Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice!

Chapter 19

As we entered, I felt the heat of the flames scorching my skin. You could hear the cracking and popping of the wood beams as they burned along with other things in the building. You can smell the aroma of burnt rubber and what seems to be hickory from the wood. The sulfuric smell and smoke were burning my lungs and nose as we ran as fast as possible to try and find Micah. 

After running past the reception desk and along the corridor, we went into the front of the building. Above the desk, there was a sign that said orphanage. This must be the location where a young child was taken when his father passed away. 

The building echoed with screams from Micah who was calling us from upstairs and we could hear children screaming. We went dashing up into the room where the children must have slept there were beds lining everywhere, and the kids were hiding underneath them; they were terrified. 

At the other end of the hall was a large phoenix-like demon with firey feathers in the appearance and shape of a rooster. It was screaming and was flipping over the beds as if searching for something. 

Micah.. Beck. You get these kids out of here I'll deal with the demon; There is no time to argue. Micah, just got your power back. And Beck you will be able to protect the kids now show them out of here and - GO! 

Okay, understood (Micah and Beck shouted in unison) Okay, kids we are going to lead you down the stairs and out the doors. Keep your heads low to the ground and try to take slow easy breaths; stay close! 

After the previous battle when I was able to form my Sword, I was given a bracelet with a feather charm attached. This was used to conceal my sword If Ever I needed it. 

I ripped off the feather charm and shouted Soar Rising Crane as a bright purple glow illuminated the charm as it Formed into a long sword. 

Okay, bird beak you seemed to be looking for something earlier. Well, here I am shouting it at the top of my lungs as best as possible. I was trying to distract this monster from going after the kids. I picked up what looked to be a kid's softball and threw it at the demon-skeletal bird head. Thump!

It seemed to work, it turned its gaze at me and let out of screech as flames shot out toward me. Fast I rolled underneath one of the beds close by. 

Where on earth might I use this thing looking down at my long sword? It was too crowded, but I needed to divert its attention. Just as the bird demon was about to charge, I leaped out from beneath the bed, and it came crashing into three of the beds before they could fly across the room and smash into the wall. 

Yeah, I bet that felt great bird beak keep it up I taunted. This thing was out of control it was flinging fire everywhere. I was running out of oxygen fast pouring down and sweat. I had to make a move quickly. 

The creature raged with anger grabbed a bed with its beak and threw it towards me. I jumped to the side avoiding the bed and then realized as I looked back behind me that it was looking to trap me in the room. The door was closed off there was no way to exit now. Soon the building was going to collapse with me in it. 

I believe enough time has gone by that the kids should have made it out safely. I must come up with a plan B. The creature with his fixed gaze upon me knew that it had me trapped as it slowly crept towards me. Standing behind the demon was a window; I might be able to get out from there I thought to myself. However, I'm going to have to get through this creature first. 

My heart was pounding and racing out of my chest as I gripped my sword with both hands and ran at full speed. The creature attempted to Peck me with his beak. I dodged tucking under his enormous neck and slashing his wing. Sliding to my knees I cut him as deep as I possibly could. Barely touching the tips of his feathers the heat was intense. I got a burn on my shoulder as I lunged to the window jumping through it. I slammed my full body through it with all my strength. 

As the glass shattered through the air I could feel the cool breeze finally hit my face. I dropped down into a pool below. I didn't expect that I was just looking for an exit what good luck. The Phoenix-like demon screamed as it left out the window and flew off in another direction. I did some damage he could barely flap his wing. 

I got out of the pool and found Micah and Beck with the kids. At this point, the fire department had come along with the cops. All the kids were pretty shaken up except for one kid. He had both fear and surprise on his face as tears were falling. 

So it must have been you kid I said, as I put my hand on his shoulder. You started the fire, didn't you? 

Don't you think that you shouldn't be so hard on him he just went through a traumatic experience. We don't fully know if it was this kid or not; Beck scolded me. 

No, she's right I'm the one that set fire to the building he said looking down at the ground. I was trying to play a prank and make the alarms go off waking all the kids. I'm not sure what came over me I just thought maybe if I held a candle close to the fire alarm it would make it go off. I accidentally dropped the candle and it lit one of the curtains on fire. And out from the fire came this fiery monster. 

That's correct kid all your negative energy is attracting demons. I hate to put it to you bluntly but I heard suspicions about you stomping on that little girl's grave as well. 

Yes, cuz I'm angry with her family they got to go along with their lives while my father rotted in jail and abandoned me here at this orphanage. Not fair he was just defending his home and accidentally hurt her. 

No kid! Whoever gave you that story got it twisted the father was a gangster; doing all kinds of different illegal things. When the little girl "Ann" and her dad finally started making something of themselves. 

The cafe caused them to cross on the wrong path; when her father would not sell to your father. Your father sought to take vengeance by proving a point and shooting the daughter. 

His daughter was the only thing he had left his wife had died from giving birth to her. Your father took that all away from him. Why do you think your father was in jail he wasn't a good man and it was not an accident. 

I am sorry; I was simply trying to make a point and make a statement because I was tired of being alone and I never knew. Uncle spotted us and came rushing through to the front of the building as the police arrived and the crowds gathered around it. 

Are you girls okay? Did you get hurt anywhere? No Uncle Micah explained, the only one that got hurt was Kaysi she had a burn on her shoulder and a couple of cuts. She made sure to help us get out of the building. 

The kid explained to the police what had happened. They didn't believe him about the creature coming out of the fire. They said that he was probably hallucinating because he was scared. As they started to load him into the police vehicle he looked at us with sad eyes and cried back I'm sorry. 

Uncle walked over to the police officer, he was one of the local repeat customers that we had at the cafe. 

So what's going to happen to the kid uncle asked. 

Well since he's still a kid and this was an accident he'll probably go to court and they'll either keep him in jail until he ages out. But since he has nowhere to go they're going to have to find another orphanage. They said that he was not welcome there cause he'd been too much of a hassle. 

Thankfully the other kids have another location that they can go to but there is no hope for him. 

Let me take him in I'll make sure he goes to all his court appointments and pay back anything for all the damages. I'll even put him to work through community service until he's an adult. 

But sir do you think that's a good idea to give him a relationship with you and the history of this juvenile delinquent? 

I once was hurt by the death of someone I love. I know how angry and upset it made me even if I wanted to go and hurt somebody. Of course, I must know better. Also, I had people to guide me, love me, and help me get through the pain. 

I see if you're willing to take full responsibility for this boy follow us downtown to go out the necessary paperwork but you can most certainly foster him. 

Uncle Micah shouted I want to come with you hold up. Beck see to it that Kaysi gets to the hospital as soon as we're done I'll come and visit if you're not out yet. 

Just as a cop was starting to shut the door and Micah was heading out with her uncle the sky opened up and Rain began to pour down. It helped dissolve the last bit of the fire that the fire department was struggling to put out. 

There's a slight glow in the distance above the graveyard. Lightning struck and you could see look like the shape and outline of a small child. 

Everyone froze cuz we all could see this ghostly-like figure. She bowed as if to say thank you and waved just as her spirit faded off. I believe this is her Thanking us and saying goodbye. Maybe that's why she's stayed, she saw that evil spirit attached to the boy and wanted to protect him. 

Now everything will work out with Uncle taking the boy. Life all seemed to work in full Circle. 

Uncle smiled as tears came down his face, I could see him say as he whispered, goodbye my little angel.