I was out of breath when I kneeled in the foot tall grass trying to regain my composure. Justin sat down next to me and sprawled his legs out, creating a space for his duffle bag. He struggled to unzip it. His face was covered in soot, I figured mine was too, so I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. “Are you okay?” I questioned his strength when he fell backwards and closed his eyes. He didn’t answer me. I took his bag and retrieved the water he was trying to get. “Save me some.” I could faintly hear his voice. The sound of emergency vehicles travelled all the way to our location. “Do you think they’ll find us?” I was a little concerned.
“I doubt it.” He was never totally honest with me, attempting to minimize my anxiety though it seldom worked. I only trusted him sometimes and others; never. Once rehydrated, we both sat with our knees pulled up under our chins. “Wow.” I whispered. The city was a magnificent amber. The pellets of burning dust appeared brightly against the dark night sky. I was sure it was raining gold. Some of the buildings succumbed to the fire, others stood more masculine and immovable. The tiny hairs on my arms stood at attention above the chill bumps on my fair skin.
“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” He stood up, reaching his hand out to help me to an upright position. “Yes, it is.” I didn’t know what else to say. I wanted to thank him, but words couldn’t express my gratitude. Our fingers entwined as we walked closer to the deliberate, newfound, earthly hell. “What about here? Is this close enough?” I nodded in agreeance.
He retrieved my canvas and paints. “Create, my love, create.” My desire was to capture the uncanny. He gave that to me.
Leesa Writes 