Hey y'all! So, I know what you're thinking... "Why is she posting a chapter for a story she's already finished? Why is there only one chapter?"

Well, dear readers, that is because, after finishing Fighting the Fire, I felt that this story and Burning Bright could use some improvements! Soooo, in an attempt to do just that, I will be editing both stories! That will include adding new chapters, editing old ones, lengthening old ones, etc.

So, if you see old chapters being posted again, this is why! I hope this will not be too inconvenient for y'all and I hope y'all enjoy what I believe to be improvements. Just bear with me. please! I'll try not to deviate from the original chapters too much, I promise! :)

Saying Goodbye has Never Been so Easy

I hesitantly look around to make sure this current park is empty, smiling slightly when I realize that, except for a few butterflies and native forest creatures, the park is complete mine. I love this park. It is almost completely surrounded by a forest of trees and bushes and, staggered throughout the forest, are flowers of all colors; deep reds, vibrant blues, and beautiful yellows and oranges; all mixing together to emit an enchanting smell that is so intoxicating it's like a drug all its own. Flitting around above, racing through the high leaves and branches of the tall trees around me, were all kinds of small birds, each chirping excitedly as the soar above. Through the trees I can barely see the Rocky Mountains and smile, it being one of my favorite things about living in Colorado.

The sun shines through the top of the trees, casting a sort of green light down on the small place I'm sitting. The summer breeze blows lightly through the branches, swirling around the smell of the flowers into a relaxing aroma that causes a sigh of contentment to escape from my mouth.

I exhale heavily and lean against one of the tall trees that border the park before closing my eyes and intently listen to the calming sounds of nature while thinking of everything that had just ensued, being sure to replay every single event in an attempt to truly figure out what's just happened.

"ARIANA BRIGHTON!"

"Coming!" I yell as I tuck my wand behind my ear and sigh, mentally preparing myself for the imminent reprimanding that's to come. I exit my bedroom and quietly shut the door behind me before breathing out another sigh and descending the stairs. As I step onto the floor tiles of the main floor, I can see the man that has called for me, his arms crossed tersely across his chest and his eyebrows furrowed together angrily as his brown eyes eagerly search for something or someone to direct that anger toward. "Yes, father?"

The man who raised me, my "father", turns his angry gaze toward me, a sneer forming on his face when he realizes he's found his target. "Was that magic I heard coming from your room?"

I roll my eyes and cross my arms, shifting my weight onto one of my legs as I say, "Really? That's your leading line? Look, if you've got something to say then say it."

His eyes narrow ever so slightly as he takes a step toward me and points a finger at me. "You watch your tone with me, girl, or I will make you regret it."

I roll my eyes once again and exhale loudly before saying, "Have I actually done anything wrong or is this another attempt to-"

"You've done nothing wrong-"

I can't help but laugh quietly. "That's a first..."

"- BUT I did have a reason for calling you down here. I want to let you know that I'll be having some friends over later. Dangerous friends. So it'd be smart for you to make yourself scarce." I can't help but give him a curious look, hoping maybe this is his way of showing me that he's changing his ways and becoming a semi-decent father. However, as if reading my thoughts, he quickly shakes his head and sneers as he adds, "Oh, don't mistake this warning as 'caring', I simply don't want you ruining this for me. In fact, just leave now."

I scoff at him, crossing my arms tighter against my chest. "And if I don't want to leave now?"

My father sneers at me as if this were the answer he had been anticipating and hoping for. "Either you leave now or I lock you in your room now and let my 'friends' deal with you when they get here."

"Mom would never allow you to do this... Ever since she... disappeared... you've been completely horrible."

He lets out a humorless laugh. "Why can't you just say dead? We both know she's dead, you more so than anyone else. Why do you refuse to acknowledge her death?"

I scowl at him, removing my wand from behind my ear and placing it in my back pocket, and clench my teeth together angrily before silently leaving the house, making sure I slam the door as hard as I can as I go.

"Oh, hello Ariana! Have you heard from your mother? Do you know when she'll be coming back?"

I glance over at my neighbor, the elderly Mrs. Johnson, who is quickly pulling out weeds from her front lawn, and shake my head tersely. "As I told you yesterday, Mrs. Johnson, she won't be coming back. Thank you for constantly reminding me of that fact though."

I continue past Mrs. Johnson and ignore the look of sadness on her face as I go by, quietly muttering so that only I can hear. "She won't ever be coming back..."

I reopen my eyes and look around at my surroundings again, silently appreciating the seclusion of where I am as I blink back the tears I haven't allowed myself to cry since I was young.

What am I going to do about my situation? I think as I watch the birds flying above me, imagining I could fly away with them. Maybe I'll go live with Brittany and her family in New York... We are best friends, and her mother and brother do love me... Plus I would still be allowed to attend Salem School for Witchcraft and Wizardry... AND I'll be away from my father... I don't see a down side...

My decision made, I push myself up from the ground and dust off my pants before exiting my hiding place and rejoining society. My determination to leave becomes more and more concrete with each step I take, my memories of my life with my father being the driving factor. As I go, one thought continues to cross my mind: One day he'll pay for what he's done...

How true that was, though I had no idea that day would be so soon...

Okay guys! I hope y'all found this to be better than the old chapter! I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out so far!

Let me know what you think with a review! :)

Thanks!

-Tx :)