The Fire of Life: Fiery Soul

Content Warning

This work of fiction has depictions of abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, bigotry/homomisia, and extreme violence/hate crimes. Content didn’t have them as shock value and treated as the evils that they are.

I want to thank my friends and my family for helping me on this journey. The story is much better because of the support.

Contents

Content Warning

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Thank you For Reading

Preview Chapter of Book 2

About the Author

Acknowledgement

Prologue

The calm and breathless beauty of the forest in the backlot of a college campus stays eerily quiet. The area prepares for a grand overture to open for a nightly performance. The scene sets with the critters appearing in the Virginian night scene with only the moonlight shining down on the symphony of crickets' chirping and rustling leaves. A peaceful soundscape slowly flows up in volume with a soft patter giving a new rhythm for the creatures to divide into their own tones for the casual nocturnal audience.

Suddenly, an out-of-place snap of leaves and branches breaking follows a woman frantically rushing off-path to escape four fit men chase her in battle dress uniforms (BDUs) and balaclavas. While jogging brings serenity to Emily's everyday pressures of life and a sports scholarship, the tone and tempo are different with the grunt and groans with fear in her heart.

Life flashes through her eyes with the distraught feeling of the cataclysmic death of her parents and the sorrows of foster care. College provides her with hope for something more such as the life of her own, good sex, and even a kid. The moment breaks when the rumble of men shouting grows louder. Despite their efforts, her college track training helps keep a distance from the attackers.

Appearing from the shadows of the forest, the moonlight provides a proper glimpse of Emily, who's an attractive brunette with reasonably flawless, if slightly tanned, skin. Her training shows in her curves, which appeals to a more humanoid audience. The skin tightens when she panics after bullets ring out, and she picks up the pace. When she glances behind her, two men are missing.

The scenery changes as they venture deeper into the woods where darkness surrounds them again. Out of nowhere, the two missing men leap out on her flank and tackle her to the ground, while the other two catches up to secure her.

As Emily struggles, the ground violently rumbles with a demonic roar echoing through the forest. Everyone panics at the quakes of the earth, but she manages to escape and sprint up the hill away from the men. Once out of sight, the shocks quell, and the men regain their wits.

She's heading your way, one of man says over the subvocal mic.

She finally makes it to a calm five-acre clearing and works on catching her breath. However, panic sets in when dirt roads aren't visible to her and the rustling gets louder from the men in the woods. Shrieks of terror flood the mind when she turns to see an ominous van that stalked her over the last few weeks. Her body sinks to its knees when the ground wakes with another demonic roar ripping through the forest. The ground cracks with lava seeping out around her as a single teardrop falls down her face upon listening to the horrific screams against a ruby glow.

A dart flies in and embeds into Emily's neck causing her to fall to the ground with a soft thump. The quakes end and the lava cools to igneous rocks with a sizzling tone permeating the air. The source of the tranquilizer dart marches forward with a rifle with an overweight body making a hard thud with each step. Ben Macy inspects his prey like an old sportsman, but a grunt of dissatisfaction leaves his lips when he picks up his radio.

Alpha squad, report in! he yells into the radio before hearing only static. You'll pay, freak!

Ben stares in shock when her skin turns to stone. He roughly kicks her and groans after stubbing his toe, but her body still rolls fluidly like a human being. Without any respect for Emily, he drags her to the van with the grass and rocks cutting into the jogging outfit before tossing her in, which the hard crash sets off the alarm. After he enters the vehicle, they storm away from the scene.

Away from the clearing is a scalding death zone where there was a peaceful and quiet forest. Scorched trees, sizzling igneous rocks, and smoldering men with ashes blowing away populate the scene while a dark figure walks along the path. The glimmering gold eyes partially illuminate the face, which shows bestial features of horns and razor-sharp teeth. One hand swipe sends a blistering light around the area.

Then, the woods changes back to the peaceful nightscape. No signs of the men or their weapons appear on the ground. The night critters return to their routine serenade as if nothing had happened. The only thing left is the dark figure, who quietly submerges into the shadows.

