Fire is Blazing

I need to escape

I woke up to silence the air was stifling the stench from my dorm room was back with a vengeance filling every inch of the room. Groaning and holding in the need to vomit I sit up to the sun rising peeking through the window. I let out a quiet sigh the memories are all flooding back to me. I try to hold in the second groan that wants to escape, but the thought of that shadow in the hall stuck to me. I must have someone watching me. I run my hands over my face the warmth spreading like lava spilling over the landscape from the top of my head and slowly reaches down to my toes I hug my waist thinking of Angelo arms around me and the overflowing love and confidence in me at the end as we said goodbye. I take a deep breath and finally look around the room the need to gag overcomes me and I slap my hand over my mouth, 'Bad idea, Apheina think before acting.' I scold myself for the dumb action. The glamours walls, large window and all the elegant furniture is gone, instead it is a broken desk in the corner with half a leg hang off and a small window that is boarder up, but one board is falling off and I see the morning sun bouncing of the snow-covered trees. 'Checking that off as an escape route than.' I make a mental note of it as I see the door to the bathroom and inside that was a very worn room that need a bad remodel. I turn the water on at the sink, and it is clear I let out a sigh glad that part wasn't an illusion I shudder at the thought of showering in dirty water. I drink some and clean my face. I looked like s**t. I think back on the kidnapping and Gabriel my anger spikes, but I shove it away I will not lose control I have to work on staying alive, I'm going to get revenge but that is second to having to get out of here. 'After getting intel.' I remind myself as I get back to the room. A knock sounds through my thoughts, and I go to open it doing my best to keep the warmth from my face, Angelo had mention something about them taking my flame from me so I shouldn't be looking healthy. I was glad I remembered all my training about my powers to pull this off, because when I open to see Sky, she smiles at me with a cold stare, but her lips were spread wider as she sees my face it was written all over her face, she was happy to see me suffering.

"Aphei, I am so glad to see you awake and walking, when Rick came to get the tray, he noticed that you didn't eat anything. I told him not to worry, I knew things will go as planned. You know if we can get you to eat something or I could make you some tea you would be in a better state. I know Nicholas was worried about you the last time you talked." She talks a mile a minute and it took everything in me not to punch her, but since she's barely noticing herself spilling information in the way she speaks I smile. She stops and looks at me as if she just realized something, "Should you be able to up right now?" I move to let her in and sit on the bed.

"I'm feeling okay, I am a little restless though being stuck up here the last few days." I feign my tiredness and how weak I feel, I place my hand on my head and take a deep sigh.

"You have been in bed for a long time, oh, I know we should go for a walk." I nod and give a weak smile.

"Do you think I can change first?" I ask in a meek voice.

"Yeah, here let me pick out your outfit." She stands full of energy heading to the closet I stand and follow her she starts to grab a dress, but I pull out the track suit that had a long sleeve shirt with it spotting my dress from my kidnapping tucked away in the back if it was for the length I wouldn't have seen it I bet they left it there thinking I wouldn't recognize it while I was under the influence of their potions.

"I'm okay with just this right now." I mutter, "Do you mind waiting outside I'm just going to quickly get dress and be right out." She nods a flash of anger is spotted in her eyes, but she smiles and walks out. I change and grab the dress at the back. I almost cried as I find the three orbs I had left in my pocket. I put them my pocket and braid my hair. I open the door, and Sky is talking to her brother I stop the smell out here is so much worst I manage a smile and acknowledge him. He looks at me he is almost as tall as Angelo and again I do my best not to kick his teeth in.

"Come on Aphei, I will fill you in on what you missed." She links arms as we walk from the glaring boy. I bob my head pretending to listen to her as she spouts out nonsense neither of us are believing while taking in my surroundings for the first time. This was a large house, eight doors in this hallway alone and the stairs we took to the kitchen was just old servant way from way back when. I was able to spot the office of the Ticheli's from a cracked door. I could hear voice as we pass but due to her insufferable chattering, I don't pick up on what they are talking about. I sigh as we reach the kitchen, she looks at me and studies me I feel her eyes on me as I go get a sealed bottle of water from the fridge. I do my best to take my time and move with great care.

