9/11 Short Stories

Decent Essays

Red light, bright as the midday sun, flared into existence. It began to flicker and waver. Small tongues of flame spread their reach, jumping from the floor onto the nearby curtains. It began to pick up the pace as it consumed more and more like a starving creature. In seconds, it had spread to all the curtains that spanned across the room-length window. Smoke filled the air, giving the walls a fine layer of ash and soot. In the bed opposite the window, a girl rested her head. Her eyes flashed open as she breathed in the heavy tang. She bolted to her feet despite being asleep only moments before. "Not again," she muttered through gritted teeth, expertly throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and rushing out of the burning room. The girl dropped …show more content…

"What happened this time, Katie?" He growled, not bothering to meet her eyes. Katie rolled her eyes. "Always blame this on me, right? I was having a bad dream, that's what." Her brother yanked her so that they faced each other. His dark hair was long and uncombed, it hung in his eyes as he spat, "you know you're not supposed to let it get out of hand!" Katie met his glare with narrowed eyes. "What am I supposed to do?" She remembered the details of her nightmare. She had been in class when a girl had called her a freak. It had sent her into a furious rage. Katie recalled leaping on top of a desk and taking that girl's hair in her hands, pulling at it so that the girl screamed apologies. But when she had let go, the girl's face was replaced with her own. Her brother suppressed a resigned sigh and led her outside. "Aren't we going to call the firemen?" Katie asked, wrenching her hand from her brother's grasp. "No. We just need to go. Find somewhere else to …show more content…

"If you learn how to control your anger," Dan retorted, instantly regretting his words. Katie's bottom lip trembled. I can't help this! I wish I could just be normal! I never asked for this! "We've gotta get out of here. Fire department will be here soon." Dan said, taking his sister's wrist once more. This time, Katie didn't object, only followed silently as he led her away from the burning house. As they moved farther and farther from the house, Katie couldn't help but think of all the other times this had happened. It started when she was 7. At first, it was only when she was awake. Even then it would be just the smallest spark. But as she grew older, it became harder and more dangerous to keep secret. Now at the still tender age of 10, Katie didn't think she would make it to adulthood. It took only the slightest disturbance and the whole place would become alight with flames. She hadn't the tiniest idea why she had this curse, either. At least her brother's snow powers didn't destroy homes. In fact, Dan was the only one knew. If anyone else was to find out, she would surely be made fun of. Or worse, excluded from tag at recess.

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9/11 Short Stories