Chapter 1

Oakland Institute stands as the academic heart of Oakland Township. When parents wanted their children away from alcohol, drugs, and sin in college during the 80s, real-estate developer Synchro Enterprises and retail/hotel giant Minerva Ltd discovered a business opportunity and built a private college to capitalize on it. Their collective business model for the institute focuses on proper moral behavior and academic excellence, while a planned community supports that heart with businesses and residents.

Three prominent campus buildings and a parking lot surround a courtyard of lush grass and oak tree. The latter area serves as the social nervous system with students piling in with their luggage. While they abide by a business casual or modest casual dress code, the conversations are warm and light, which balances out the potential stuffiness.

An outlier swims through the crowd toward the bench. Unlike the social butterflies that flutter around, Briana Connell, a week shy of her nineteenth birthday, awkwardly wades through as her long red mane blows in the wind. She straightens her blouse after she sits and itches the black leggings under the plaid skirt. Her ocean blue eyes peer out to the crowd before focusing on a book. Although the crowd floats along and ignores her, she couldn’t help feeling something is off. She shakes her head and returns to her book.

In the shadows of a small corner, a Romanian man stands with his smartphone to his ear. Andrei studies Briana as he licks his lips before the phone buzzes in his hand, and he groans.

Seriously, Lily?

I need you to focus on people, and not look at them like lamb chops, a feminine voice teases him on the other end. Do you see her or not?

Andrei grunts as he looks at the phone with displeasure and glances at Briana again. 

Yes, I've got eyes on her.

The voice echoes an Eastern European origin but stays muffled to limit the audience to one. Awaiting the next command, he fidgets in his clothes. While the summers are mild, the button-down shirt feels like more of a nuisance.

Whose idea was it for these clothes?

Andrei tears the shirt off, which reveals a wet and tight t-shirt. There are a few scoffs at the defiance, but more admire the physique straight out of a renaissance sculptor’s shop. The art piece shows a six-foot Adonis, whose long black hair contrast the pale skin and a white t-shirt. Young ladies and their parents clutch their pearls at the sight before he turns his attention to the phone.

What is going on? Lily asks with concern.

Oh, people bitching because I took my shirt off, he moans into the phone.

I sent you there to observe, which means not drawing attention to yourself! Lily scolds with an underlying playful tone.

The shirt was itchy!

Andrei leans against the wall as a female student glances at him with interest, but a parent rushes her along. He chuckles as he gazes at Briana.

So, do you see him? Lily asks with nervousness, which causes Andrei to look around the courtyard.

No, Andrei groans as he walks to the parking lot. As fresh faces appear in the parking area, Andrei scouts from the outskirts to avoid people. So far, none match the picture on his phone, which only gives a face with unkempt hair.

Just outside the parking lot, Eric Roberts sits in the back of his father’s BMW 4 Series Coupe but feels sore as the front seat collides with his knees. To add to the torment, John, and Mary, his parents, continue to smoke, which tests Eric’s gag reflex. When Oakland Institute appears outside the window, a choir of angels sings Hallelujah, but his father abruptly swerves into a parking spot so that Eric slams against the door.

After leaving the car and stretching out his long and lean swimmer body, the campus beckons him close with strong energies around the place. While he felt it last year as a freshman, this year ladies add to it with checking out his muscular body. Despite the fair skin, he is a picture of health, which captures their imagination. From a distance, Andrei zooms in with his camera to confirm it’s Eric, and head towards the courtyard to make sure Briana stays there. Plans are in motion that he isn’t going to try to understand.

As Eric lugs his footlocker out of the trunk, John rushes up and messes with his son’ unkempt hair like a brute. While the young man resembles an accidental punk rocker on a good day, his hefty father wears an immaculate suit with his gray hair slicked back. Mary stands silently in the background in a simple dress. Once his father finishes, he steps back to see the college.

