The Phoenix Prophecy: Nova

This time, as Kole’s eyes darken, the red glow that surrounds him starts to flicker. Behind me, Luther’s chant grows louder.

As I watch Kole’s face, it changes. He snaps his head from side to side. Something moves beneath his skin, like I can see his blood pumping in his veins.

“Kole. Her memories. Find her memories.” Tanner puts a hand on Kole’s shoulder. Kole jerks away, groans, then roars. A scream so loud and deep that it rattles the walls.

I screw my eyes shut, slam my hands over my ears. I feel hot. Too hot.

When I open my eyes, the room is brighter. I’m staring at a window. A big picture window looking out onto a lawn and a tree. A tree with a swing.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

I turn, my limbs moving like treacle.

There’s an unlit fireplace. Big, old, brick. Stockings are hung above it. It’s Christmas time.

On the floor, a young girl is playing with a doll. She has auburn hair.

“Nova!” A voice calls. A boy appears, grinning. He’s the same age as the girl. Five, maybe six years old.

He charges at her playfully, tries to tickle her. When she tugs away, shaking her head at him, he snatches the doll.

“He wants to play with you,” I say softly to the girl. But she doesn’t hear me.

“Nova! Let’s play hide and seek.”

“Leave me alone, Sam. You always ruin my games.” She pouts and reaches for the doll, but he pulls it out of her reach.

He has black hair and big brown eyes. He dangles the doll playfully. “Come on, Nova. Please.”

“Sam. Gimme.” She stands and tries to grab the doll.

He’s laughing. At first, she’s not. But then she starts to see the funny side.

“Let’s play vampires!” she yells, forgetting about the doll. “You’re the vamp. I’m the human.”

The boy giggles and makes fangs with his index fingers. He chases her around the room. She holds up something invisible and tells him it’s garlic.

“That’s a myth.” he says defiantly.

“What’s a myth?” she asks, leaping from a big gray couch to a burgundy armchair.

She lands safely on the chair, but the boy grabs her ankle. “Ha! Got you!” He pulls her onto the floor. She’s laughing, squealing. He’s laughing too. Then suddenly, she’s not laughing anymore. She’s crying.

“Sam! Ow!” The girl grabs her leg. Something red and sticky forms beneath her fingers. “You bit me.”

The boy blinks at her with wide eyes. “Sorry, Nova.” His voice comes out in a snarl.

She looks at her leg and moves her hand. The wound is big. Deep. When she looks back, she narrows her eyes. She’s mad now. Her cheeks flush. “You bit me.” Her voice has changed. She stands up.

“Nova?” A woman’s voice. A door opens.

“Nova? Sam? What’s happened?” A man is there too.

Her parents. But she doesn’t see them. Her gaze is fixed on the boy.

“You bit me! You made me bleed. You’re evil. Get away from me.” She yells, lifts her hands. Flames flow from them like water. A wall of fire encircles her. The empty fireplace whooshes to life. She turns around, and around, and around. The room is ablaze. Voices are shouting. Hands are trying to reach her.

By the time she realizes what she’s done, it’s too late.

“Mommy! Daddy!” She shakes her hands. “I can’t stop it.” She starts to mutter under her breath, “Stop, stop, please stop.”

She steps through the flames, desperately searching. “Sam? I’m sorry. Sam. Where are you?”

There’s a loud crack. The house shakes. The ceiling is falling. She runs. And she leaves them behind.