Page 10 of Ring Around the Rosie

“Ring around the Rosie. A pocket full of posies. Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down.”

The smell of fire filled my nostrils as the sounds of their screams echoed through the darkness.

“Even you, Rosie.”

My back burned, and I tried to scream, but it was useless. My throat was filled with smoke and fire surged from my veins.

“Or should I say, Aster.”