Home Fire By Kamila Shamsie Novels & Stories

I snatch a pair of shorts, tug them on, and head inside through the back entrance. The packhouse is alive even at this late hour. Warriors drift in and out, omegas bustle in the kitchen, and patrols swing through for food or drink before heading back out. The place is never locked, never silent. Tonight, though, the noise feels muffled, distant, as if the world around me is just background static. I head for the kitchen, craving water to soothe the burn in my throat. That’s when I nearly walk straight into my mother. She’s standing by the counter, one of Dad’s shirts hanging loose on her shoulders, robe tied haphazardly at her waist. Her hair is messy, her cheeks flushed, and she’s making tw

As I was about to open my mouth again, I was interrupted by the voices that had grown more terrifying. “Run!” They cried. “RUN!” In a heartbeat, the cold air was replaced by a sudden wave of searing heat, prompting me to spin around and face the horrifying sight before me. The manor, where thousands of Farsuleias had left a mark on the history of our lineage, was now consumed by a raging inferno, its flames eagerly dancing upon the foundations. My breath caught in my chest as I watched the fire's voracious hunger devour everything in its path.

the elder said, “stripped of all protection. You are no longer welcome within Thorneveil territory.” I didn’t argue. Not because I agreed, but because something inside me finally understood. This was never a trial. The restraints were removed. I stood on shaking legs, surrounded by eyes that no longer pretended tolerance. Miranda watched me as I was escorted out, her lips curling into a slow, satisfied smile. It was past midnight when I reached home. Smoke hit me first. Then heat. My house was on fire. Flames tore through the roof, devouring wood and glass, painting the night sky in furious orange. Neighbors stood back in clusters, faces pale, eyes averted.

They only lowered their heads, terrified of becoming collateral damage in whatever war was about to begin. My hand curled inside my pocket as I thought about the real reason I had been dragged back home to clean up yet another mess caused by the same two idiots I shared blood with. I had left my office, my work, my schedule, my life to fix their chaos. Again. Guards lined the walls, weapons raised at alert until they saw me and instantly lowered them in respect. Seeing loaded guns inside the mansion confirmed what I’d already suspected, the situation had reached catastrophic level. I reached the heavy oak door and pushed it open, not politely.

On paper, she was there to work, but in reality, she was only there to have fun. Sydney and I lived and ate together. In a day, she would spend about two hours, at most, on the production line. Mom and Dad also sympathized with her situation, so they turned a blind eye to her inaction. Ultimately, when Sydney found out her salary was slightly lower than that of a veteran employee, she accused my parents of using her for cheap labor. That night, she set our house on fire, burning me and my family alive. Thankfully, fate was on my side. It gave me a second chance to make things right while I could.

It often looked too perfect, as if no one actually lived there. Arder missed her old one-story house, located on the other side of town. Some considered it as the "bad" part of the city, but it was Arder's home. She didn't care for the mansion-- it had always felt cold and empty. Their old house had been owned by her grandmother, Sofia. It was a small cluttered place that her mother insisted on selling after Sofia had died.

Oh no, it is real. I woke up so fast to find out that everything is Literally under fire, did any of the neighbors' houses have burned? It's not a better time to ask any questions, I need to get out of here first, I broke the for strongly to get out Avoiding the fire, but finally, I'm out. It's not so different from the outside, that's not normal for real, our neighborhood is burning - what happened here? - Layla, thank God you're safe

– he shouts when he sees her fly towards the invisible barrier and disappear. Covered by her bubble of invisibility, the phoenix flies over a land that had nothing to do with the frozen desert where the oasis was created. It was a green area, full of trees of different species and many animals. There were rogues everywhere, in small groups, and black, horrible-looking creatures were everywhere too. A group of old and deformed women, many much younger than their appearance, but wrung out by the black power of the magic they used, were gathered around a fire. Over the fire was a huge, black, iron cauldron, where inside, a green and viscous liquid was boiling.

That stupid storyline makes me don't want to watch horror movies because usually, the characters are stupid. I leaned against the small dresser and stared blankly at the floor. I thought that if I hadn't stumbled upon this place, I wouldn't have experienced it. Maybe right now, if I was in a normal world I would be busy with my work as an engineer. Not like this, fighting demons who are beyond my capability. I just want to plan and build houses, buildings, and landmarks. I never wish for this. I could just feel the black ash-like drops. That's no wonder because of the burning homes. It keeps falling like the sky is raining with black ashes. I didn't move because I was still scared.

The woman protested in anger, her clear and calm mood walked out the door, the minute she was treated wrongfully. "But you are. You possess powers that killed my aunt when she gave birth to you, your kind is a bunch of traitors, cowards and so are you." That was when the beautiful, raging woman finally lost it and her hands flew up and out of nowhere, her cousin was on fire, blinding light and all that could be heard was screams...so many screams. Another Vision A little girl was playing with her sister and she accidentally caused a small burning mark to appear on her sister's hand, as her sister hissed in pain, their parents came out of the house and rushed to the back yard towards their da