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She fiddled with a flame, flicking it between her fingers like a magician with a coin. The bright kaleidoscope of reds and oranges reflected in her slate eyes as she glanced up at the chestnut mare that was pawing the ground, anxious to keep moving.
?Easy Fyn,? Pen reassured, as she leaned back against the massive oak whose leaves were temporarily giving her respite from the drizzling rain. She dispelled the small flame with a sigh, flexing the cold dampness out of her long graceful fingers.
Fyn whinnied as if in disagreement with her flippancy and continued to graze at the grass that was just peaking through the thawing soil.
Pen was a fireborn. She could command flame to do incredible things, and although it was a very handy and rare ability, it was also a very dangerous one. She was well into her 20th year, and still learning how to control it.
As a kid, Pen was heavily bullied for being tall and lanky, and often accidentally set small fires, which was more than enough to make the narrow-minded people in town dislike and mistrust her. Even worse, no one in her family had her ability or even understood it, and they quickly grew to hate her for it.
In her 13th year, a small band of older boys and girls followed Pen home from school, taunting her and throwing rocks, many which hit, leaving bruises and small cuts. Heart racing, Pen attempted to ignore them like she had been instructed by her parents. They had been very clear about the punishment she would receive if she caused ?trouble' in town. They always referred to her fires as ?trouble', as if saying the words might cause her to combust.
But the kids were persistent, and the rocks got bigger and bigger. Pen put her hands up to protect her face and started to run. She could feel her temperature dangerously rising.
Suddenly, Pen felt a painful jolt at the back of her head as one of the girls reached out and grabbed her long trailing chestnut hair, instantly yanking her off her feet and falling to her back, knocking the air out of her. Through the stars that had formed in her vision, she could see the big tanned face of the girl laughing over her
Pen lost control as anger and pain replaced the fear she had felt a moment before. The fire gates opened, pouring radiant flame all over Pen's body and engulfing the girl that stood over her.
The kids instantly stopped laughing and started screaming. Pen scrambled to her feet, flames subsiding, and heard a loud thump to her left as the girl who was on fire keeled over. Without looking back, Pen ran as hard as she could until she was safely in her room. She collapsed on her bed, trembling all over and head pounding. She was going to be in so much trouble.
To Pens amazement, her parents didn't mention it at all. It was on the lips of everyone in town except them. Pen had nearly burned a person to death, and they acted as if it didn't happen. It was not like her parents at all.
Instead of being happy at this, Pen felt horrible. The girl had suffered severe burns and lost the use of one eye, and Pen was responsible. Pen never wanted to hurt anyone. She hated knowing that she did. She just didn't know how to control the fire that lived within her.
A fortnight after it happened, Pen's parents told her they were taking her to see a master fireborn who was rumored to live across the sea. They stated it so matter of factly that Pen didn't argue it or ask questions, she only nodded.
That night Pen packed a bag as full as she could with clothes a few books, a journal and a few pens, and a blanket. She didn't know how long they would be gone, so she threw in a warm hat and scarf just in case. Looking around her room she decided to leave her collection of rocks and her few stuffed bears, but she grabbed her book full of pressed plants in case she came across some new ones to add.
Despite feeling like her parents weren't happy to go, she was glad to be getting some space from the town that hated her more than ever. She felt so bad about what she had done but there was nothing she could do except apologize, which was not possible due to the family ignoring her. It was a good time for a trip.
Pen got ready for bed and crawled in the familiar blankets; she'd never seen the ocean before.
It took five days on horseback to reach the coast. Her parents quickly found a ship taking passengers and Pen was immediately ushered on board and into a private room. Her mom put a large leather bag on the side table and told her they were going to square away things with the captain, and she instructed Pen to stay put.
Pen looked around the small space. A small wooden bed with a thin mattress took up the majority of the room. A square tan table was immediately beside it and a squat wooden desk sat up against the end. Except for a few blankets, there were no other furnishings or decor. Pen wandered to the single round window that was straight ahead of her. She had a great view of the massive dock and the few buildings that stood alongside. There was a bustle of people trying to roll barrels up the two planks of the ship and there were many larger crates being pulled onto the boat using some sort of winch system. It was unlike anything Pen had ever seen before.
The smell of water was the most amazing thing, salty but fresh in a way she didn't think was possible. The slight rock of the boat was definitely something to get used to but the sound of the water gushing between the dock and boat was almost as heavenly as the smell, it was somehow just loud enough to erase all the negative thoughts swirling through her head, but not too loud as to be noisy. She instantly had the urge to write in her journal.
A few hours later, Pen was moving on to her fifth page of writing when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it, expecting her parents but instead came face to face with a small bald man.
? Hiya lass, I'm Dune.? He smiled warmly. ?The Captain wanted me to tell you that the cook is serving supper in the cabin above.?
Pen taken aback by the stranger standing in front of her quickly replied, ?My mom said to stay put so I should wait until she comes back.?
The man tilted his head quizzically, and paused for a moment, allowing the realization of what she said to set in. Looking away embarrassed Dune muttered, ?I'm not one for this kind of stuff. I think you should talk to the Captain, lassie.?
Pen started to feel uneasy. She ran over to the small round window in her room to see nothing but ocean. Her eyes darted back and forth across the horizon, panic setting in.
?The port has been out of view for over an hour,? came the gentle ring of a new voice.
