Ember

by Madison Daniel

  We made our way back inside and she started to head back down her staircase.

  “Wait…what’s on the fourth floor?” I was curious.

  “Oh…my helicopter pad,” she said and walked down the stairs. My mind flipped inside. She had to be joking. From the bottom of the stairs she called to me. “You thirsty?”

  “Umm…yeah,” I said dazed. Kai was right, she was loaded. I headed down stairs and found her in the kitchen. At her marble kitchen counter she slid me a glass of ice water. As my right hand gripped the cold glass I found her eyes inspecting my tattoos. I could tell she had something on her mind. Her eyes searched mine and the rain sounded stronger against the windows. My thoughts focused on the building storm.

  “How long have you been able to do that?” I pointed to the rain pouring down the window glass. She hesitated and then answered cautiously.

  “Since I was born,” her smile faded. I felt bad for bringing it up. “And you Max…how long have you been able to do the things you do?” She sounded soft and caring. If I expected her to open up all the way then I guess I needed to also.

  “I was five the first time I caught fire and it’s been nothing but trouble ever since,” I teased and her smile returned.

  “The healing thing is new. I’ve only been able to do it for a couple years now. All I know for sure is the more I push myself, the stronger they seem to become.” My lips found my glass and I quickly finished my drink. “I wasn’t sure I could heal you that afternoon,” I said slowly. Her eyes focused hard on me.

  “I’d never attempted something so…advanced,” she smiled at my choice of words. “I was afraid it might kill me.”

  “But still you did it anyways?” her tone felt playful.

  “Well, the accident was my fault,” I said embarrassed.

  “No it wasn’t. The accident was my fault.”

  “What?” I was confused.

  “I caused that wave Max.” She smiled and stepped closer to me. I was speechless.

  “My emotions seem to have a certain effect on my abilities.” She scrunched her nose playfully.

  “And when you saw me flaming up in the rain…you kinda lost it. Is that what you’re saying?” I was flattered.

  “Yes and no.” She was embarrassed now. “I lost it all right but not because of your powers.” Her head tilted slightly. I held my breath.

  “It was because of you.” She blushed and my head felt dizzy with excitement. My ego felt like it was about to explode.

  Minutes passed as we both stood nervously silent, not sure what to say next. I didn’t want to ruin the moment but I found the need to bring our conversation back to something more serious.

  “Can I ask you something Asia?” I took it slow. I knew this subject would be a touchy one.

  “Okay,” she said hesitant but sure of herself.

  “Is what they say about your family true?” I tried to be sensitive but I could see her walls going back up.

  “And what exactly did ‘they’ say…Max?” She was mad.

  “About the curse…about Lucy…” Her face turned cold at the mention of her name.

  “And that your parents are dead and that’s how you received this house and the mountains of money that came along with it.” I was direct but respectful but she looked livid with my words. She turned away from me and spoke very softly.

  “What does Lucy have to do with my parents?” she hissed.

  “Relax…I’ll explain myself.”

  “Okay,” She had begun to face me again but stopped herself halfway and looked at me from the side of her eye. I took a deep breath and continued.

  “If your power over the elements is some kind of curse…then so be it. Cause personally I find it amazing.” I was oozing confidence again. I took a step closer.

  “As for Lucy, I like her. Most red blooded American males would find your “friendship” extremely exciting. But I could care less about your personal preference.” I took a second to see how angry my words were making her and she was looking completely away from me again. Not a good sign.

  “Look Asia, all I want to know is about you,” I said as the rain picked up outside.

  “And if Lucy is part of that in some way, then I can accept that.” My words were getting through her defenses and she slowly turned back toward me.

  “You mean that?” She was suspicious.

  “Completely,” I nodded. “So that just leaves your parents. You don’t have to talk to me about them if you don’t want to…I was just…” She cut me off and the thunder groaned louder.

  “Lucy is…well…complicated. And I’d like to leave it at that, for now.” She glanced into my eyes for some kind of reaction but I just held her gaze.

