we didn't start the [FIRE IN ABAVEN]

”Noir, come on! Someone might need our help.” Poem pleaded with her half brother as he lay under the shade of the maple tree that was their father’s den. She had found him after she had heard Rhyme’s call. She’d never seen fire before, but the warning in her father’s voice had made her fur stand on end. Normally the girl would avoid Noir, he made it clear that he did not like her and she wasn’t about to give him a reason to show her why. However, he was big and could potentially be of use in this kind of situation. She was already thinking like a leader, now if only she could figure out how to get Noir to do as she asked.

He glared at her, obviously not interested in moving. She didn’t want to beg, and stared him down with an intensity she didn’t know she had. Their eyes were locked for a long moment before Noir seemed to relent. Poem felt a sense of relief wash over her as he stood. She smiled genuinely at him as thanks and started to lead the way towards the thicket.

They were fast, both of them taking their height from their father their strides long. Noir was bigger though, and overtook Poem as they got closer. She could see the flames now, bright flecks of light and smoke against the dark of the clouds. Her eyes widened in awe and she was forced to pause as she watched the flames grow closer. She’d lost track of Noir by now, but her mind was solely on the flames.

That was her mistake. She didn’t see him, but she felt him as she suddenly went tumbling towards the flame. Poem called out in alarm as she rolled through the burned grass. The heat was intense and she felt like she couldn’t breath when she finally stopped rolling. Permanent damage would have taken place had she not tumbled into the rapids.

Adrenaline raced through her veins as she tried to regain her feet. She suppressed the scream that bubbled up in her chest as her head was thrust above the water. Poem gasped for breath as she looked around for Noir. He was gone. She didn’t have time to think about what had just happened as her gaze fell on Eulogy not so far away. She was bleeding from her head and barely moving. Poem’s eyes widened as she raced to her side. She would gently lick at her aunt’s wounds, trying to comfort her and help in some way. ”Auntie?” She whispered softly, afraid she was too late.