White, Black, Red
White…Cold fingers tugging at my heart, whispering my name…
Black…Night forever, nothing to lose, nothing to gain…
Red…Fire, the only familiarity, the only warmth…
Chapter 1:The Beginning of the End
If you could die to give someone you loved life, would you do it? I had the choice…and I chose death. I don't regret my decision, and I suppose I'll go mad before I can start to. Take a journey with me, a journey through endless night, and my muffled hope of deliverance. Go with me into my memories. I suppose the real beginning would be my life's end…
Farid laid so still, eyes closed, breath gone, heart no longer beating. As I sat by his lifeless body I made my decision. I would see if the story was true. The story of the fire eater who gave his soul to the white women for his son's life back, had been one of my favorites throughout my life. Could it really be true?
I was scared, I admit it, but Farid deserved his life back. He was so young, and good with fire too. He spoke it's language so well I was sure he would be better than me some day. My eyes had seen so much, too much for my liking, and his so little.
Meggie, she was another reason. She loved that boy. She was so heartbroken when he…I cringed away from the memory of her pain. It was too much for me to bear hers and mine at the same time. Yes, I would summon the white women. I would trade my life for Farid's. I would entertain them with fire for all of eternity, just like the story.
As I prepared myself Meggie wandered into the same tunnel as me, walking as though stuck in a nightmare. I felt a fresh wave of pain at the sight of her tear streaked face. I told her to go, to tell Roxanne that I loved her, to tell her I wanted to see if the story was true. Goodbye, I whispered, unheard as she drifted away, her face troubled. I smiled at the thought of her happy with Farid again. That is the reason, I told myself, and then I summoned them.
The white women came swiftly and I explained the trade to them. They agreed without hesitation, spectral faces suddenly greedy. Then they reached their cold white fingers into my chest. I had to grit my teeth as the cold pain spread from their fingers to the rest of my body.
The last sensation of my life was white…Cold fingers tugging at my heart, the women whispering my name. As the life left my body I smiled, everybody would be happy now. I thought of beautiful Roxanne, and the love we had shared. I love you, I thought, and then I died.