  “My parents are very much alive and as far away as they can possibly get from their cursed little girl.” She was filled with pain and anger.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  “It’s all right. I get a card around the holidays every year that lets me know where they’ve moved to now,” her voice sounded drained. “And that’s about it.”

  “And all of this?” I asked as I pointed to the surroundings.

  “They built this place for me in hope that it would make me feel at home, even if there was no family to fill it. Just me and the full time staff.” She couldn’t hide how much that hurt her and I thought she was going to put her walls back up but she continued. “But when I turned eighteen I fired everyone.”

  “And this inheritance I keep hearing about?” I asked nervously.

  “My grandparents left me a chunk of money but I won’t receive any of it until I’m officially nineteen.” She shrugged and took a sip of her water. “My parents always make sure that’s there plenty for me to live on, in the bank account.”

  “Nineteen?”

  “Some stupid stipulation that states I won’t receive any of my grandparent’s inheritance for up to a year after I am of legal age.” Her eyes rolled and the lightning lit the whole house up.

  “So you’re alone?” I asked softly. Her eyes waited for me to judge her but the disappointing stare she was waiting for never came.

  “When my little sister died my parents left me too. First my mother and then last year my father.” My mouth felt dry but I continued. “They both blamed me for her passing. I haven’t seen my mother since.” Her eyes seemed to wince when I said that.

  “My father didn’t leave physically but mentally and emotionally he was a ghost,” I spoke slowly and her right hand found the top of mine. “He hated me for Mia leaving and secretly blamed me for his wife leaving too,” I finished. We stared at each other’s eyes, examining both of our haunted pasts. She stepped toward me and slid her body next to my side.

  “So you understand,” she said calmly.

  “That a gift can feel like a curse? All too well,” I said.

  We were so exposed right now, so raw. We were so different, yet exactly the same. I wanted to hold her and I wanted to run. Maybe she was right after all. This wasn’t such a great idea. She was feeling vulnerable too and quickly lightened the mood.

  “Do you like to dance Max?” She seemed scared, but a gleam was back in her eyes and a hint of a smile was growing.

  The rain was barely falling now and the moon had peeked its white face out from behind the swollen black clouds. She threw her arms around me as I started up the truck.

  “We’ll have fun…I promise.” The determination in her face was unwavering.

  “Too late,” I teased and pulled out of her driveway quickly.

  As I drove faster and faster the cooling evening air was making my eyes water lightly. The smell of new rain was still fresh in my head but my thoughts were becoming tiresome. This party had me worried. Devon and his Neanderthals would most definitely be there. So would Kai and Marcus. But the big question was would Sam be there? And if so…would she hate me for showing up with Asia?

  Yup, I was most definitely not going to have a good time tonight. I could feel it in
my bones. I watched Asia as she threw her arms in the air and arched her back, as if she were trying to touch the moon. The growing moonlight cascaded down her face as the wind messed her dancing curls behind her. Lightning flashed as her hand found my hair which slid through it slowly. Another flash of lightning above us revealed the whole island in its bright light and my chest filled with fire. I was caught in her storm.

  My beautiful rainmaker.

  Bad Moon_12

  ~Paralyzer: Finger Eleven~

  Friday night – 7:47 p.m.

  About a half mile out from the beach it became quite clear just how big of an event this annual beach party had become. Even from this distance I could hear the pounding music fill the air. Three giant bonfires danced in the dark, reaching up for the starry sky. They swayed and twirled in the wind feverishly, lighting up Kanaha beach in all its glory. The fires were so big that I wondered just how legal those dancing flames were. In the night, with the growing pulse of music, I found my senses being pulled toward the bright flames. They felt comfortable, as strange as that sounded.

  Thunderclouds began to circle the beach as we found a place to park. It was taking longer than I was expecting to find a parking spot, but I didn’t mind though. I was enjoying the last few moments alone together. I knew the second that we stepped onto that beach, with all those wanting eyes; it would never be the same. For either of us.

