Novel & Cerita Nothing More Let Em Burn

"I don't believe in miracles anymore, Ben. I believe in stubbornly refusing to die. There's a difference." "Is there?" he asked, his voice softer now. "Sometimes I think your stubborn refusal to give up is the closest thing to a miracle I've seen since The Burning." The mention of The Burning made my chest tighten, as it always did. The memories were still too fresh, too raw. I could still smell the smoke, hear the screms, see the sky turning that terrible shade of orange as the world caught fire. I pushed the thoughts away, focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other.

“You’re still going to fall for her lies? She’s threatening to kill herself because she knows you care about her. I can bet my entire savings that she’d never jump!” As I watched their complicated expressions, I smiled. “Final countdown: three, two, one…” I spread my arms and fell back without hesitation. The howling wind filled my ears, along with hysterical screams. “No!!!”

“Don’t touch me! Stay away from me!” “Calm down,” Azzmi said, stepping in. “They’re just trying to help.” Zerra glared at her, still clutching her burning skin. “If it’s you, just mind your own business! You did this to me!” “What? Me?” Azzmi’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Yes, you did this on purpose!” Zerra snapped. “You can’t be serious right now. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” “I hate this!” Zerra shouted, still trying to get up, gasping for breath.

When I struck the match in my cramped rental apartment, my whole body trembled with excitement. I could not believe the truth was so close to me all along, and yet it had taken me so long to figure it out. The second the flame went out, I caught a glimpse of a tiny red dot flashing outside the window. I calmly held up the burned-out matchstick and made sure she could capture it on camera. Then, I texted Vera. [I've already made my third wish. In a few days, you'll definitely come begging me to spare you.]

“But let’s see how long this one lasts before I burn it down too.” ***

my mom said gently. I opened my mouth—ready to argue, ready to scream, ready to tell them exactly what I thought of Tristain Darson and his stupid smirk and stupid motorcycle and stupid ability to get under my skin—but nothing came out. A hot, buzzing frustration crawled beneath my ribs. “This is insane,” I whispered. “We know this isn’t ideal,” my mom said softly. “But it’s temporary.” Temporary. Sure. So is a nuclear blast. I stepped back from the table, pulse pounding in my ears. “No. I’m not doing it.”

Silent. Burning.

Drowned in betrayal. Suffocated by despair.

Accusations laced with truths twisted into lies. Their sanctuary was starting to fracture. But they held on. Every night, they lit candles. They made love like warriors. They kissed like prayers. They whispered promises into each other’s skin. “We are fire,” Isabella told him one night. “Let her try to smother us.” And Auther, fierce and aching, replied, “Then let her burn.”

“The Flamecarriers are leaving tomorrow.” “I know,” she said, coming to stand beside him. “They asked me to write them a code,” he added. “Not a rulebook. Just a promise.” Serena tilted her head. “What did you write?” He handed her the paper. “We do not burn to destroy. We burn to remember. And where there is memory—there is light.” She read it once. Twice. Then folded it and tucked it against her chest. “It’s perfect.” A Dream of Fire