Fire lapped at his ankles and the burning sensation grew so intense that he had no choice but to succumb to the sobbing of his joints.

           Thunder crashed in his heart. A flash of lightning had him wincing and choking on a cry far back in his throat. An abyss swallowed him and sent him shooting through a spiral of suffocation. A constant twirl around the fingers that were trapped firmly around his neck.

            “Boy, once you finish your homework come upstairs!” The boy froze but shouted out his response of understanding, returning to his homework, but taking extra careful that had him taking seconds to complete a letter. Each word was written precisely on the line, not passing even an inch or if it did he would erase and start again.