Page 4 of Reckoning

My soul seems to stir.

That numbness that has clung to me for what feels like forever is replaced with fire. With brimstone.

I cross my arms, my face lit up not only by the blaze but by the smile that’s gracing my lips.

I don’t move.

I don’t even think I blink.

I just stand there, watching.

Until the sound of sirens becomes too loud to ignore.

Oh I knew they’d come. I knew that even in this moment this damned city would try to stop me.

Well, I guess now is time for part two of my plan.

I turn, picking up the assault rifle, and step out into the road blocking the engine that comes hurtling towards me.

The tyres screech as it comes to a stop and half a dozen men jump out.

They try reasoning with me. They try to persuade me that I need to let them pass, that if I don’t the whole house will be unsalvageable, as if this is all just some simple mistake. Like silly me merely left a few unattended candles and whoops look what happened.

I laugh in their faces because nothing they say will make a damned bit of difference.

“This is my house.” I state. “Mine. And if I want to burn it down there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

They exchange looks like they think I’ve gone mad. I can feel the heat of the inferno at my back, I can hear the cracks as the fire ravages through the wooden structure of the house.

Just a little longer and the whole thing will be reduced to rubble.

More sirens ring out. Another engine arrives and the city’s militia arrives with it.

My eyes widen when I see the Governor getting out of the car, his eyes fixed on me as he makes his way over.

“Sofia.” He says once he’s within speaking distance.

I grip the assault rifle tighter. If they think they can put a stop to this then I’ll make them see how far I will go.

He eyes the weapon with obvious concern. “You don’t want this to turn nasty,” He says quietly.

“No?” I muse. “As far as I can see it’s you making it nasty. Here I am just trying to have a nice, quiet bonfire, when all of you lot show up and ruin my evening.”

His lips quirk. “Bonfire?” He repeats glancing to the flames that must be fifty foot high behind me.

“It’s a private party.” I reply. “I didn’t invite you.”

He lets out a chuckle and half the men around us side-eye him like they can’t understand why he’s not simply tackling me to the ground and handcuffing me already.

“Alright.” He murmurs. “You want to raise it to the ground, that’s your prerogative.”

“So you’re not going to stop me?” I question.

He glances at the weapon again. “No, Sofia. Besides, I’d say it’s a little late for that don’t you think?”

I look over my shoulder and gasp as I see he’s right; the walls are collapsing in. It barely looks like a house anymore. Give it another ten minutes and I don’t think there will be anything but just a crumbling mass of burnt out bricks.

He moves to stand beside me making me feel like he’s some sort of bodyguard. Some sort of protector.