Entry #52

The Command from Above
by Margaret Sagri


“What’s your favourite colour?”

“Brown,” mumbled Adam, not taking his eyes off the twig he was sharpening.

“What’s yours?”

“Red.”

“Red?” Adam’s head jerked up like a shot.

“Red’s a girl’s colour. It’s like pink. Only for sissies,” spat Adam.

“It’s the colour of blood...and fire.” Kevin’s eyes gleamed.

Adam put his penknife down. The dry leaves rustled under him as he began to fidget.

“Let’s see which of us is a sissy,” sneered Kevin as he picked it up.

“Give me your hand.”

“Why?” exclaimed Adam, quickly stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“I had a dream last night. The Goddess of fire came to me,” a smile lit up Kevin’s face.

“The Goddess of fire?” Adam’s voice was a whisper.

“Her long red hair fell like dancing flames,” continued Kevin, transfixed in awe.

A sharp gasp escaped Adam’s lips as he stared at his friend.

“Let’s burn some of this dry wood,” Kevin said, pulling matches from his pocket.

Before Adam could protest, Kevin ignited some kindling.

Panicking as the flames licked the undergrowth, Adam jumped to his feet, pulling Kevin with him.

“Kevin, get up! The fire! We have to put out the fire!” cried Adam.

Pain shot through Adam’s hand before he saw the knife coming. In a mad frenzy, he seized the penknife from Kevin’s clutches. The roaring heat of the engulfing fire triggered Adam’s movements as he stabbed Kevin’s body insanely.

“She came to me in my dreams, too,” disclosed Adam.