(De)Parting Fog

Her eyes hurt like a fire ant’s after bite. Those little monsters loved her skin; it hurt for days after.

But she’d never been bitten in the face. Much less in the eyes! Still, they were burning.

“My eyes!”, Jess squeaked.

Elena’s hand found Jess with ease, teary eyes half-lidded. “Keep them shut”.

“W-What was that, El?!”

Elena’s mind recalled the elders’ lessons of a time of brightness and warmth. Could it be?

The sky fog was parting for a ball of fire.

Elena glanced to Jess; her bright red hair stealing her breath.

“That... That is the Sun”.