1999 New Years Eve
Michael was 21 and looking forward to celebrating the New Year. He started the fire and stared into its hypnotic light. It was calling him. His friend wanted him. The flames crawled up the walls around him. He walked, mesmerized into the center of the room as the fire encircled him. The warmth made him smile. He felt the flames eating away at his pants legs. He felt no pain. The flames whipped up his arms to his face. This was a wonderful way to celebrate, just him and his faithful friend. One together. He felt himself being pulled away from the flames. This wasn't happening. He wanted the fire. He needed the fire. The fire fighter pulled the burning man to the cool air outside and doused the flames that scorched his body.
Present Day
The van bounced and jerked as it drove down the desolate path. Gage and Sydney were being tossed around. Gage hit his arm on the wall and woke as Sydney's body rolled into him.
"Syd," he whispered, not wanting to draw their captor's attention. Her eyes fluttered and he pulled her near. He had to keep her safe. He felt the van slowing down and was thankful when the vehicle stopped. He was nauseous and this ride was making him sick. The van door slid open and Gage saw the man that grabbed them. His face was scarred and his left ear was horribly deformed from what Gage figured was a severe burn.
Michael saw that Gage was awake and holding the woman.
"Oh no you don't. She's mine." Michael grabbed Sydney's feet and with one swift pull had her out of Gage's weak grasp.
Gage reached for her. "SYD!" he screamed.
Michael laid her on the ground and then climbed back into the van. Hovering over Gage, he snarled, "You won't get her."
Gage swung his leg around and tried to knock the man down but the close quarters and the weakness caused by his head injury made him dizzy. The darkness took over and Gage succumbed to it.
Michael smiled. He grabbed a rope out from under the passenger seat and carried Sydney inside the log cabin. He sat her in a chair, tying her hands behind her and her ankles to the chair. Her head flopped to one side, her hair cascading over her face.
"God, you're beautiful," he said, pushing her head back. He straightened and looked at her. "I could do so much to you."
He walked around the cabin placing a small amount of C-4 near a supporting pillar close to the back wall. He laughed. The anticipation was making him high, almost like a drug. He set the charge. Walking to the couch in the corner, he lit a match and dropped it on the fabric. The couch ignited and he felt the joy rise in him. He walked back over to his captive and leaned down to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered. He rubbed his hand down her chest and she opened her eyes.
Fear swept across her face. "Gage!" she screamed, unable to defend herself.
"Is that his name?" Michael smiled, "He will watch you burn."
He ran from the cabin. He pulled Gage out of the van and left his unconscious body on the grass. He closed the van door and ran to the driver's side door. He held the detonator button in his hand and smiled. He pushed the red button and watched the cabin explode. The charge blew the support pillar into small pieces and the structure collapsed, just like he knew it would. Between the fire and the explosion the cabin and everything inside would soon be nothing but ashes.
He drove away from the scene, smiling as the flames whipped into the sky. Flames made him happy. He loved the orange glow. He felt at one with the fire. He belonged with the fire. He had tried once to join the fire to become one with it, to be a part of it, but the fire fighter pulled him out. Damn it. He remembered not feeling the pain as the fire scorched his body. It licked his skin and kissed his face. He welcomed it lovingly, pleading for it to take him home to the fiery depths where he longed to be.
The flames illuminated the darkness. Smoke billowed from the windows. The crackling of the burning cabin finally awakened the unconscious Gage. The heat beckoned him to get up. Coming to his senses, his memory slapped him hard as he remembered Sydney was in the cabin.