"I wish life was simpler than it is, don't you?" I hear her sigh as she rests her head on the island in the middle of the kitchen. After taking a drink and resting the bottle on the other side I nod answering,

"I do actual, being able to do normal things like go to school date a boy, go out on dates in general, that would be the best to experience. It must be hard to do that with someone always watching over your shoulder and telling you what's best for yourself." I must have it the nail on the head with that wild assumption because her head springs up and she looks me in the eyes with this unusual stare like she just wanted to spill it all. "I'm here if you want to listen." I smile and she pulls me into an unexpected hug, her body goes still when I wasn't able to remove the obvious heat on my skin. Thankful she disregarded it when the surface of my skin goes colds.

"This morning is a nice one let go outside for a walk in the garden." She hooks her arm around mine again and she takes us to the back door that is in the kitchen. I look as she starts to go over the plants that were in the greenhouse I do my best to remember the names to tell Angelo maybe they will help Clay finding information on the times of potions they are making.

"It's crazy how many plants are grown here the air is pretty chilly even the greenhouse was a little chilly." I rub my arms as we turn to head inside this time in the front as she showed me flowers, she has been growing telling me about a boy that has been bring the groceries lately. He was here yesterday, and he was interested in taking her on a date. Once again, she lets it slip that we are on a small island off the mainland, so they didn't socialize much. I was starting to feel bad for her. We head back in, and the smell hits me like an ugly punch to the senses I stumble a bit, and she looks annoyed as she pulls me back up after she stops me from falling. Looking me up and down she says slowly,

"You haven't mention Rick this whole time, is everything okay with you two?" I open my mouth then shut it not able to lie about him. It felt wrong saying I had feelings for him other than the hatred I feel for him when I have Angelo back. I bite my lip, and I follow her to go back to my room. It is already passed noon, and we had lunch inside the greenhouse despite the look of the clouds forming, it was nice to breath in the fresh air though and I think that is why we were out there, Sky seemed to have like it better to cause she scrunched her face when she walks inside. While we were walking outside, I was counting every window and looking for the best exits, to my horror there was only three of plausible ways and that's if I don't try to sneak into the office on the other end of the hall. Internally I groan and wish Angelo was here. He could have come up with a number of routes. I shake my head and do my best to stay positive. The way back to my room felt longer than when I was under the influence. This house lay out was strange she has me go from the front room to the large staircase between the kitchen and living room, then from there we walk down a hall two doors on this floor one on either side of the walkway then back up another staircase we go to the right as the case split into two as we walk up the spiral I see many empty rooms and one close door with Skys name on it. When we get to the top floors we turn left since we entered from the middle and we go across a bridge to my room. I make mental notes on the lay out. I tell her I am going to nap for a little longer and close the door in her face. I feel my lips tilt up as I see a glimpse of her face falling in anger. I go to lock it but remember that there wasn't one on this side. I hear the faint click from her side as she mutters how I'm a b***h. I move back to the broken desk, the paper and pencil still there. I smile and start to map my way out. I look over my potential routes, the best one was the servant stairwell next to the office but that is if everything goes to plan. I would have to sneak down the stairs and pass everyone's rooms or be caught in the collapsing tower to that back door. I sigh minus my room that place was almost see through that would be last case scenario. The office had a window it was large enough to jump out of but that would require something long enough to climb out the window. I sigh then go through the outfits in the closet. I don't know what they were thinking but most of the things in here are long sleeve dresses or slacks. The best I had was this track suit with some winter boots tucked in the back and a winter jacket I spot by the front door. 'That's if you even make it to the front door.' I sigh at the thought then I begin to look over this whole room making sure there are no camera's or listening devise, too much of my surprise there wasn't anything in here. I snort at their stupidity or could it be their over confidence. I look outside the tiny window it was facing the volcano,

"Go to it." I hear a voice in the back of my head it was a smooth even tone with a hint of pain. It must have been the goddess, she said she could only help me a little at this time. I don't second guess it as I plan for the next part of my escape. I was so focus on my plans than I almost didn't hear the knock at the door. I move on to the bed to look as if I was waking up. Once I was set up, I told the person to come in, I was expecting it to be Sky, but it was Ricky. A rush goes down my spine and I want to rush over and hit him right in that sneaky smile of his. I mentally shake my head, 'This one time hitting someone is not going to solve my problem.' I give him a weak smile as he walks up to my bed, I pull my sheets in closer.

