The sun.
Giver of life and author of new beginnings. But one day it would to kill us all. That's what they said anyway. I looked up at the blood red ball of fire that has never - for the seventeen years that I had lived - ceased to radiate its ruthless heat. As I gingerly advanced along the desolate street, I soaked in the view of the landscape of the scarcely populated village I called home. The sun's unforgiving rays poured down like a bitter red wine and painted everything crimson: the few half burnt houses that were irregularly sprinkled down the street, the little isolated park with the partially melted see-saw, the slight cavity in the ground where there supposedly used to be a pond; all except the solitary uninviting metallic building. The one that had a cold exterior, which immediately repelled anybody that sought to enter, and its tinted windows and heavy security brought about a chillingly mysterious aura. It was my destination.
Shivers coursed through my unmoving body as my eyes travelled up to the looming building. The apprehension was almost paralysing as I debated with the nagging voice in my head whether or not I should go in. My anxious hand slowly rose and lightly touched the intimidating steel door that stood in my way- "Back away from the door please." The monotonous female voice cut through the tense air. I obeyed, moving back. "What is your business hear?" The same unnerving voice filled the empty space. "I'm here to see Levi Becker." I replied timidly as I shifted from one foot to the other while wringing my perspiring palms together. A slight pause before a faint shuffling could be heard, not long before the door, as if on its own accord, slid open. One foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other. The recurring reminder seemed to be the only thought in my suddenly vacant mind as I tried to ignore their cold, scrutinising stares that seared holes into my back as if I was a threat to their lives. And I probably was. They - He to be exact – warned me that if I and my family did not cooperate, our whole civilisation would be wiped off of the face of the earth. He being Ezra Becker. Our self-proclaimed state governor. My family's oppressor and the man who demanded that we help to permanently end the reign of the sun on our earth. The world's "Saviour".
We were seen as an abomination by most who lived within in the community. We were banished to the outskirts and shunned like lepers. All because we were different. Because of our abnormal ability to interact with nature in the strangest of ways. One way being the ability to temporarily dull or increase the sun's intensity. I had been helping, much to my family's dismay, not for the good of the people, but for Levi. He was the one who persuaded me assist his father with the process of the cessation of the rising of the sun. He was the only rea-son I was in this place. This wintry building that had frosty eyes in every crevice, observing my every move like a predator stalking its prey. A singular door was the only barrier that separated me from him but the sound of whispering prevented me from entering the room. "No! You can't do this dad! Not to Neff." That voice. The only voice that had the power to soothe me. The only voice that could calm me down when I was riled up. My only solace in times of dis-tress. But right now Levi sounded agitated, and I was apparently the cause of his frustration. "Son. You cannot allow that – that thing to cloud your judgment." Ezra's hostile voice boomed through the walls. "Stop talking about her like she's some damn animal!" Ezra let out a deafening cackle. "Oh, but she is. You may not realise this now because you're young and supposedly in love but believe me son, you will understand when you're older." The hatred that I felt for that vile man expanded by every word that came out of his foul mouth. "She is the one helping you. Just remember that Father." "I am aware of that. But once she does this we can finally be rid of that girl and her family." The clear disdain that Ezra felt for me and my family could be heard in his obnoxious voice. My eyes enlarged as I realised what he was implying. "No! I won't let you do this dad!" I couldn't take it any longer. I had to bring myself to knock on the door.
Silence. That's all that could be heard from the other side of the wall right after I gave the door three soft knocks with my trembling hands. The steel door handle turned excruciatingly slowly as I shifted from one foot to the other. When the door finally opened, Levi froze. "Neff . . ." He gazed at me with those ocean blue eyes that beckoned me to drown myself in their infinite depths. "How long have you been here for?" I wanted to give him a chance. A chance to explain for himself. "I just got here." He moved forward, hovering over me as he took me in his lean arms. I relaxed, laying my head on his comforting chest as I revelled in the warmth of his body. The only warmth in this cold, cold place. "Levi." Ezra's harsh voice resonated throughout the room. Levi jumped, as if surprised at the sound of another presence in the room and turned to his father. Although Ezra was speaking to his son, his aged, icy eyes were fixed on me, the resentment evident. The man and his son seemed to be arguing telepathically until an unmistakable look of defeat reached his eyes. My heart stopped. I stood, horrified as I witnessed Levi's once deep ocean blue eyes crystallise into the same hard, icy hue as that of his father.
I felt his body suddenly tense and watched as his jaw clenched. His firm arms abruptly let go of my weak body that threatened to give way at any moment. Emptiness. That was all that I felt from the moment he let me go. I looked from father to son panicking, watching as Levi completely detached himself from me while his father's formerly disapproving expression turned sickeningly smug. Right before my eyes I witnessed Levi turn into a younger replica of his father. Emotionless. I had to get out of there. I felt myself backing away from the door before turning my back on the both of them, forever leaving them behind in that bleak building.
I ran. Ran as fast as my unsure feet could take me until I reached an empty field and collapsed onto the golden grass. Rolling onto my back, I gazed directly at the glowing sun, allowing it to illuminate my bonze coloured skin and basked in its unfathomable beauty. I felt the rays' warm embrace gradually envelope my whole body. And I let it. Let it consume all of my troubles, all of my sorrows, all of my guilt. All of me. I lay there motionless. Until I heard a faint crackling sound in the still evening. My weary head turned to see a single, hopeful flame flickering next to me. The most powerful thing. My only solace in this cold, cold world.