  “So…I guess its official…” I hinted as I turned the Jeep off and got out. Asia raced to my side and I gently took her hand in mine.

  “What is?” she asked.

  “This is a date,” I said calmly even though my stomach was in my throat. She stopped moving for a second and glanced quickly at our hands locked together. I could see her thinking deeply about what I had just said and I waited patiently for her to pull her hand away from mine. Instead her grip tightened around my fingers slightly and she turned and began walking us out of the parking lot and onto the beach.

  As our feet first met the cool sand my hand quickly squeezed hers and filled with heat. I hadn’t even realized that I was doing it. I was so nervous to be by her side.

  “Easy tiger,” she said sarcastically and flashed her big blue eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” she whispered and her smile seemed devious. The ocean air and burning timber filled my nose as we walked up to the large crowd. From the edge of the crowd I heard a familiar voice.

  “No way! You made it!” Kai screamed ecstatically. He had a drink in one hand and a thumbs-up in the other. Marcus was right behind him with a smile. His wanna be Mohawk flickered in the breeze.

  “Mad Max in the house!” he cheered and grabbed my free hand and shook it fiercely.

  “Hey my brothers,” I said with nerves growing. Their beach bum bodies stopped as if they both had walked into an invisible wall. Their eyes filled with wonder as Asia’s stare found them. She squeezed my hand harder; giving me the first indication that maybe she was not as confident as she was letting on.

  “Asia this is the rest of the band. Kai and Marcus,” I said politely. Her grip loosened and her other hand extended out and shook both of theirs. First Kai’s and then Marcus’.

  “Hello Kai…Marcus. It is a pleasure.” She was sweet but protective. They could only offer her an approving nod as they shook her hand. She must have found their awkwardness funny because her posture softened and a tiny smile broke the corner of her mouth. We all stood in an eerie silence for a moment. I wish the moment had lasted a little longer but it vanished when she noticed the something or someone that had caught my eye.

  Sam’s face glowed pale in the dark with only the reflection of the burning fires lighting it. But I could still see the disappointment on her face and that made me feel a little smaller inside. Her eyes reached out and let a little air out of me and the sky filled with clouds. Asia stiffened and a single bolt of lightning slithered through the clouds.

  “I can’t believe you talked her into coming Max,” Kai’s voice was still full of wonder.

  “Sorry fellas, she brought me,” I sounded annoyed but Asia hadn’t even noticed. Her eyes were locked on Sam carefully. I tried to break that concentration.

  “I hate these things.” I let the anger slide through my teeth and Asia’s attention focused back to me again. The thunder cracked above the sea of dancing bodies along the beach. Most of the party goers were taken by surprise, some screamed with fear, some with joy. I glared at Asia with caution.

  “You play nice,” I warned.

  “No promises,” she almost growled and let go of my hand quickly. I started to boil inside. I knew this was a bad idea to come here. Kai and Marcus looked on nervously until Kai decided to ease some of the building tension. Well, at least he tried.

  “Don’t worry you two…” He put his hand on one of her shoulders. She did not approve of his gesture. “We’re gonna have one hell of a night!” he cheered and clicked his bottle with the drink in Marcus’ hand. I tried to smile but couldn’t and then, almost on cue; Lucy appeared from nowhere. She rushed toward our small circle with her eyes on fire. She shoved her way through Kai and Marcus and proceeded to wedge her tiny frame between Asia and I.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she screamed shaking. Her voice was filled with hurt and her speech sounded slurred. She had obviously been drinking already. I took a small step back, as did Kai and Marcus. Lucy started screaming in her native tongue Chinese and without missing a beat, Asia returned the anger. As their words grew louder and more confusing I began to feel completely out of my element and wanted to leave.

  Seconds before I could turn and leave the girls beat me to the punch and stormed off toward the parking lot. Their words grew more passionate as more lightning flashed over us so brightly that the light from the giant bonfires seemed non-existent.

