The Flame That Never Dies

Chapter 14, Brant-

Fractured—

Memories—

Stabbed—

Shredded—

Tore—

Grey.

Nothing.

The heat saved him.

Braaaaaaaaaant, it called. Uuuuuuuse the fiiiiiiiiiire.

He lit a spark, relieving him of his insanity.

Only for a moment.

"Here we are," Grady said as they glittered into a rocky clearing. "We had it built in the mountains so it would be cold enough, and so it could remind you of home."

Home.

That's where the fire was.

The heat.

"IT'S TOO HOT!" he screeched, jerking away from Grady. "NO HEAT! NO HEAT!"

"BRANT!" Grady grabbed his shoulders and spun him to face him. "Get it together! The gnomes ensured this house is as cold as it can possibly get without freezing you to death, so you will live here!"

Brant shook his head.

He returned to mania.

Fire—

Jolie—

Eyes—

Neverseen—

He summoned a flame again, this one a little bigger. It would last him longer.

For now.

Every time he used the fire, his sanity drained faster and faster...

"The gnomes made you fireproof clothes as well," Grady continued, walking Brant inside.

It was plain.

Grey—

Snap.

"Do you want me to stay?"

Brant's eyes locked on Grady's. "No heat..."

"Okay—I'll go. Elwin will come see you tonight, alright?"

Brant nodded. Again and again and again. Nodding was fun.

"See you later." Grady looked like he wanted to hug him, but instead he lifted his home crystal to the light and leaped away.

Brant blinked. Blink. Blink blink blink blink blink.

He was descending again—

Screaming—

Laughing—

Cries—

Help me—

Leave me—

Hate you—

Love you—

Uuuuuuuuuuse the fiiiiiiiiiiire, the heat whispered. All around him. Everywhere.

Duller—from the cold.

But still there.

Still present.

Always—

Forever—

No. He wouldn't use the heat. He deserved this fear. He deserved this pain.

That's what he'd done to Jolie.

Jooooooolie is gooooooooone.

Let gooooooooo.