The Fire

2022 Write Now Winner - Grades 7 & 8

They ran through the fires, listening to the terrified screams. The younger clutched a book to his chest, his wide, terror-filled eyes scanning the burning tents, looking for somewhere safe.

The older of the two grabbed onto his arm, pulling him after groups of people rushing to get out. In the distance, they caught sight of the skyscrapers from where the people who brought the fires originated. They wouldn't go there. That was their agreement.

The older of the two, trembling with terror, pulled the younger through a group, ignoring the wails from the grieving. He scanned the burning encampment as they slowed, looking for the Transporters.

"Over there!" The younger cried, pointing with a trembling hand towards groups of people jumping through portals. The creatures ran through the herd-like groups, screams and blood following them. It would be risky, but they had to try.

"Hurry, Mars," The older whispered, although he wasn't sure the younger could hear him over the roar of the fires. They ran again, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The younger- Mars- gripped onto his companion's arm, fatigue filling him as he ran. "Henry, wait!"

Henry turned, lowering himself so Mars could jump onto his back. Sweat coated his face, but he ignored it and continued.

"On your left!" Mars shouted, clutching the book tightly. Henry glanced over, seeing the glimmer of metal. He ducked, Mars clinging to his back. The roar from the creature made goosebumps prickle across their skin, but they didn't slow as the fire bit at them, threatening their small victory..

The younger glanced at the book, swiping at his nose with his hand. His cheeks were covered in dirt, the fresh tears making paths through them.

The book itself was old, much older than both of the young boys. He had taken it from the small box in their tent, remembering how their mother had read it to them before bed. It was the only thing they had left, other than the clothes on their backs.

"Watch out!" Mars screamed as someone slammed into them, knocking the air out of Henry. He gasped for breath, stumbling. Mars glanced back, flinching involuntarily as the unlucky woman fell to the ground, blood spurting from a wound in her chest. He took a shaky breath, trying to calm his writhing stomach.

Henry ran slower than before, his exhaustion visible in his face. They were almost at the Transporters, though, so he carried on, watching as groups of people stepped into the portals, ending up everywhere, in hopes of being taken in.

Once they were free, they would create new encampments with new Transporters and Portals, and the cycle would continue, as it always did.

Mars felt a grin pulling at his face as they neared the closest Transporter, a young teenager with a scarred face. They would make it! They were going to be free-

A shriek filled the air, making Mars jolt with surprise. A soft grunt escaped him as he hit the ground, making him cough roughly. He slowly peeled his eyes open to stare at the gruesome sight in front of him.

Henry was crouching in front of him, facing away. His trembing hands were raised in a surrendering motion, his eyes wide and panicked. Mars, catching sight of the thing that had caused their fall, felt his lip tremble.

He had never seen one up close, surprisingly. He wouldn't have minded forgetting it.

Henry spoke quickly in a foreign language. The creature slowed, listening with growing rage as Henry tried to beg for mercy. Its eyes were full of a fury that Mars had never seen before, something he only heard whispered about in groups of adults.

It raised a blood-covered axe, ending Henry's pleas with a single swing. Mars couldn't help but scream as he watched his only family die so easily.

He clung to the book with shaking hands as he stared at the corpse that gazed at the smoke-filled sky with blank eyes.

He crawled over, ignoring the warning bellow the creature let out, raising the axe again. At this point, Mars could care less if he was killed. He even wished for it, deciding that it was better than being alone.

Someone scooped him up, but he hardly noticed. He fought weakly as they carried him towards the portal. It was surprising, really. Most people only looked out for themselves when the creatures came. He was alone.

He begged to be let go, to go back, but they didn't listen. He kept a tight grip on the book, the only thing he had left, hoping that its presence would fill the emptiness in the pit of his stomach.

His gaze stayed on the small corpse, left to rot in the field that had only so recently been filled with blooming flowers.

A familiar sound filled his ears as they crossed through the Portal, sunlight immediately blinding him. He hissed in surprise, looking around with narrowed eyes. They were in between two large mountains that disappeared into the clouds. It reminded him of the other camp, but the cold stinging his cheeks reminded him that the Transporters never took them to the same place twice.

He was set down, his captor panting softly as she stood up, wiping at her forehead. He stared back at the Portal, watching as two more came through, covered in blood. The woman glanced back down at him, her eyes devoid of emotion. "How are you feeling, kiddo?"

"Why did you take me?" He whispered, ignoring her question. She sighed, turning away. "I can't leave anyone for them."

She began limping back towards the portal. "You gotta new chance, kid. Do what you want with it."

A new chance. Just like always. He would start over, start to forget about everything he left behind, and then they would come back. And it would continue, until he died from either old age or getting mauled to death.

It was always the same.