It started small. Maybe just a small smoldering ember at most; breathing enough to be turned red before dying back down, over and over again.
Over time, it grew from that. The ember turned to a spark.
The spark turned into a small, delicate flame.
The flame turned into a fire.
And the fire went out of control.
Then, that day, the fire faded into the rain. And he had to say goodbye, as the even the little ember that started it all┘ died.
