I again re-targeted Ayla. I pulled the trigger.

Her eyes and Lillian’s grew wide in surprise. I smiled. I don’t know why I pulled it, but I did. Maybe it was Ayla’s comment or I just knew I had too. She managed to stumble out of the way a bit but the bullet still clipped her shoulder, just below her neck. She gasped at the impact and her eyes watered. She fell down in shock. My mother looked at me. Her eyes were filled with anger. I stood in front of Ayla as she stood in front of Axel. Axel looked surprised and scared.

"This house is going to fall down. I want Axel and you want Ayla." I said. We slowly circled around the room my gun still pointed at her. I didn’t want to shoot her though. The house would collapse and both of them would be injured and not be able to get out in time. No matter how much I hate them, I couldn’t let them die helplessly. If they died trying to escape I wouldn’t feel that bad. Sure I would feel sorry but not as much so if it was dad and Axel in trouble. I got to Axel and quickly untied his hands. He had already worked the worst of the knot out and I pulled out his gag and wrapped my dishcloth around his face, rubbing it since the cloth was still damp. I gave Axel my gun while I untied his feet as fast as possible. The flames had now consumed everything and was now working inward toward us. 

"Yes!" I whispered happily. The word hurt my throat. I was sore, hot and burnt and probably have permanent lung damage for being in open flame and smoke for so long. The house creaked and I heard a crash. The house was falling apart! I grabbed Axel. I turned around and saw the yellow orange flames dancing right in front of my face. We were surrounded. I screamed! A loud shrill ear splitting scream. I was crying I looked at Axel his eyes were wide in surprise. Mine did too when I felt something cool crawling across my side where I was holding Axel. I looked at him. His eyes were a brilliant summer sky blue. "You’re a Cryokinetic!" I exclaimed in awe. Fire licked my back and I sucked in a breath when it was cooled over. 

"Wow!" Axel said. Looking at me. I felt like I was in a wetsuit but it was made of ice.

"Try and make a path to the window." I urged covering him from the flames. Another crash sounded and I heard distant screams non of which mattered anymore. 

I need to get Axle out alive. He’s still so young. I thought. I looked at his determined face and didn’t doubt for a second that he couldn’t complete his task.

"Audrey. Audrey!!" He said waving a hand in my face. 

"Right." I lifted him and punched the window. "Think we’ll survive the fall?" I asked. He looked around and then the ground.

"We have to fall on our front and I can try to make an ice slide thingy." he replied uneasily. I nodded and flung myself out of the window. I saw the ground. It glittered with embers from the flame. The sky was darkened from the smoke. I coughed then focused on my landing. The ground was coming quick. I heard the building creak and then a whoosh of heat and embers and sparks flew out from behind me and I knew the house was done for. I looked at the ground again and saw a large patch of snow. I braced myself and put my hands out slowing my impact. I heard a snap and knew I broke my wrist. It hurt so bad. I was so exhausted. So hot. But I had to keep going to find the backpacks and Axel. I heard a groan from somewhere behind me. I spotted Axel a little bit further. I steadied my breath and pushed myself up with my good hand.

"Come on buddy! We have to go!" I pulled Axel up. 

"I think...I think I broke my leg or sumthin...maybeasprain.." His words were slurred and his face was pale and tired.

"You overused your ability. And it was new." I scolded him. I helped him hobble over a little way from the burning house and over to my school bag. Then a bit further to the leather satchel. Axel looked at my quizzically but I said nothing.

"Is dad...Is he...Like for--for real...He’s d-dead?" Axel stuttered tears streaming down his face. I nodded and we continued closer the the forest. When we arrived to where I had laid dad. Axel slumped down and on his chest sobbing. I let him be knowing I didn’t have time to grieve right now.

"Axel, We need to bring him to the forest...We’ll use it as a campsite for now." I said supporting Axel then bending down a lifting our father by the feet. Axel reached for his hands.

"How far?" he asked. His eyes were red and puffy and wet.

"5-10 minutes." I answered just as plain and hurt of a voice as his. It took us 20 minutes and by then Axel was panting and my eyes watering in pain for my wrist. I sighed and held out my hands then curling them inward, calling for natures assistance. Axel stared as the vines, plants and trees came inward and braided themselves making a little tipi like thing for us. I looked at Axel before pulling dad’s body toward the entrance. Axel followed. Inside was small and earthy. But it did its job by blocking out wind and and further precipitation. I opened my backpack. I had a bad habit of not emptying it after school so I had my papers, gym clothes, a sandwich and apple and water from the lunch that I didn’t eat because I got fries from the cafeteria. Then it had what I had thrown into it, a hoodie, jeans, leggings, two shirts, underwear and a bra. My purse and phone were also in there. I left dad’s bag for later. I put the gun in the satchel before telling Axel to change into the hoodie. His clothes weren’t as burnt as mine but he was wearing a t-shirt and I wanted him to be warm at night. I then changed into the jeans and one of the shirts. 

"What are we going to do now?" Axel asked me. He looked like a lost puppy. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.

"We’ll figure it out. We’ll camp here until we have enough energy to dig dad a grave then we can find someplace else to live." I opened my lunch bag and handed him half the sandwich and some water. He ate hungrily. I laid down on the soft dirt and tucked my hands behind my head. Axel was already asleep when I whispered,

"Goodnight buddy, we’ll figure this out." I whispered, closing my tired eyes.

Next Chapter: ~Spirit~