  “Should I go talk to them?” I asked and started to walk toward them. Kai’s hand stopped me and tugged at my tee shirt.

  “Leave’em be. Trust me,” he said.

  “But…” I tried to say.

  “They’re known for this Max,” he smiled.

  “What?” I was growing angrier.

  “Come on big guy, lets get you a drink,” Marcus added.

  “Max, trust me…you’re better off,” Kai tried to reason with me. “They do this all the time.”

  And with that, my head began to pound while a sobering thought scratched itself into my mind. Is that what I was to her; a catalyst to fight with her precious Lucy? Was I just a test of some kind? My eyes whipped around to find Asia and Lucy still fighting and then back to Sam’s face again. Her face filled with concern as she watched us from a safe distance.

  “I think I should go.” I was no longer in the mood for any of this. The sand, the music, the girls. None of it.

  “The night’s still young brother…” Kai pleaded. “Don’t go.”

  “Kai I need to leave,” I said determined. From the corner of my eye I saw Sam still watching me patiently and I felt a calmness fill me slightly.

  “Max I want you to meet some people,” he continued and draped his arm around my shoulder. “They could be a huge help to a struggling band, such as ourselves,” he winked.

  “Come on,” he said with a calmness that impressed me. He seemed to see the bigger picture. At least when it came to our music.

  “Okay.” I gave in and Marcus patted me on the back.

  “Follow us,” Marcus quipped. I hesitated at first but folded and let them lead the way into the pulsating crowd of bodies. The thunder rolled and the first few drops fell from the sky as we made our way into the crowd. Sam was no longer around. That was probably for the better, I was in no mood to talk.

  After bumping into a half dozen people, and saying hello to another dozen, I became very intolerant of this supposed meeting.

  “Where are these guys you wanted me to meet?” I asked Kai impatiently. I had to yell over the thumping music.

  “They were right here just a minute ago,” he yelled as his eyes scanned the
jumping crowd. “Wait here bro. I’ll see if I can round them up.” With a whip of his dreads he was gone, surfing through the sea of bodies.

  “Is this really that important?” I asked Marcus but his attention was on a lovely little island girl, in a pink bikini. Her eyes followed his and without a word he disappeared into the crowd too. I was now surrounded by a hundred strangers but I felt totally alone.

  I stood on the tips of my toes and tried to see over the crowd, if Asia and Lucy were still going at it. But it was no use; I was too far from the parking lot now. Then the thunder shook above me and I was sure that things were still pretty ugly between them. So I stood and waited, as people bumped into me over and over again. The music would change but the beat would stay the same.

  “What am I still doing here?” I said to myself. My anger was growing again. I couldn’t take it anymore. I shook my head in defeat and started pushing myself through the dancing bodies. I pushed harder and faster with each passing kid but I did not get very far. My charge was stopped as I slammed into Sam blindly.

  “Sorry,” I said disgusted before I realized who had stopped my retreat.

  “Sam…uh…aloha.” I felt embarrassed. She looked happy to see me and that confused me. She was holding two drinks in her hands and handed one to me.

  “I don’t drink,” I reminded her and my throat cracked with nervousness.

  “Neither do I,” she smiled and took a quick sip. I did the same with complete trust and found my cup was filled with ice water and a twist of lime.

  “Thanks,” I said. I waited for her to explode with anger too. Surely she would call me out on all my excuses I had to not come with her.

  “I’m glad you made it Max.” Her smile grew naturally bigger. Why was she being so nice to me? I certainly didn’t deserve it.

  “About that Sam…” I began to explain myself when she cut me off.

  “It’s fine. I’m just glad that you are here.” She leaned into me. “I don’t care how you got here…just that you’re here.” Her eyes were filled with the confidence that I had grown so fond of. That instantly put me at ease and for the first time that night I let the pounding beat of the music in. Finally I let a big smile escape.