Chapter 22: Chapter 19: Just a Dream

Reiko POV

The wind was cool, the sunlight comforting. I felt the grass lightly tickle my feet, smelling the delectable scent of the stew. 

"Reiko! Reiko! Let's go play after we eat!"(Kamoume)

Kamoume was as bubbly as usual. 

"Ok!"(Reiko)

I said as the stew coated my tongue. It was salty but not too salty, yet was savory and a little sour. My cheekbones raised to form a smile, it was really, wonderful. Clouds passed by peacefully; the birds sang a sweet tune. I could just drift away just like a leaf in a gentle stream. It's almost enough to make forget everything, from, from......

Wh - what?

What is that smell...? 

It's, suffocating, just like smoke. 

Ouch!

My hands, they were burning, no, the bowl was on fire! N- no, it was not just the bowl, the trees, the carriage, e- everything! Wh- what is going on, what what! 

"Hey Reiko are you doone?"(who?)

A voice was calling out to me, a voice that could hardly be called a normal voice. It was satanic, as if two separate voices were forcefully merged together. The voice sent a chill colder than the Arctic down my spine, contrasting the hot world. I cocked my head very slightly and what I saw... what I saw was, horrific. 

It could, hardly be described as human or alive. Hair was flowing upwards like fire, the eyes peered into my soul, the white, empty eyes. Its teeth was sharp, just like a knife. The body itself was crimson red, forever burning and raging. 

"K- kamoume, is that you?"(Reiko)

"R- reiko... wanna..."(who?)

At that point, everything had changed, the ground burnt and black like charcoal, the sky shrouded by with grey clouds. The thing, became a full on living flame, barely holding form. The heat coming from the creature was, unbearable, as if the sun itself was there. Sweat dried out as soon as it came, it was like being baked inside an oven.

"Plaayyyyy"(who?)

The mouth hinged open as a slurred voice came out. 

My legs froze in place, wh- what was going on!? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. It was just, just a, a n- normal day just now, wasn't it? N- no, this can't be happening... right? Y- yea, it's just a dream, or I am just having a stroke! Yea that's IT!

"a- AHHH!"(Reiko)

The thing, m- my arm, it was, AHHHH! 

My arm was burning, it felt like a million fire ants were biting all at the same time. Why was this happening, I don't understand... maybe, maybe it's supposed to be like this, isn't it. Haha, yeah, I was a fool to think that everything would all just be peachy, that everyone would just automatically like just because I look different... yeah

The fire was growing, eating everything around me. It got closer and closer and it ate me up. 

...

I woke up

I was drenched in my own sweat; the moon was high in the sky. Kamoume was softly snoring in the corner, sleeping... vertically? That doesn't matter. The wind was cold against my shaking hand. 

"just a dream... just a dream, it was just a dream."(Reiko)

It was nothing, you're just overreacting, it was nothing. It took a while, but my body began to ease, but I didn- couldn't sleep. 

Getting up from the ground, I slowly made my way to a nearby stream. Water, I splashed some water onto my face. It was cool and wiped my face off of sweat. Everyone was asleep, there were only the chirping of crickets, well at least it should be. 

Chap Chap Chap

The grass rustled, and then came a voice.

"Kid what are you doing out so late."(Kite)

It was deep and a little raspy, but it was overall clean. It was the voice of Mr. Kite. 

"I-... just needed to re- refresh myself..."(Reiko)

"Is that so."(Kite)

Mr. Kite went up and sat next to me. I was, pretty uncomfortable, considering that Mr. Kite was staring at my face... his reds blankly stared at the side of my head, I tried to ignore it, but...

"Mr-"(Reiko)

"Your eye, more specifically your right eye."(Kite)

Mr. Kite moved my head to take a closer look. Nervousness, was starting to creep up. What was going, what was he about to do?

"You aware of it?"(Kite)

"I- I know, th- that my e- eyes are het-"(Reiko)

"Well, that's not what I quite meant. I mean, are you aware of its uniqueness?"(Kite)

"n- no... not really..."(Reiko)

"Heh, really?"(Kite)

Mr. Kite was laughing. Did I not get a joke?

"uhhm, Mr. Kite, is there something funny?"(Reiko)

"No, no, it's just, pretty rare to find someone like you, quite funny how you're not even aware of it yourself."(Kite)

"is it... really?"(Reiko)

"yes, in fact, I know a couple little things, come meet me often and I can teach you how to get stronger?"(Kite)

"is that so..."(Reiko)

"No need to be so cautious, just listen to me and you'd able to do anything."(Kite)

anything...

Time whisked away, the moon soon came down, and came a new day. 