"Hey, Bunny how are you feeling?" I bite my lip to keep the profanity that is itching to spill out at the sound of my nickname coming out of his filthy mouth, I swallow down the words and do my best to not let my feeling show in my voice as I answer,

"I'm alright, but I think I pushed it too much going out for that long." I look over at the window the sun was gone replaced by the storm clouds filled with the freezing weather. "It's coming down hard tonight." That is going to be a lot of snow to travel in. The thought makes me scrunch my brow instinctively.

"Do you think you will be able to come eat with us today?" He asks getting closer taking my hand in his I almost rip it out of his in disgust but that would make him suspicious, so I grip it lightly and shake my head.

"I think I should sleep some more this cold weather is making my body hurt." I slip my hand out of his slowly and pull the blanket around me as close as I could. I see a something flash in his eyes as he looks at me. I recall him telling me that he and Gabriel are the only fire magi in this building. I believed that Gabriel was he looked every other fire user, once our powers manifested, we would have brown eyes and a red hue as we use the magic it's said the most powerful users' eyes are always red. Same went for the other elements, a white hue for air, blue for water and green for earth. However, when Ricky used his magic, his eyes were this inky red color like as if his power is being dipped in tar. His voice brings me out of my thoughts,

"What got lost in my eyes?" He says smiling at me with his wicked grin. His eye color is almost black, and I want to shriek away from him for some reason. I let out a dry laugh.

"You could say that, yeah."

"I was asking if you want me to bring you something to eat?"

"No, I'm okay Sky had feed me well during lunch I don't think I need anything right now." He takes my hand one more time and kisses it my skin prickles at the touch.

"Well, if you need anything everyone will be in the dining room." I nod and watch him as he leaves doing my best to spot the lock on my door. They must really underestimate me because it is a basic chain and handle twist lock. I wait for the clicks and rush to the door to listen for his footsteps to disappear. If I was the only one with the normal house set up and they really are all down, there I should use this time to check out the office. The only problem I'll have is sneaking pass the motion sensor cameras on this floor. I twirl the metal marbles in my hand I could easily disable them with these tools unlike the flames I can produce on my own the heat that can be trapped in these powerful little items can pierce though anything, biting inside my lip as I shake the thought away when I escape that will work but not now. Must be stealthy Apheina, Stealth.

"I will be stealthy." I mutter leaning on the door my head resting on the cold wood. I shudder, everything here is cold. Taking a deep frigid breath in I push off the wall and start packing for my escape. I look for a bag to start putting things I might need in it. The best I could come up with is using one of the small trash bags in the bathroom and making a makeshift over the shoulder bag with one of the long sleeve dresses using the sleeves and the bottom of the dress as a strap across my body it wasn't great, but I can take some stuff with me now like the food I stuffed in my pockets when I was having lunch with Sky, and the two water bottles plus the makeshift tools I could get from the broken items in the room and the paper and pencil to make sure I map out my journey. I look over the poorly made bag and my few scraps I can come up with I sigh my hope fading a little bit with the sad excuse of an escape pack. I will make do I have to. I put a few of the stupid dress in the bag so I can use as a lite for my camp when I leave. I sit by the door and listen waiting for anyone to come to this floor it has been hours and there hasn't been anyone, so I peek out the door there wasn't anyone in sight. I look at the sky it was well into the night everyone should be sleeping. I take this chance and use the lightless night as cover while I squish myself to the wall and keep myself in the camera's blindsight. I use the edges of the walls to move as silently and quickly as I can and within seconds, I am a door away from the office. I sigh glad I decided to grab my to go back because if any of these cameras spot me, I am going to have to book it out the window. I sigh it wasn't turning, the last camera that was fixed on the office door doesn't move. I pull out one of the beads infusing it with enough of my magic and flick it over to the camera, it lands on top with a loud clank as the metal hit the ice it's made out off. I take a discussed deep breath and exhale feeling the heat of the metal ball increase and begins to melt the camera from the top. I have to take it slow in fear that if I just pierce right though it will fall to fast and catch the attention of the other power infused cameras. I see the bottom of the ball at the end of the melting and strange sparks fly on top as it becomes disconnected. I use the heat in the orb to come out and roll quietly to me as I slid to the door using a small flame to the bolt trying my best not to scorch the wood as I spilt the lock. After a drawn-out minute I am able to push the door open and quickly close it behind me. I leave the light off allowing my eye to adjust and thanks to my easement of these people there are no cameras in here, I shake my head and move to the desk a soft as my feet would allow it. I start by opening the folders on the first out of the two desks, I find pieces of a map along with a potion list in a notebook, I rip the pages out and begin looking for the spell once again. I flip through all the drawers before moving to the next one and I find several old papers in a folder with weird writing on it. I stuck in a breath this was it I grab the folder, and I hear a loud voice coming this way. I look around and to my right I see a wardrobe I rush over and barely close it as the door opens. It was Nicolas he was angry as he says,

