Page 23 of A Whisper of Cinders

Ami opens her mouth, probably to start protesting again, but wisely decides to drop it for now. Didn’t think that would work, but hey, I’m not complaining.

There aren’t many people in the cafeteria and I am relieved to see that all the guards that are stationed here are female.

I take in my pills and notice that there’s one extra. I look at Mary but she only gives me a gentle smile. It’s a painkiller, I don’t even have to ask.

We eat breakfast in silence. Ami’s thoughts seem to be miles away, which is a first and I feel a little nervous for this afternoon. Having…visions or hallucinations in a place like this isn’t a good thing, but I am certain it’s related to the memories buried deep within me. I have to talk to Miss Sophia about it.

I finish before the real breakfast rush begins and wave goodbye to Ami. I pass Soren in the hallway, the guilt very clear in his eyes. I put on a convincing smile, trying to reassure him I’m okay. He smiles back, but as soon as he is out of sight, I let the pretence fall as I slowly make my way to the infirmary.

CHAPTER NINE

As soon as I entered the infirmary, Doctor Herbert sat me on a chair and made me order things low on stock. I guess my walk wasn’t as smooth as I thought it was.

The walk to Miss Sophia’s office took me way longer than normal and I was relieved to finally sit down after that short walk.

Since there are now little droplets of sweat gathered on my upper lip and my shirt clings to my back, I may have underestimated my current health.

I close my eyes for a second, Miss Sophia’s voice a distant hum in my ears. Heat trails through my body followed by a sharp stab in my right temple.

“…you alright?”

Shit.

She asked me a question. I take a deep breath and try to remember what exactly she was talking about before I zoned out. “I am fine, what was your question?”

A hint of annoyance flashes across her features but it’s gone in an instant. “I asked how you were faring, since our last meeting was rather…intense.”

A woman flashes before my eyes. Her face contorted in fear and panic, the house she is in unknown yet familiar. Her lips move, but I don’t understand what she is saying.

The throbbing in my temples intensifies, as if a knife is being pushed through my skull. I clasp my head, bending forward which only adds more pain to my back.

“What is it?”

“I…I don’t understand what she’s saying.”

Tears escape from her eyes, tracing a clear path down her sooth covered cheeks. I want to help her, but how?

“What who says?”

She falls to the ground and I do the same, my body bending in pain. She coughs so hard, her whole body shakes by the force of it. In my vision, I rush to her, my cheeks wet with my own tears.

“Tell me what you’re seeing, dear.”

“The room is burning down…and a woman sits in front of me.” I try to swallow, but my throat is bone dry. “She’s on her knees, I sit across from her. She looks so…familiar.”

My eyes burst open wide with realization. She is…

Gone.

My vision changes and I am all alone once more, in the burning room. Flames burn bright around me, destroying everything in its path. And I am burning, heat rushes through my veins as if I am the one who’s on fire.

The line between reality and the vision disappears. My body is a trembling mess choking on the toxic smoke I have inhaled.

Breathe, Maily.

That voice…

“I…can’t …”