Fire Fire
Chapter 1- Fire Fire
In a normal neighborhood, there was a normal home, with a normal family, that led a normal life. At least it ‘was’ normal, until the freak was left on their doorstep.
‘Freak’ was the nephew of Petunia Dursley nee Evens, son of her freak sister and brother in law. She didn’t want the boy, her husband didn’t want the boy, but they kept him. He was supposed to protect them from even worse freaks, plus they could easily use him for free labor. Why would they clean or cook when the freak could? Life was comfortable.
Until one day, something freaky happened.
‘Freak’ was woken up by a banging on his cupboard door, it was five (5) in the morning per his usual schedule. He quickly got up and out, making his way to the kitchen to cook breakfast. It was Monday, meaning he would make bacon and eggs for his family while he would get a slice of bread and maybe some butter if he managed to swipe some.
He hoped it was good enough, he didn’t need any more burns or bruises.
It made him angry, but he squashed the feeling down.
As he was cooking, a buzz of static blurred the edge of his vision. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone. ‘Freak’ shrugged it off and plated the crispy bacon and eggs before setting the table. Just in time too, as his uncle and cousin began to wobble down the stairs. They were like overgrown toddlers, completely unable to fend for themselves.
He watched them eat through the slitted window of his cupboard; they were like a happy little family. No one would have guessed that they kept a little boy in the cupboard. It made him so angry. But freaks weren’t allowed to be angry.
The static came and disappeared again, although it lasted a little longer this time. He could have sworn he heard the telly glitch a bit as well. He knew better than to mention it, it would only get him another beating.
He only came out when the others left. Uncle Vernon had gone to work, while Aunt Petunia and Dudley went to have “Mother-Son-Time”. They always rubbed it in his face when they did.
He began his chores as soon as they left the driveway, the list was long. He knew that he would never be able to finish them in time, he knew that that’s exactly what his uncle wanted. The man wanted a reason to beat the freak, and he would find one no matter what ‘Freak’ did. He only hoped that his uncle would be in a good mood today once he got home.
He started on the outside first, grabbing the gardening tools from the shed. Aunt Petunia always bragged about her roses, even though ‘Freak’ was the one who took care of them. The white and red speckled flowers were his only source of pride and joy, even if he didn’t get the credit for them. He admired them in a way, they were beautiful and untouchable, he wished he could be like them.
Hidden beneath the thorny bushes was a small red and black snake. It had been napping when something disturbed it’s prickly fortress.
“Who dare disssturb me!” It demanded. ‘Freak’ jumped at the new voice, looking around to find the possible source of it before he picked up the scent of the snake. The boy looked down at the young reptile, who’s scales shimmered in the warm sunlight.
“Oh, hello there.” The snake seemed unamused.
“Why do you disssturb me ssspeaker!” It hissed angrily.
“I was only trying to prune the rosssesss. I’m sssorry for waking you up.” He replied guiltily. The snake let out another hiss before slithering away.
What a rude snake.
‘Freak’ finished up the garden after that and moved to the indoor chores. Wiping the counters, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting. The worst part was cleaning Dudley’s rooms. Yes ‘rooms’, plural. By the time he was done with it all he could hear the car pull into the driveway. Uncle Vernon usually picked up aunt petunia and Dudley from their “Bonding Time” on the way home from work.
This was very bad, because ‘Freak’ has yet to start dinner.
He had some things set out by the time they walked in the door to make himself look busy, but it didn’t work.
“Why isn’t dinner cooking yet boy!? Do you want us to starve to death before you’re done!?” His aunt screamed.
“No aunt Petunia, I’m sorry.” He said meekly, static once again blurring the edges of his vision, although this time it didn’t go away.
“Oh you’ll be sorry boy!” Growled Vernon, removing his belt, “Pet, why don’t you and Dudley go order something for deliver?”
‘Freak’ started to tremble. Was the man really so angry that ‘Freak’ wouldn’t be able to cook after the beating? Or was he just impatient? As the large walrus of a man stepped forward ‘Freak’ made the fatal mistake of stepping back. The man growled again.
“Don’t you dare try to run from me boy!” He shouted as he grabbed the small boy by the arm, almost breaking the fragile bones, and threw him to the tile. Then the belt came down. ‘Freak could do nothing but cry. He could hear the static in his ears now as it consumed his vision. “Answer me when I speak to you!” He suddenly heard. Had he been asked a question?
Then he had a hand around his neck, squeezing, and he was lifted off the floor. Panic consumed him as he struggled and, as if on instinct, his hand shot out. Fire shot from his palm and began to creep along Vernon’s arm. The man shrieked as it began to eat at his shirt, dropping ‘Freak’ to the tile. The flame soon engulfed him, screams rang out as the flames ate at his flesh.
‘Freak’ was speechless as he watched the fire consume his tormentor.
His aunt and cousin ran in to see what happened. They screamed.
“Fire! Fire! Fire!” But the flames didn’t stop at Vernon. As the man stumbled back onto the freshly vacuumed carpet, the grey fibers caught alight. Petunia tried to run to the phone, but the fire quickly spread to cut her off. Dudley tried for the door, but the brass knob was much too hot. He screamed a high squeal as blisters decorated his palm.
‘Freak’ would have laughed at the girlish scream if he weren’t mesmerized by the hot orange, red, and yellow glow.
It was so pretty.
The static consumed his mind, but he quickly snapped out of it. He didn’t want to die in a burning house after all. He ran to the door without thinking and grabbed the knob. He couldn’t feel the burn. Quickly, he threw the door open and closed it behind him as he left, trapping the Dursley’s inside. He only turned back once he made it to the road. Although the fire only started a few minutes ago, it was already taking the entire house.
‘Freak’ giggled slightly. As the static cleared completely from his mind, he collapsed and devolved into insane laughter.
“Ssspeaker?” A voice hissed. ‘Freak’ turned towards it to see the snake from the garden. He giggled more. “No more rossse bussshesss?” It asked.
“No. No more rossse bussshesss here.”
“This is much warmer than rossse bussshesss.” The snake stated, curling around ‘Freaks’ arm.
The two (2) watched the flames eat away the horrid house, listening to the screams of the Dursley’s.
It was beautiful.