Pen swiveled around to see the tall muscular form looming behind Dune who was tiny in comparison. The man had eyes as bright as the ocean and long hair the color of the sun. He was tanned from many years on the ocean and he had a thin blonde layer of stubble creeping over his chin.
Dune gave a curt sympathetic nod to Pen before continuing down the hall.
?I'm Captain Lookwake and I hear you are headed to Myralidia.?
Pen stood transfixed for a moment, eyes moving from his face to his hand.
With a wavering voice she crossed her arms and asked, ?Where's my parents??
Pen couldn't believe it, she stood still, eyes unblinking and mouth slightly agape.
Captain Lookwake cleared his throat, and finished the spiel he had pre-planned, ?It's a two-week journey to Myralidia and the weather should hold. There's a strong headwind approaching so it may slow us up a bit, but I expect we will be able to make up the time. Feel free to go anywhere on the ship except my quarters of course, that's off limits to everyone but me.?
Pen could feel the tears silently streaming down her face.
Her hands glided over the familiar leather and she tossed open the flap, eyes blurry from the fresh wave of tears threatening to take her. At the very top laid a folded piece of paper.
With shaking hands Pen lifted the note and unfolded it as she gulped down the tears, focusing her eyes. It read:
?You are like a flower,? Milo once told me, ?Delicate and weak. But after you open up and bloom, you shine in the sunlight above the grass exotically.? I have never been one to fit in the crowd. From my amber hair to my slow comebacks, I have heard all the slander there is to hear. ?Kids are brutal these days.? My mom would always reply with. I didn't discover major stress and anxiety until high school when Hailey would come up to me and taunt me at lunch. She would whisper mean things in my ear calling me ?pig? and saying ?you should eat less.? She would gather a group of kids to come to my table and mock me. Every time I would try to leave her group and move tables, the group would consistently follow behind. I felt trapped, reaching out for freedom but it was not in my reach ever. Today was worse than most because they did it and stole my lunch too. After school, I told Milo what happened and he offered us to go to my favorite place which ironically was across the street from my house.
?Oh Thunder only happens when it's raining, players only love you when they're playing,? Milo sang as we walked through the shallow running water. The sun's warmth reached out onto my skin. A slight breeze waved through the grass by the riverside as milo twirled around dancing idiotically in front of me. If it weren't for school I would want to stay here forever.? Taylor! it's time to come home!? My mom hollered from across the street. I ran back home for dinner and said bye to milo. When I got in the house a whiff of food entered the air. ?How was school?? my dad said in a bitter tone while reading the newspaper sitting with his foot laying on his opposite knee. ? it's the same as always..? I replied. My mom gave my dad a stern look and sat down at the table with me. My mom was acting differently. She had a concerned look on her face and was quickly moving around. Was I in trouble? ?Sweetie, we love you very much, and you know how your father and I have been fighting recently..?? she tapped her finger promptly against the table. I couldn't believe what they were saying. I hoped it wasn't what It sounded like. ?Well, I and your father have decided to get a divorce.? I froze in shock.?You will be going to your dad's new place and staying with him for a while next month.? I suddenly felt powered with rage. ? Do you not want me around?!? I slammed my hands on the table and ran upstairs to my bedroom. I slammed my door and piled up next to my big teddy bear in the corner of my room. I called Milo and told him I would refuse to go to my dad's new place even if it was the moody mansion or something. ? I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna go through with the plan.? Milo shook his head and before he could say anything I hung up. I grabbed my favorite hoodie, my necessities, and the wad of cash from my closet and quietly headed out the door.
He was wearing a baseball cap backward, a loose shirt, and jeans. I drove a pastel yellow old ford bronco with a beat-up hood from all the pebbles that are on the mountain roads. ?May I help you?? he looked up and glared a smile. ?Sorry, your car is just really nice.? I never thought my car would be considered ?nice?, in my high school everyone has brand new range rovers and corvettes. ? thanks.? I got to my car and he backed away. ?Where are you coming from?? I wanted to dodge the question. ?It doesn't matter where I'm coming from, it matters where I'm headed.? he giggled and looked at his feet. His bright blue eyes touched base with mine. ?Well?? I turned on my car to give him a hint I was wanting to go now. He stood his ground waiting for an answer. ? I'm headed to Texas, maybe even Florida.? He scrunched his eyebrows. ? You're not sure where you're going? Are you running away?? my heart skipped a beat and I started putting my car in drive. ? Yes, I am.? he laughed again, ? I did too a while ago. I'm from Colorado, my parents went missing on a hiking trip, and I'm 16 so they would put me in an orphanage. So I left. I'm Paxton but you can call me Pax.? He shook my hand. ?So where are you headed, Pax?? He shrugged and looked around. ? I didn't have time to plan and now my car is not working. Do you think maybe I could get a ride with you?? It was a pretty lonely ride here. He would be able to keep me awake on the road too... ?Get in.? he grinned and grabbed his bag from his old run-down pick-up. He got in the car excitedly. I rolled my eyes and smiled. He reminded me of Milo. He had that goofiness and curly hair just like Milo. The only difference is his hair was golden blonde and Milo had black hair. I miss Milo. I tried playing music but Pax kept talking. I've never met such a talkative guy. He talked about his hometown, his mom, how he used to play baseball, and his job experience. By the next town we got to I could write a biography about him. It started to rain outside and storms started rolling in.
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