Disappearing into the Fire

Dark skies hover over a field of green.

Beside a large tree, her and I stand.

With fear coursing through me, I reach for her hand.

A conflagration blazes into the sky.

From across the field, we watch it.

It burns bright, blinding us.

Moving too close would surely sear our flesh.

It calls out to us, wishing for us to join it.

Following its siren song, she makes her approach.

Like snow, ash falls upon us.

She averts her eyes as the flames spread.

Giving chase, I run to her.

I feel the heat on my skin as I advance.

The flames seduce her, deafening her from my call.

Stopping mere feet from the inferno, her skin reddens.

She raises her arm to the flames – can I reach her in time?

The conflagration flares outward as she enters it – engulfing her.

I fall backward onto the grass beneath my feet.

The ash continues to fall over me.

Feeling the heat dissipate, my body shivers.

Seeking her out, my eyes move about frantically.

I struggle to rise as the ground beneath me falls away.

The conflagration, smaller now, still burns bright.

Moving towards it, I see her.

Seeing her standing in the fire – smiling – makes my heart skip a beat.

I close my eyes, shutting away the world around me.

Air around me grows colder as the once blazing conflagration vanishes without a trace.

Opening my eyes, I welcome the world once again.

The once dark skies let through rays of light across the green field.

Despite the apparent peace, I know the truth.

She’s not here and I stand on charred ground alone.