Chapter 21

(Kane and Clara)

Clara wiped a tear from her eye as Kane finished the chapter and closed the book. They had been reading throughout the week, finally reaching the point of understanding as to why the book was titled what it was.

"So that's why it's called Flame of Life." Clara said sounding a little emotional with her thin rat-like tail with a jagged tip resting in her lap. "Sissy's so important to Matt that he considers her his 'flame of life'; the thing that keeps him living and what had kept him alive when he almost died."

Kane stood up from his chair with a pleased expression.

"That's very perceptive of you, Clara." Kane told her, setting the book down. "I'm glad you saw the metaphor."

Kane moved over to the window near his desk and stared outside to the sea. Clara sat in her chair with her legs crossed, still moved by how beautiful the last chapter had been to her.

"You came up with such a beautiful analogy." she told him. Kane turned to her with a smirk.

"I'd thank you," he told her, "but I can't accept credit for what isn't mine."

Clara looked at him funny.

"But you wrote the book." she told him confused. "How isn't it yours?"

Kane turned his head towards the window once again.

"In life we are told many things." Kane explained to her. "Some of it is labeled fiction while other things are labeled as fact. Sometimes, the two of which are inner mixed, forming legends and folk lore that is passed from person to person. You see, I didn't so much as write this story as much as report it. I was the one who sifted through the fact and fiction, digging out the truth of what really happened."

Clara stared at him unsure.

"You mean this is a real story?" she asked him. Kane, without even looking to her, nodded his head.

"Yes," he told her, "and you and I have a lot to do with it."

Clara didn't know how to respond.

"I'm not sure I understand, sir." she said honestly. Kane chuckled, still staring out to sea.

"Soon enough, dear." he told her. "Soon enough you will."

Kane turned around, pulling out the chair to his desk. He sat down and opened one of his drawers, pulling out stacks of letters that had all already been opened. He moved them to the side of this desk, stacking them as neatly as possible, pulling out a sheet of writing paper from the same drawer. Reaching for a pen, he looked over to Clara, who was busy pondering what he had told her.

"Clara, sweetheart, isn't it time for you to take your medication?"

She had nearly forgotten. Clara got out of the chair and left the room, leaving the door cracked as Kane listened to her walk down the hall. He shook his head with a chuckle. Returning to business, he lowered his pen to the paper and began to write.

Dear Readers,

I cannot thank you enough for your support. Never had I imagined any of my stories to ever become so popular. All of your comments, messages, and general support keep me going, penning out each page quicker than the last. I ask your forgiveness for the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. I have a tendency to miss things, even after rereading it over and over again.

Many of you have asked questions, that I assure you, will be answered. One of which is why Clara and I are involved in the story. It may not seem like it now, but her and I plays significant rolls in the story, but for now you'll just have to accept the mysteriousness of our presence.

Flame of Life is far from over, only just getting started. There will be plenty of adventure, romance, with a few twists and turns along the way. The cast of characters will grow. Some you will love, some you will hate, and others you won't know how to feel about. Swords will clash, guns will blaze, magic will be slung, and action will steadily grow as well as the romance.

Again, I thank all of you from your support. You all have no idea what it means to mean to receive messages and comments of support and feedback. I promise to continue to please and will do my best to update regularly, even if it means working through the night and burning the candle at both ends. Thank you.

-Krimson Kane

Kane set down his pen with Clara entering the room and taking a seat once more. He smiled at her, standing up from his desk and heading over to his leather chair once more.

"Shall we continue?" he asked her.