My eyes opened just as the sun began to set, sinking into slumber behind a nearby mountain. My senses became alert to all around. The first thing I noticed was the scent….the scent of death, ash and smoke. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief as the image I saw unfurled right before me. To the horizon, and even further everything was ablaze. All life has ceased to exist, yet I was spared. For what purpose, I knew not. I tried to recall what had occurred, but to no avail. It was like a door had been somehow placed within my head, to keep myself out and the secrets within.
I slowly put weight upon my legs, testing to see if I was weak from fatigue or injury. However to my astonishment, I was not weak. In odd curiosity, I jumped to my feet with the agility of a cat. Moments passed as I surveyed my surroundings. No sight or sound of life except the sound of my own feet as I stepped upon the burnt rubble and debris. Navigating through the wreckage proved easier than I had thought. But walking through an area that looked like World War Three had just occurred, I admit was a little unnerving.
A voice in the distance made me freeze in place. It sounded like the call of a child, or a survivor of this blaze. I welcomed the sound, anything to make me not feel, so alone. I listened again, this time…it sounded like singing. The sound was coming from somewhere further ahead. Yet in this never ending blaze, seeing would not be an issue. I half ran half jogged, eyes straining; searching for the sign of another life form. My search came to an end when I came to a small clearing. In the small clearing, everything was still alive. The roaring of the fire seemed to be far away. It was as if nothing bad had happened, here one could be safe.
I came to my back to my senses, when I heard the singing voice again. The voice sounded not of this world. It had an angelic quality. Who knows? Maybe I have just been dreaming, or am already dead. If so is this what the other side is supposed to look like? I hope not, but if so some direction would be nice. I thought long and hard as I walked over the plush green acreage of oceanic endless green. The green reminded me of something I had heard of in only fairytales, a big body of water called the sea. Again my mind wondered, unable to focus I gave in. Moments later I was pulled back to reality. Upon a tree stump sat a little girl in a blue dress. She had fiery red hair that was pulled back in braids. Her eyes were casted upon the ground; as she continued to sing and hum. She looked to be no more than seven years old.
I took a deep breath as to not startle the girl and tried to make my presence known. The little girl looked up with tears in her eyes. Throwing caution to the wind, I ran and scooped the small child into my arms. She told me her name was Sarah. "I am Raina." I told her. Sarah's green eyes seized my heart, and I knew from that moment, I would never part from this child.
"I come from the village that was destroyed way yonder." said Sarah.
I held her close and told her, " I just came from whence you speak, and I saw no others. I heard your singing and had to see who it was, and I'm glad I did."
She nuzzled her head into my chest and held me with those little arms.
"Where is your mother, your father?" I asked softly.
"I do not know. I awoke and I was here." said Sarah quietly.
Upon her words I froze. Someone had saved this child; there was another person somewhere; were they still close by? The child sighed and fell fast asleep in my arms. I smiled and let her sleep on. While she slumbered I decided to take stock, and see if she had been injured. She seemed perfectly healthy. However an image draped around her neck made me do a double take. I lifted the symbol slightly and recognized it almost immediately. This symbol was the sign of a Witch.
This child was not an ordinary child. She had been spared by another Witch or someone of her next to Kin. Would they be looking for her? The thought made me shudder, but giving her up made my heart hurt even more. I pushed the thought from my mind. As the night drew on, I found myself drifting off to sleep. I tried to force myself to stay awake and alert. This worked a few times, but after a while it stopped working. Slowly I lowered myself to the ground and wrapped the child in my arms. As we laid upon the moss of the soft ground a blanket appeared out of nowhere and covered us. Too tired to object I said a silent thank you and drifted off to sleep.