I will stay by your side. We can weep together tonight and when the flames are done, we will pound the ashes into mortar. We will build a fortress to keep out fire and rain, and we will call it home.