Torch

Sari Colt

    The flame started slowly.  Then, in a matter of seconds the evening sky  lit up like a mini Fourth of July.  Will felt calm and peaceful.  His soul was at ease, once again.
     Fire had always attracted him.  He remembered staring at the tip of his father's burning cigarette in wonder.  There was something fascinating about it. Their house usually smelled of vanilla because of the scented candles his mother  lit to cover up the smell of the tobacco.
     Will wasn't afraid of fire, like most of the other kids were.  He could pass his hand through it and the pain didn't bother him at all.  Pain was a part of life. At least that's what his father would usually say after whipping him.
     He took another drag from his cigarette as he watched the flames. Will  had picked the one night when he knew that Joey and his folks would not be at home.  It was much easier that way.  Will flicked his ashes onto the ground and walked the mile back to his house.
     Later that night, Will stretched out on his bed and began to plan his next one.  Suddenly, an incredible idea entered his head.  It was time to put Carl and Shirley in their place.  Those two people that he called his parents.  Carl, with his two hour boring lectures about Will's grades, smoking, laziness, and  attitude.  Shirley, was no better, always siding with her husband.  She would just stand there silently while Carl beat the life out of him.  Will figured he'd be much better off without them.
     His clock chimed.  It was 12:00 am.  By this time tomorrow night, he would finally be free.  Blowing up the house was going to be great fun. Satisfied, Will drifted off into a deep sleep.