As the same moon beams from the sky
“You did good.” Jack'svoice says
As sitting up
I see the still unconscious redhead
Trial18: Domino
Locust sing as the night brings
Trial after trial – Ominous andtense
Gazing to the girl
What dreams will unfurl?
Decisions to be made – Time tohop off the fence
Locking eyes with Jack
Her smile soft
“We'll discuss it later.”She says
“I may not like her,
But the world needs her fire.
Well, don't just stand there.
Dive on into her head.”
Gazing into the smoke
I give a choke
Swallowing hard in my throat
With one hard look
Reading like a book
Surrounded by flames, I'm shook
Another pastel dream-like realm
The fire beautifully burns
Stepping through the flames
Again feeling pain
My stomach starts to churn
Muffled tones
The same as before
Getting closer to the flaming core
“You'll never amount to thefamily name!”
Screams a woman's voice vain
“You useless little brat! Do itagain!”
I see the child being blamed
A red headed little girl
Crying tears and curled
Into a sobbing ball
“I hate this place...
I hate her...”
Her past – What was and were
It's obvious her family, one of theprominent
High status among the rest
A name, their pride
Reputation tried
Fear of not being the best
A house of pompous entitled fools
Constantly losing their cool
At a child, who, no more than seven
Is expected to match her older brethren
The writhing voice of that wretchedwoman
It rings once again
“I should just disown you!
Your brother's far better.
At your age, accomplishing ten timeswhat you can!”
Looking back to the little girl
A teen boy approaching
Helping her up – Taking her hand
He gives her adequate coaching
The girl, now thirteen
Throwing fire as she beams
At a picture of her mother, clean
A knock on a door
He enters before
She even has time to speak
“I know she's a lot.” Hesays, voice fraught
With fear he sheds a tear
“I have an assignment.
My target's a giant.
It may take me a while.
Promise me that you'll be strong.
Promise me that you'll continue tosmile.”
The girl rushes him – Hugginglike a vice
Looking at their connection it must benice
Then the scene shifts
As the news hits
Her brother dead and gone
The mother crying
The girl trying
To hold back her shame
Once again shifting
The girl now lifting
The file with the name
Frost -Her target
The ultimatecriminal artist
That's why she's soobsessed
She thinks Jackkilled her brother
That weight bearingon her chest
As the scenes fade
Revealing a wall offlame
The little girlsobs beyond
This girl
She's suffered fartoo long
Parting the fire
My eyes gettingdryer
I have to rightthis wrong
Explain to her
That her reasonsoccur
To me to be strong
But Jack isinnocent
For once as acitizen
Her guilt of thisbeyond dissonant
Approaching thegirl
The fire swirls
Ever fiercer withher cries
“It's gonnabe ok.” I confidently claim
Reaching for her Itry
But the flamesbegin growing
Jumping in between
Blocking her fromme
I've got to thinkof another option
I must approach with caution
Stepping forward once again
“What's wrong?” I askcoming as a friend
She looks up as the flames begin toblend
“I hate it here.” She givesa sniff
Wiping her tears –
Her posture's rigid and stiff
“Oh yeah?” I reply
“Yeah.” She continues tocry
“I just wanna leave.”
“I completely understand.”Holding out my hand
“You wanna come with me?
I promise I'll take you far from here.
Where no one will ever hurt you.
Where you'll never have to fear.”
“You promise?” She asks
Taking her hand in my grasp
“I promise.” I say
And at those words the flames burn
And then they fade away
But not before
They adorn
The girl as they swirl
Expanding fast
Knocking me back
Back to the real world
Trial19: Uneasy alliance
Once again on my back
Reaching out her hand, stands Jack
“Mission accomplished.” Hertone loose with glee
“Now, let's get out of herebefore she wakes.”
Looking over to the O.D.'s sleepingbody I can't help but see
The mistreated girl who lost her world
My tone full of sorrow “We can'tjust leave.”
“What do you mean?” Jacksays terse
She catches my eyes looking to the girl
“I swear,” she says “Yourheart could bleed for the world
And still you'd never be satisfied.
If we get arrested and it's us againstthe world,
You're on your own.
You and this girl.”
“Thanks.” I mutter asbarely a sound
As finally she wakes
Her face embarrassed yet proud
Instantly, she jumps
Flames at her feet
Lunging and grabbing me
Our eyes finally meet
She glares at me, her face coloredcrimson
“You wanna do something thatmatters?” I say with conviction
“You're screwing with me?!”She snaps as flames spark
“What? You think I was gonna joinyou and her?
All because youhelped me out?
I'm an O.D.! I havea duty to uphold.
And the verythought of joining you criminals,
Truth be told,
Makes me sick down to my bones.
Now if you'll excuse me, you're underarrest!”
“Well,” I sigh “Inall honesty I didn't actually think you'd pass the test.”
“What?” She says jumpingback
“Looks like it's up to me andJack.
Though this might actually comein handy.”
I hold up the watch I just stole
She looks at me like we're five yearsold
“You!” She shouts “Givethat back now!”
“If I'm not mistaken,” Ismile “this is required...
It proves you're an O.D.”
Suddenly, she's throwing fire
With my sight it's as if it's in slowmotion
Dodging effortlessly, I hit her with anotion
“There's a kid, who because ofyou, was kidnapped by a Shade.
That kid now needs to be saved.
So again I ask,
Do you wanna do something that matters?
I'll give you back your watch and allyou have to do
Is swear to help us and see itthrough.”
“Why the hell would I ever...?”She barks
“She wasn't listening was she?”I ask Jack
“Nope.” Jack replies
“Because I know it's a trap!”The O.D. snaps
“If it was a trap,” I callback
“We've had at least five chancesto get you out of our hair
In the last five minutes to be fair.
I don't care much what you think of us,
But that kid gave me his trust.
I promised I would keep him safe.
Now he's gone and I'm here in thisplace
Asking you for help.
For that boy, not for myself.”
Dropping to all fours in front of thisgirl
Lowering my head
Forsaking my pride, my world
“I'll turn myself in after we'redone.
Just help me please.”
The O.D.'s tone with pity seethes
“Get the hell up off your knees.
If there's one thing I hate, it's acriminal with honor.
I can give you the benefit ofthe doubt,
But she's a goner.”
She glares at Jack
I can tell she's about to attack
Intervening I jump in and say
“She'll turn herself in as well.”
Jack retorts “Like hell.”
I give Jack a look
Her expression softens
“Fine.” Jack groans “I'vehad a good run.
Better than ending up as ashes in acoffin.”
“What exactly is
