Orison by Brandon Gray

Author:Brandon Gray [Gray, Brandon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-02T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

BRANSON

I almost yanked the kitchen door off its hinges as I ran in. Then I froze.

Fire.

Everywhere.

All the burners on the stove had been turned on high, and the flames racing up the kitchen curtains got closer to the ceiling each time I blinked. Framed by the burning curtains, Aunt Dorothy clutched a candle between her cast-covered hands. “Follow the light, Jack! It will lead you home.” In a high, reedy voice she sang, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. . .”

I needed to do something, but I couldn’t move. My muscles clenched up and my heart pumped into overdrive. My throat went dry and I shook all over. Sweat soaked me in seconds. And the flames got bigger.

Flames everywhere.

Guilt and panic flared up inside me, burning with the same heat as the fire. I was back on the boat watching the flames roar through the hallway. Hearing screams and shouts.

Had I done that?

“Branson! I need your help, son!” Abraham’s familiar voice pulled me back. He had a fire extinguisher pointed at the curtains. A white cloud of foam whooshed out and smothered the flames. He jerked his head over in the direction of Aunt Dorothy who stood behind him, sobbing and still waving the candle.

My body still shook, but I managed to make myself move. “Aunt Dorothy, let me have the candle.” I took it from her as gently as I could, but she howled and screamed. “Jack’s lost! He’s lost at sea and it’s too dark to come home.”

“Miss Dorothy, come sit down.” Aurianna walked in. She hummed and took Aunt Dorothy by the arm, leading her to a chair.

I blew the candle out and looked around. The whole thing must have been over in a few seconds. It seemed a lot longer.

Abraham turned the stove burners off. Aurianna got Aunt Dorothy calmed down. I did nothing. Totally useless. The whole house could have gone up in flames. If Abraham hadn’t been there, it probably would have. How long would I have stood there having flashbacks?

New waves of guilt rolled over me. It never got better. It never changed. At my worst, I killed people I loved. At my best, I was useless.

“Dorothy, you know you’re not supposed to use fire,” Abraham said. “Could have burned the whole place down.”

“But Jack’s lost! He can’t come home. It’s so dark out.” She dropped her head into her hands and sobbed again.

“Where was Miss Judith?” Abraham muttered. “Not supposed to leave Dorothy alone.” He helped Aunt Dorothy stand up. “Let’s get you to your room so you can get some sleep. Mr. Branson and Miss Aurianna’ll keep the candle in the window for Mr. Jack.”

“Will it be big enough for him to see?” Aunt Dorothy asked. “He’s so far away. If you light the curtains on fire, it will be better.”

“You just come on up to bed,” Abraham said. “Leave everything to them.”

They left, and the kitchen door swung shut, squeaking loudly.

Aurianna took my hand. “You look troubled.

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