Oh my god... oh my god... What the fu-

"Your soul is just as fiery as the burning flames of hell. Bring that flame into your hands and focus on emitting it."

I don't know why, but I'm extremely calm right now. Syd's hands aren't cold like the falling snow, no they're the exact opposite. His hands are the fireplace I sit next to during the winter. His body heat is warmer than any other person I know- Wait! I shouldn't be thinking about that! AH!

"You got it?"

I slightly nodded with my eyes closed. For a second, it was almost as though I could feel Syd smile. I don't know why... but...

"Good. Bring out the flame."

Suddenly, I could feel my hands heat up and the sound of fire crackling began to echo through my ears. I opened my eyes immediately and stared at the medium sized flame that I was emitting from my hand.

"Great! It's big for a beginner! You did a good job, Nate."

"Thanks!"

Then, we both froze and stared at each other... I just realized... his eyes have always been this breathtaking gray, and... he just called me Nate instead of Edwards...

"Forget I said anything?"

"Y-Yeah sure."

Syd then stepped away, letting go of my hands and stuffed his own in his pockets. I sighed as I, myself, lowered mine, dispersing the flame.

"Let's head inside for a bit. It's getting cold."

I nodded in agreement as I followed him back inside and into the living room. Along the wall were paintings of three people. A small child was being held by a beautiful woman with long white hair and gorgeous dark blue eyes. Next to the woman was a tall man with short ginger hair, a few freckles, and hazel eyes. They all were dressed formally and the background of the painting, I'm now realizing is actually the fireplace in the living room.

"My mom and dad."

I turned to look at Syd, who was ignoring my gaze. He took a seat on the sofa in front of the fireplace and put his feet up on the coffee table. I couldn't help but wonder...

"Who'd you get the gray eyes from, if I may ask?"

"Huh?"

"I mean I know who you got your hair from, but both of your parents had normal colored eyes, while you have a unique color. I was just wondering who you got it from."

"My great-great-grandfather. He was a unique man. I was told that he went around creating rumors about himself."

"What kind of rumors?"

"Just the usual. He said that he was a warlock of absolute power when in reality he was a man driven crazy and blind by the power of magic. The family after him then began experiencing strange occurrences. A child would be born with Regular colored hair or oddly colored eyes. Because of this, the family thought that the crazy old man had cursed them with his folly and ill-fate. The family then began to consider the 'odd' children unlucky, ugly and weird..."

"So they... shut you out?"

Syd slowly nodded as he stared at the sparks flying from the burning flames. As he did so, he mumbled a couple words and then the sparks seemed to begin to dance around.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked-"

"No, you're good. I've never really been asked that so it was nice to get it off my chest for once."

Oh. That's good. At least he knows he can talk to me. Even if he doesn't like Dev, or Dev doesn't like him... Syd doesn't seem all that bad to me. I-

Whoa! Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the sparks flying towards me in patterns. They dimly lit the room a bit more. It was as if they were living creatures prancing around me.

"A-Are you doing this?"

"Yeah. It's a useless little skill I acquired while in class."

"It's not useless! It's beautiful! I've never seen anything like it."

Syd scoffed as he slowly stood and faced me.

"Of course you haven't. You're a damn Regular."

Oh right... I forgot he doesn't really like me...

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I just kind of... let it slip. Sorry."

What the hell? Did he just apologize to ME?! What is going on here?!

"You wanna know something Edwards?"

"What?"

He slowly turned back towards the fireplace and slightly smiled.

"The fire tells a long story. But, the sparks it gives off tell their own stories. Every fire, every spark is different in its own way. Look, you can see what they tell as they dance. Some are full of sorrow, while others are full of happiness and joy."

I stared at the flying sparks around me. As I looked closer I could see pictures flashing through them. Seconds later, it was like I had been completely engulfed in the story of that spark.

All I could see was a group of smaller children and a few parents off to the side. The children were smiling and running around while the parents watched happily. In each of the children's hands was a sparkler. Ah. I see. It's the fourth of July, and they're celebrating.

A bright light then blinded me as another flashback started.

"Momma! Where's daddy?"

Wait, that's-

"Syd, I told you earlier that your father is at work."

"When will he get back? I want him to read to me!"

Suddenly, interrupting the two of them, a loud series of knocks came from the front door. The woman stood from the sofa and walked to the front door then opened it. Outside, was a man with a little bit of a beard. He was frantically panting and trying to catch his breath.

"What is it, Robin?"

"It's your husband! A fire broke out at his workplace! We think he's still inside!"

The woman gasped and took a couple steps out the door.

"Sydney, dear, stay here. Mommy will be right back with daddy!"

"But, momma-"

The door shut as Syd turned the corner and watched as his mom left his sight. Did.. his parents...

"Mommy?"

Then, Little Syd approached the front door, turned the door handle and opened it. After that, he walked outside and off the porch to see a building not too far away up in flames. I watched as Syd began running towards the building.

"Daddy? Mommy? Where are you?"

He called out as he pushed his tiny body through the crowd. Once in the front, he stared at the fireman rushing to put out the fire. There were no firetrucks, but the water was being sprayed everywhere. As the fire died down, a couple of people entered. Minutes later, that group emerged with two more people in their arms.

"Are they alive?"

"I'm afraid not. They inhaled too much smoke. The man was trapped under a fallen beam."

"Daddy?! Mommy?!"

I jerked my head back towards Tiny Syd, who had, by then, approached the group of fireman and was staring at his parents' limp bodies.

"Oh... This is their kid?"

"Most likely. We have to get him out of here. Come with me kid-"

"No! Mommy! Daddy! Why won't you answer me!?"

The men carried the two bodies off as Syd was taken elsewhere, crying out for his parents. My vision faded as the sounds all melted together.

"What did you see?"

"I-I think I saw your past... When your parents died to be exact."

When I said that, it seemed to barely appeal to him. His face was straight and his arms were at his side. However, his eyes were locked on me.

"I-I'm sorry about what happened-"

"Don't be. You weren't there, it had nothing to do with you. Plus, I hate it when people say that. It makes me feel like they want to show that they pity me."

I nodded. I get that. I really do. I don't understand the feeling of losing one's parents, but... I could only imagine.