Author Note: I must be having a good streak, because this is the third time I have updated in three days. This chapter is shorter then the average, but that's because one of my reviewers hinted towards the fact he wanted to know what happened inside the book while Sly was visiting Carmelita. Well for all those unknown, wondering, masses, here is your answer.
Chapter 14
An hour together
After cleaning up the mess in the kitchen, Sly and Carmelita were content to sit together at the kitchen table eating lunch meat sandwiches. At first, Carmelita was just thankful to have someone to talk to. Soon, however, she had completely forgotten her world was made up of what Sly had written in a book. Sly's presence helped her forget everything that happened. How her real body was lying in a hospital bed, dangling on the edge of death while her soul remained in pieces. It did not take long for the two to get finished with their light dinner. Sly would be in the book for another fifty minutes, and Carmelita wanted to take advantage of every minute. Still, nothing came to mind.
Sly and Carmelita sat silently together for a few minutes. Sly was also trying to think of something he and Carmelita could do together. Then, something popped into his head. He did not know what had given him the burst of inspiration, but he quickly pulled out his cell phone and decided to give something a try.
Back in the real world, as Blain and Rachel talked lightly about different magical technique, the phone rang. Blain stood up, and answered the phone, "Hello."
Sly smiled, "Blain, is that you."
Blain blinked a few times, glancing over at the book, "Sly, are you calling from inside the book?"
"Yep, and I have a good reason to. Can you do something for me?"
Carmelita tried to hear what Sly was saying on the phone, but he had turned away and was speaking in a hushed voice. A few minutes passed before Sly closed his cell phone, and turned to Carmelita. He slowly stood up, and said, "Would you mind humoring me for a second Miss Fox. I have just arranged something I think you will enjoy."
Carmelita raised an eyebrow, but stood up from her chair. She followed Sly out the front door, and onto the lawn. Sitting on the lawn was a chair swing just big enough for two. Sly helped Carmelita down onto the swing, and then took a seat beside her. Carmelita began to wonder where the chair had come from when a great flash filled the sky. Around them, coming from what seemed thin air, gentle orchestra music began to. In tune with the music, a fireworks show began to dance on the darkened sky.
The hour was nearing its end, and Sly was sad that his time with Carmelita had to end. Through the firework show she had slid close to him her head resting on his shoulder while his arm was draped around hers. The last orchestra song ended, and the fireworks disappeared from the sky. There was a pause, and Sly thought it had ended until on large stream of light shot up into the sky. It exploded, forming a huge burst of white fire that filled the entire sky.
Then, strangely, the fire began to condense back into a small ball, becoming nothing more then a star in the sky. At that point, more music began to fill the air. A gentle guitar began to play while the spot of fire began to expand out, taking the shape of a perfectly shaped heart.
We call them cool
Those hearts that have no scars to show
The ones that never do let go
And risk the tables being turned
The heart then shifted, a pair of blank silhouettes forming in its center. It was the image of two people dancing as if they were lost in the flames of the heart.
We call them fools
Who have to dance within the flame
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always comes with getting burned
But you've got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire
The heart changed to take the shape of what looked like a very strong man. He was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into the depths. At the bottom of the cliff was a small shimmer of red light, a normal fire against all the white flames.
We call them strong
Those who can face this world alone
Who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fall
The strong figure turned away, and disappeared from the cliff side. Then, another silhouette appeared. This one was a thinner man, and he looked down the side of the cliff. He looked at the red fire, and then leapt of the side of the cliff, falling slowly towards the red fire.
We call them weak
Who are unable to resist
The slightest chance love might exist
And for that forsake it all
They're so hell-bent on giving ,walking a wire
Convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire
The scene changed again, this time to a normal fire again. This time, there was a single person standing outside the fire and two standing inside the flames. The two inside were kissing lovingly, the person on the outside looking upon the scene with yearning eyes.
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
For a final time, the scene changed. It showed a single man, his hands clasped over his heart. He raised them up, a bright red flame floating up above him. The man disappeared, and the small flame danced in the night sky, rising higher and higher. Flying around it were shooting stars, encircling it before they disappeared over the distant horizon
There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide
Standing outside the fire
At that point, the small red fire exploded, filling the sky with a huge amount of fireworks. Amongst the fireworks were great comets, shooting stars that danced across the night sky, twisting a turn in tune with the music.
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
Sly blinked a few times, watching as the fireworks slowly dimmed before the night once again belonged to the moon and stars. Was he like the song suggested? He always flirted with Carmelita. Everyone that had ever heard of him knew that. Still, flirting was on thing. In truth, he was afraid to tell Carmelita his true feelings. Sly shook his head a bit, smiling. He had faced a giant robotic owl, twice, and he was afraid of saying just a few simple words.
Sly looked back at Carmelita, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Sly gently stood up, supporting Carmelita's head with his hand. He then set her down flat on the swing. He stepped back, and smiled as he watched Carmelita sleep. He was afraid, there was no denying it. Still, in time, he would take that leap. He would leap into the fire, where Carmelita waited. He would then tell her everything, just how much she meant to him. Then, he would find out if she returned his feelings. If he would get burned by the fire, or be able to dance with Carmelita within the fire of love, of compassion.