Page 60 of Black
CHAPTER 10
The Bonfire
Cia
Three days later I had progressed to being nine years old and was dressed in what a nine-year-old girl would probably consider a beautiful princess dress. It was puffy and hideous, with a big bow and the most horrid pale pink color that reminded me of piglets. Gabriel and I had already had a lot of fun on that account.
In the evening we had a bonfire, and I was terrified of getting too close to the fire considering the amount of synthetic material I was wrapped in. One spark and I would go up in flames like a fake Christmas tree.
I was so afraid that I didn’t even want to make my own s’mores, something I had secretly dreamed of since I was a kid. As always, Gabriel came to my rescue and made me as many s’mores as I could eat.
I noticed the new guy was still in his baby jumper and felt sorry for him when his mom fed him. I had only been a baby for a day… he had been here six days and hadn’t progressed. On the first day, he hadn’t left his room; on the second I had seen him shortly and he’d looked like crap. I hadn’t seen him talk to anyone except his mom and the staff, but with the angry scowl on his face he wasn’t the easiest person to approach.
I sympathized with him, knowing that I would be angry too, if I was still a baby. I totally pitied him for the way he looked at the s’mores with longing, because I remembered eating a banana while everyone else had chocolate cake on my first night here.
I went to talk to him, hoping that maybe I could cheer him up a bit. “Hey, how are you holding up?” I asked in a friendly way.
His mom gave me a smile but he didn’t seem too happy about my attention.
I tried a bit of humor. “I was dressed like a bee myself a week ago… if you’re lucky you can progress to being pink cotton candy tomorrow.”
“Gee thanks, that would be something to look forward to,” he said and looked away.
“Here,” I whispered and sneaked half a s’more into his hand. “Don’t let the mad scientist see it, okay?”
He didn’t talk or even acknowledge what was in his hand, and I moved back to sit with Gabriel, who patted his lap. “Come sit here,” he said.
Considering that I was a walking fire hazard, and that I had already been carried around, bathed, and tucked into bed by this big guy, it actually felt rather natural and safe to cuddle up in his lap.
“Oink, oink,” he grunted and smiled.
“Hey, be nice to your little piglet.”
He pulled me closer and laughed. “Don’t worry, Miss Piggy, I’ll protect you from any mean frogs or big bad wolves.”
“I’m not so sure, you aren’t a big bad wolf yourself,” I said and laughed.
“Don’t be silly. If you’re a piglet and I’m your dad, that would make me a big boar.” The fire lit up his face and gave his eyes a mischievous sparkle. “A bigwildboar, that is.”
“Oh yeah, and what did you do with my mamma pig?”
Gabriel made a bad imitation of sadness. “I’m afraid my beloved sow ran off with another boar who was younger and more handsome.”
I played along and gave a pout. “No one is more handsome than you, Daddy,” I teased and ended with a grunt myself.
We broke into laughter and a feel good vibe spread through my body. As I sat, sandwiched in between Gabriel’s warm body and the heat from the bonfire, I relaxed against him, resting my head on his shoulder, and when Therese started playing a guitar and others sang along I closed my eyes and allowed myself to feel happy for the first time in a long time. I knew it wouldn’t be long before worried thoughts would come knocking again, but this short break felt as refreshing as a week’s holiday.
When we were back in the cabin again, Gabriel brushed my teeth and tucked me in with a goodnight story. I was tired and fell asleep quickly, only partly sensing the kiss he planted on my forehead.
My dreams that night were vivid, and all centered upon fire. I saw my Hello Kitty burn again; I saw my mom’s crazy eyes as she threatened to burn down the house and me in it. I saw myself burn up, and woke up screaming.
Gabriel wasn’t there. The bed was empty and I called for him, hysterically.
?∞?
Gabriel
I kissed Cia on her forehead and rubbed her back until I was sure she was sleeping. This girl was getting under my skin.
