Burning Up Inside
Clarity Scifiroots
All
Character(s):
Josh, Joanie
Spoilers: season
1’s “The Crackpots and These Women”
Written for TWW100 Challenge 99—Heat
Disclaimers apply. Title
inspired by a Goo Goo Dolls song.
Summary: “You
were just a little boy, Josh. That’s what you’re supposed to do.” –
---
The smell that grew
stronger as he followed his sister carefully down the stairs made him choke
back bile rising in his throat.
“Breathe through your
mouth, it’s okay,” she told him, gripping his shoulder
tightly for a moment. He nodded and they continued downstairs.
He watched her tense
in surprise when they first felt the blast of heat from the kitchen.
“Oh,
God. Josh, get out of the
house!”
Scared, Josh ran for
the door.
He would never forget Joanie running into the kitchen—coughing noisily—or how the heat radiated from the flames already lapping at the walls.
~ * Fin * ~