---

It was a day like any other, slowly travelling without end. It became night soon, I didn't even notice. The sky was navy-blue, filled with stars. The carriage was filled with snores as I quietly made my way out. 

"yo, looking for me?"(Kite)

"h- hello, a- and yes"(Reiko)

"heh, follow me."(Kite)

"o- ok."(Reiko)

I followed him away from the camp and to a secluded stump. Mr. Kite sat on the stump and gestured me to come sit in front of him. 

"Now, can you use any other elements beside flame?"(Kite)

"not really..."(Reiko)

"Alright then, let's get to business."(Kite)

I nodded my head slightly in response to him.

"The first time you used fire, remember that exact moment, remember everything that you felt."(Kite)

The first time I used fire...

When Friedrich was about to die, when Faye was hospitalized, when Cheryl, when Cheryl was... I was angry, wasn't I? I felt like I was about to explode, no, I did explode. The world was set on fire and I couldn't do anything to control it. 

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The temperature was rising, it was rising too quickly. Was this real? Is it just another dream? I looked my hand, there were vermillion fire on it. My vision was turning hazy, I was about to loose consciousness. 

"Take it all in, your emotions, your memories. Do not lose focus."(Kite)

Do not lose focus, do not lose focus...

I just couldn't control it, I mean how could I? He hurt everyone I loved, he mutilated them! As if their lives meant nothing, as if it was like killing a bug! I just- I just, ARGH

It's unfair! It's always been unfair! 

It was getting hotter and my vision hazier. But I didn't care. How could I? All my life I just got spat in my face, everyone who loves me gone or hurt. No one was there for me. I can't understand why! Why me? I- I- I....

...

I'm being stupid aren't I?

Yeah, no matter what happened, there were people there. Cheryl was there, m-om and d-ad was there. I am being silly aren't I?

The fire around me died down quickly and my vision returned back to normal.

Mr. Kite had been watching me patiently the entire time. I heard the wind howling, it was cold. Mr. Kite's eyebrows were lowered, his mouth forming a faint smile. 

"It seems like you weren't able to do it"(Kite)

"ah, I'm sorry"(Reiko)

"It's fine, we can try again tomorrow."(Kite)

---

Everyday since then, I've went to see Mr. Kite, everyday I grew stronger and stronger, my flames became bigger and hotter. 

"Reiko wanna play?"(Kamoume)

"not today"(Reiko)

"Awee, come one! You always say that!"(Kamoume)

Kamoume stuck her tongue out with puffed up cheeks. 

"mmm, ok I'll play later today"(Reiko)

"Finally!"(Kamoume) 

Kamoume was ecstatic, skipping and jumping. 

"You bettah keep your promise!"(Kamoume)

"I will"(Reiko)

I said as I went over to Mr. Kite. He was waiting for me, lying on a tree. 

"Hello Reiko."(Kite)

He said as he jumped off, landing on the gently on the soft grass. 

"hello Mr. Kite."(Reiko)

"Reiko, today, I want you to not hold back."(Kite)

"what do you mean?"(Reiko)

"What I mean, is that I want you to stop thinking about everyone."(Kite)

"o- ok..."(Reiko)

I closed my eyes, focusing. The fire was building, burning in me. I felt my hands shake, sweat flowing down my head. His face projected in my head, creating a blistering sensation. My body was starting to emit heat, burning, painful heat. 

Let it burn, focus

It was unbearable, my skin was melting. Focus, focus, focus. Remember his face, his... 

'Hey Reiko, would you like the pie or cake?'(Cheryl)

It was Cheryl, but she was not the real Cheryl, she was nothing but a thought in my head. The flames died down, the temperature became cooler. 

"No."(Kite)

"oh, I- I'm sorry, I messed up again..."(Reiko)

 "Try again"(Kite)

"o- ok"(Reiko)

I again tried to focus, letting the flames grow.

"You know what, Reiko stop."(Kite)

"p- pardon?"(Reiko)

"I don't think you can do this."(Kite)

"n- no, I- I"(Reiko)

"No you can't, just give up."(Kite)

just give up. 

just give up. 

just give up. 

give up.

give up.

give up...

...

I, I, I...

They are laughing, aren't they?

Suddenly, there was an intensive heat surrounding my body. My head rang like a fire alarm. Vision becoming blurred, muscles losing power. 

"Kid, you ain't cut out for any of this, better you just scurry away."(Kite)

I- I

"You have failed, you have failed to do just one thing."(Kite)

The fire grew and grew and ate me up. My eyelids becoming heavier by the second. 

I tried to hold on a bit longer but... everything went black.

...

I felt the pain, the indescribable hotness. 

I'm back here.