AYESHA : The Queen Of Fire novel Chapter 3

The days had passed in a blur and it was already the month of the wheat harvest.

In a year we have two seasons for harvest. The first one was the harvest during the middle of the year. And the second and busiest one took on the end of the summer during the last part of the year.

To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted…’ That was what the priest preached last Sunday.

I almost fell asleep during his preach. Well, honestly, I always felt sleepy during Sabbath Day.

The fire in the forest was also preached during that time. I couldn’t help but stiffen and bow my head because I was so guilty.

Rumors spread like wildfire. Some say that it was an attack from the rival kingdom. And some say that it was a rebellion to the Kingdom.

We were the only one who knew the truth. That it was me all along with the culprit of the incident.

My parents act like we didn’t know everything. And the more that the rumors spread, the more that I was guilty.

I was in my room again. My mama was serious when she said that I am not allowed to go out. After that incident, I was always inside the house. I didn’t dare to go out and upset them again.

I stop using the fire in me. It was not that easy, but I tried my best to control myself for not using it.

“I’m going out,” my mother called over my shoulder. “Don’t forget what I told you.” She paused in the doorway. “Oh, and I left some food on the table for you to eat later. Love you!”

“Love you too,” I respond with a smile and wave her goodbye.

I sighed and dragged my feet towards my bed. I was all alone again. I lay down and covered myself with a blanket. I closed my eyes and fell into slumber.

I was in the middle of the forest when I saw my mama and papa was being caught with the wildfire.

“Mama! Papa!” I shouted while crying as I saw how the fire engulfs their body while they were screaming from pain.

The setting suddenly changed and instead of standing in the forest, I was standing in the middle of our town looking at how it was burned to ashes.

I covered my ears when I heard a scream. A lot of painful screams. It was from the people in our town. They were screaming for help. Crying out to stop the pain. Screaming to make it over.

I stood in my place, crying. I screamed and the sky became suddenly dark. I was weeping so hard when the Kingdom of Zoara was suddenly being rain with fire.

I fell to the ground and kneeled. I was the only one left. Everyone was burned to ashes. Smokes spread all over clouding my sight.

I heard a loud horn and the rain of fire stopped and was replaced with rainwater.

I saw the silhouette of a man walking away from me. His footsteps are the only ones that I could hear.

“Help me!” I tried to call him but he didn't even glance at me until the smoke covered him and was out of sight.

Another horn and the town was being flooded with water. My eyes widened when a big wave was coming towards me. I stood up and ran but the big wave got me and swept me away.

I forgot. I didn’t know how to swim if it’s too deep. ‘Am I going to die here?’

My breathing became uneven. I tried to breathe but the water already got inside my mouth and it was drowning me.

My eyes started to sting. I was already losing hope. I blinked when I saw a light coming towards me. I raised my hand and tried to reach it. Too much water filled my lungs and before I passed out, I felt someone held my hand and lifted me out of the water.

I was panting hard and sweating a lot when I woke up. It was just a dream. But it feels so real.

I went out of my room and got some water from the jar and drank it in one gulp. I looked at the window, it was already dark outside. I slept that whole afternoon.

I could hear the creaking sound of our wooden chair when I sat down. I put the glass on the table creating a thud.

What was that dream all about? Why did I even dream that in the first place? Was it because of what I’ve done to the forest?

I felt nervous and I didn’t know why. My dream. I couldn't help but think of it a couple of times. It has been making me agitated since I woke up.

The front door suddenly opened and I saw my mama and papa bursting in with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong?” I asked them, confused.

They walk towards the table and put the vegetables and fruits that they bring.

“Just stay here, Ayesha. We need to go back to the town,” My mama said after putting everything on the table.

“Why do you need to go back? Did something happen?” I stood up and got near them.

I saw them look at each other's eyes. Like they were talking with their eyes only.

“We’re just going to help with the harvest there. Something just came up and they need a lot of people.” My papa said and then he looked at my mama.

“I can help,” I said, smiling.

“No. You need to stay here. Understood?” It wa my mama. Her voice was laced with seriousness. “Let’s go, Simeon. We need to hurry,” she said to Papa and then walked towards the door.

“But Mama—“

“Don’t be stubborn, Ayesha. We need to go.” She grabbed Papa’s hand as they went out and closed the door.

I was confused by their actions. I walked towards the window and looked at them. They were running towards the town.

My eyes flew in the town's direction. My forehead creased when I saw a lot of smoke coming from there. I suddenly felt nervous. The smoke was like what I saw in my dream.