The red was stark in contrast against the black in the corners and crevices of the space. I knew this place like the back of my hand and yet, it still amazed me how vibrant and stylized it was.

The skewed objects in the room, the off-putting doorways and slanted angles all contributed to the surrealism but gave it character that I've come to appreciate instead of fear.

I made my way through the reception area and toward the hall that housed so many uncertainties and memories. Behind those doors were so many questions as well as answers. I would have the courage to open each and face what they had to offer, one day.

Today I was on the hunt for something in particular.

I passed the first creature who remained huddled in the darkened corner like a loyal puppy. Its stench was now more bearable and didn't clog my lungs as it used to. I was thankful for that. It was unusual but the creature seemed to cower in my presence. It's drowned out deep wailing no longer gripped me the way used to. Its hollow eye sockets now reflected the surrounding red and begged for attention I refused to give.

Deeper down the hall stood another creature. Its scowl used to fill me with fright more than any of the others. But now, it was easier to extinguish that terror. At times, the creature seemed to fear me more than I ever had ever feared it.

The last and final Scorcher was nowhere to be seen in the red place. Its enigmatic nature wasn't unlike it. Seldom did it make an appearance even in reality, making itself known on rarer and rarer occasions.

And when it did show up, its unpredictable behavior had it lunging at me at times. However, I refused to let my guard down when it was in my presence. I would resort to raising my voice to put it in its place. It would stand down but reluctantly, wanting so bad to rage and destroy all that it could.

But those creatures weren't why I was here. They knew it.

I entered my old room that housed a worn and beat-up mattress and wooden box spring. The notebook wasn't on the end of the bed this time, but a particular creature who possessed astonishing blue eyes and bright white hair was.

"There you are," Lilac said with a tone dripping in a bit of disapproval and sarcasm, probably due to the amount of time that had passed before I could see him again. He cocked his head and gave me a look out the side of his eyes. "Miss me?"

My heart lit up with happiness and relief. "Come here." I rushed into his arms, not even allowing him to stand first.

We wobbled as we embraced and chuckled when we almost toppled over. I worried he would be disappointed in me for breaking my promise, but we were once again in each other's arms and that was all that mattered.

"I'm so sorry I put you through so much." I pulled away only to look at his freshed-face grin.

He stared back, studying my face and the sutured wound that ran from the corner of my lips to the end of my cheek. "I am so sorry you were put through so much." His fingertips gently grazed the swollen flesh below my sutures.

I winced at the pain but took comfort in his touch. "Hermit did a good job, didn't he?"

"Absolutely." Lilac nodded. "Absolutely."

The red grew brighter, overpowering even the shadows in the room. The urge to blink and readjust my vision hounded me, but I was afraid to wake, not ready to say goodbye.

When I opened my eyes, my vision landed on scuffed-up boots with nails protruding from the sides of the soles. They lay on the leather like tree bark platform of Hermit's tree hut.

The sun was close to dropping back over the horizon, turning the sky into a pretty orange and red color which was a welcoming hue against all the black surrounding me.

I sat up to search for Hermit. He was there, sitting in the corner with a pad of bloodied gauze and a half-emptied bottle of rubbing alcohol in his hands. Even the needle and stitching material rested beside him on a makeshift tray he crafted from a wide piece of tree bark.

"Feel better?" He pointed to the bandage taped to my cheek.

I nodded. "Much better. Thank you."

He mimicked my nod. "See? Keeping my promise."

I cleared my throat and sighed. "I know you harbor some animosity towards me—"

"Look," he interrupted. "The past is just that, passed. We can't do anything about what has been done. We just have to focus on not repeating previous mistakes. You know, the definition of insanity and all." He continued to cradle his arm against his body to prevent further injury to his shoulder.

"But your wife and daughter?" I shook my head, trying to fathom his dismissal of his blatant emotional pain.

"They're gone." He gulped. "I've come to accept that. You know, I've been through all the stages of grief and I'm finally able to come to terms that we are no longer a part of each other's lives. The ones we grew to know and love no longer exists. However, to recognize the past and not repeat it we must acknowledge it, right?"

"Sure." I nodded, taking his explanation.

"So, from now on, call me Dr. Johnson. Okay?" The way he stared into my eyes told me it was at this very moment that he decided to accept his fate and move on.

"I can do that, Dr. Johnson."

He closed his eyes, resting against the wall of his hut. And I took the moment to carefully climb down the tree and survey the space on foot, up close and personal.

It had been quiet for much of the day especially after I delivered my message. The helicopters had left the vicinity long ago. The police cruisers, military vehicles and even the news vans had been abandoned to the constantly growing roots.

As I made my way toward the long-abandoned school, the old city barricades marked the line where the old ring met the new. I stay hidden amongst the thick of the forest, watching as a few young people in the distance held up signs of support, keeping their promise to stand with us and help protect us and our home.

Some of the young men and women kneeled to graze from the roots and vines but were visibly dissatisfied with the taste and texture. The way they kept trying, showed me that they'd already harbored the urge and would join the mass of others who would come to feed when the moon is high. The others like Valerie and Noel who would forever be tied to the Scalded because of their fascination, their activism, and even due to their newly acquired hunger.

In some ways, like me and my imaginings, they would forever be bound to this place, not able to fully leave it behind nor wanting to. This place was like home, providing all one would need to survive.

The feeling of being watched overwhelmed me and I turned, peering over my shoulder. Nothing was there but the sensation of my skin crawling with another's energy. I backtracked, going deeper into the thick forests, making my way through the tightly knitted trees.

The thick, puffy black thistles were great for concealing yourself. So, I remained still and surveyed the space around me.

Something was there. I just knew it.

"Who's there?" I called, instinctively pulling at the straight strands of hair at my nape. "I know you're there. Come out."

I scanned the trees with my eyes, wanting to be prepared for any surprises. Nothing showed, not even the tiniest wind blew the branches of the trees. The feeling of a presence nearby remained and reminded me that no animal in their right mind would come to the Scalded. They all instinctively stayed far away.

With that thought, a small butterfly with large yellow wings emerged from behind a tree. Its wings flapped angelically through the stark blackness of the space. My eyes were glued to the beauty of it, as if flew toward me.

My heart swelled with bliss as the beautiful creature approached. I half expected it to plummet to the ground, but instead it rose above the treetops and out of site, flying off to its next destination.

My hands went to my heart at the wonderful sight. How amazing that something so beautiful came to visit and was able to leave at will.

I stepped away from my cover to head back to Knoques, my home, my sanctuary, wondering what the presence of such a creature meant for the Scalded. And it was then in the distance, a person with pale skin and stark white hair peeked from behind a tree. His contagious smile and bright blue eyes lit up the space brighter than the sun, and I didn't even attempt to hold back my laughter.

The End

~~~

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for your feedback, suggestions, for voting, commenting, sharing, and adding to your library & reading lists!

All your support is highly appreciated.