"I don't care Viltala, you figure it out, I am doing my part you better find a way to get rid of those old royale bitches, we have nearly gotten all of the girls flame that barrier..." The voice was in and out within five minutes but my heart almost burst praying that he was too oblivious. I let out a shaky breath as I hear the footstep descend down the hall. He had taken the main stairs. I swiftly move through the room and down the stairs that had no cameras to my surprise and into the kitchen. The two cameras were on ten second timers, so I wait at the stairway and begin to count as they begin to move. I work up my nerves and practically crawl into the kitchen and straight to the bottom cabinet with the can goods I put as many as I can carry then wait for the moment to move out the room to one of the doors I see the jackets just around the hallway doorway. I sit and listen doing my best to have low even breathing. If I wanted to leave this was the best time the sun will be up soon, and I can use the strong morning wind to cover my tracks. No one has noticed the camera on the top floor yet, so I risk using the hallway using the marbles to knock out the cameras and race to the door keeping my steps as light as possible grabbing one of the jackets and sling it on over all my gear and zipped it up pulling all the string on it to make sure it secure before opening the door and rushed to my left, the side Sky's room was on and took off for the trees keeping the tip of the volcano in my sight.

I don't stop running until I am out of the houses sight and the sun was just above the horizon. My feet ached and the wind was making it hard to catch my breath, I slow down to a jog and look for the tallest and thickest tree I can find. I spot one with low enough branches and jump up to start climbing I stick close to trunk as I travel up to get a good bird's eye view. I smile think back to the days I had physical training with the guards they were always testing me and had me climbing a tree that was slowly catching fire, when it was happening, I was terrified but today I am grateful for them pushing me. Finally in a great high but hidden spot I sit down and lean against the tree. I let out a long sigh as I remove the crap mad bag off my back the bottom was starting to come undone from the flimsy tie I did. I take the bottom and untie it then using my flame on low heat I fuse the fabric together doing the same thing in a few more spots I look at my handy work this should hold much better while I run then I take out a bag of chips and a bottle of water munching and drinking enough to tie me over to keep moving. I let more heat to the parts oof my body that is burning from the over exertion, I stay long enough to feel my toes again and begin to start making my way down when I hear the ground rustle. I spot moving and hug the trunk making myself as small as possible to hid behind some snow cover branches. The sound got louder, and I hear voices,

"The f**k, you are the one that let her roam around today." It was Jay and Sky. I almost let out a sigh glad it was these two dumb wads. Sky was going to respond but I take out one of the small piece woods I broke off of the window in my room and tossed it as far as I could using some of my flame to push it farther, we all hear it land with a loud thud and then it seems to roll as I hear the sound of the ground crunching under it. They take off behind us cursing at one another for not spotting me. When I see the backs of them get small enough, I quickly make my way down and move as fast and quietly as the forest allows me towards the volcano.