Page 2 of King of Inferno

Right as she says the words, music begins to play from Leona’s bedroom. I’m too tired to even groan as I hear music blasting from behind her door. It’s well after the hours we agreed upon for noise and entertainment.

One more semester and I can leave this all behind—working two jobs, having to live with roommates, studying until my eyes feel like they’re going to bleed. I’ll be able to say goodbye to it all in four and a half more months. My roommates have no respect for me.

I’ve asked politely plenty of times for them to respect my space, my time, and my things, but they never do. I don’t have the energy to knock and ask for Leona to turn that crap down. Knowing her, she’ll turn it up and make sure it plays until tomorrow morning.

I hate it here.

All I want is a good, full night’s sleep. No dreams, no weird memories, nothing but sleep. The kind of sleep when your body and mind get a full rest.

I make it to my room and sigh in relief to find my bed empty. I shrug my backpack off my shoulders and toss it in my desk chair. Kicking off my sneakers, I then strip from my clothes with the little energy I have left. Stumbling to my bed, I fall face-first into it.

I’m out before I can register that I’ve landed on my bed safely. However, I know as soon as sleep takes over, I’m falling into one of those dreams again. I want to fight to keep my eyes open, to keep the dreamworld out, but it’s no use.

Immediately, I notice this time is a bit different. The surroundings have an ancient feel to them. I feel like I’m in a time so far from my own as I stand in a field.

Looking down at my clothes, I find myself in gladiator sandals and a shirt made of leather strips. Leather also molds to my chest.

“You don’t need superpowers to have heart, Annaniah,” someone with a deep rumbling voice says from behind me.

I startle but relax quickly. His voice makes me feel like I know him. There’s this deep sense of trust I feel with him. Almost like he’s my big brother.

I know he’s speaking to me, and I’m this Annaniah in the dream. Glancing down, I find a chakram in each hand. Zena, the warrior princess, comes to mind. However, in this dream, it feels as if I know them well.

“Annaniah, I know you feel as if your sisters are all stronger than you. The fact that you asked me for more training says you have what it takes to get better, stronger, faster. I only need you to believe in yourself.”

I go to turn to see the face of the man speaking to me, but the dream shifts as soon as I do. I’m confused because I know I knew him. I remember the day he said those words to me, but it seems like a time so long ago—how can that be possible?

As the dream changes, I’m now sitting at a bonfire as I have so many times before in these dreams. I feel small, not so much in size, but as if I’m young. A little girl.

I know I’m a girl because I look down and see my small hands with pink nail polish on them. I have long dark hair that’s in two braids on each side of my head, hanging down over my shoulders.

“Api Kecil.” I raise my head, recognizing the name for my own.

There’s a figure on the other side of the fire, but I’m too small to see them over it. The voice of the speaker is deep and almost ethereal. Yet, it brings with it so much comfort.

“You have been named Little Fire for the gift you have been given and will carry with you from this life into the next. The blessing that was once blocked has now been given. Guard this gift well, Api Kecil. It will serve you well when the time comes.”

It’s the same dream as before and I still don’t understand what’s going on. Always this place, always the same voice. I look around me, trying to find anything new to explain what this all means and why I keep returning to the same dream.

Nothing, there’s nothing to help. I go to speak to see if I can this time. Usually, I can’t. However, as soon as I open my mouth, everything changes.

This is new. Instead of sitting before the fire, I’m now surrounded by flames. I’m myself this time, that much I can feel. I’m on my knees and I’m naked. I can feel the heat of the flames, but I’m not panicked.

I’m more so confused. That’s when I look into the flames as a figure begins to form behind them. I squint, trying to see who or what’s on the other side.

I lift my hand as I begin to feel a pull toward the figure moving toward me. My brows knit as the air feels thick around me. My heart is racing, but I feel safe.

“I’m not going to keep putting up with this shit.”

I pop up out of my sleep looking around wildly as shouting starts in the apartment. I growl and push a hand through my sweat-soaked hair. I’m already bone tired. I’m not in the mood for this crap.

“Six a.m.,” I mutter as I look at the clock.

Damn, I’ve barely gotten any sleep. I fling the covers off and stumble out of bed. The yelling continues as I find some sweats and a T-shirt to tug on. I roll my eyes and groan as I make it to the door of my room and tug it open.

Tangy is shouting in Angel’s face as she has her hands on her hips. This is nothing new. Angel stays getting on everyone’s nerves.

“I’m not trying to hear that shit. Where’s the fucking rent?” Tangy snarls.

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