Remember, focus on 4.0 and LSAT preps!

Although he heard him, the returning friends capture the young man’s attention instead. Despite his father’s aspirations, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a political science degree suits the swimmer better, but his father disagrees by smacking him up the head.

Geez, Dad, Eric complains. Law school is in three years.

The atmosphere turns cold with dread as John’s murderous stare descends on him, which feels like the tremor before a mighty eruption. However, too many witnesses in the parking lot stave off the explosion since it would melt the facade of upstanding citizens.

Obey me or else! John whispers.

The tremor mellows out when the parents enter the car, but a final aftershock of screaming tires echoes the threat into Eric’s mind.

Fuck you.

Eric tries to shrug off the thick coats of venom on his way towards the campus while he ponders his other prospects. While he had acceptance from Georgetown with a sport and academic scholarship, things weren’t so bad at this institute. Despite his father’s power play by insisting on going to this school, two friends attend this school, and the swim coach is a decent person. As groups of people laugh, the place is the opposite of his parents’ dream, which is a vicious dungeon to break his spirit. So, while not his dream school, he can deal with it.

A deep breath brings in the familiar aroma that fills the senses and captures the imagination once again. The careful blend of nature and civilization produces a little energy in his step, but one scent seems new. A faint yet alluring aroma draws him to something.

Although he chides himself for the illogical following of the scent, the mystery of the source bedazzles him since no passersby match it. A strange compulsion swells deep within and drives him to a bench where the sweet scent emanates from a young woman studying. On closer study, the subtle beauty’s generous wave of red locks flows in the wind, but something unseen captures the attention as well. Then their equally sparkling ocean blue eyes meet and draw him into her presence as if no one on campus even matters.

The intensity sends a subtle shock wave towards Andrei, who sees two people who never met sharing an intense connection. The link breaks when Bria’s eyes roll, and Andrei sets himself on a collision course with the stumbling young man. Two men collide, and Andrei scowls when Eric falls ungracefully to the ground.

Watch it! Andrei spews out.

The embarrassment of such a clumsy move rattles through Eric’s mind while assessing the Romanian’s tone. While not as aggressive as others, a dark aura that surrounds him projects vicious and base emotions towards Eric. The sight horrifies the sophomore, but psychiatrists inadvertently taught him to shut up about this after tons of numbing medications. Therefore, he just composes himself to address the situation.

Sorry, I'm a space cadet today.

His defeat completes when the Romanian rolls his eyes, and the young woman shakes her head, which signals his retreat to the Synchro Enterprises building. The namesake male dorm carries the corporate sponsorship as well as the conservative policies. Andrei watches as Eric enters the building while he talks on the phone.

Idiot boy is here.

We’ve talked about this, Andrei!

Lily, he scowls at her, but then an abrupt silence fell over the other end, and that drives him insane enough to hang up and walk towards the dorms.

A short, athletic female jogs past the Minerva Ltd sign, which houses the female population. After tying her long blonde mane into a ponytail, more of her peach color skin presents itself to the sun through a modest dress, which also shows off her toned muscles. After spotting Briana, the bouncy blonde runs up to her.

You're my roommate Briana, right?

The cheerful tone announces her presence to the entire world, which causes Briana to crumble in shyness. A fierce and energetic woman stands before her, and the redhead doesn’t know how to answer except for a nod. The blonde just jumps and sits next to her.

You rushed out before I could greet you.

Thus far, no danger echoes off this charming stranger, whose tone ensures Briana that her intentions are pure. So, she smiles and puts the books to the side.

I prefer Bria, and I needed air.

Instead of the expected backlash, the young woman beside Bria just smiles and enjoys the majestic view of the courtyard. In the short span that the redhead roams the halls, a variety of personalities appear from tenants, but a bitchy aura appears above quite a few of them. Not this sweet young woman beside Bria.

Well, Bria, you're in luck. she giggles and looks around. There is a certain beauty about oaks that gets me misty, which isn’t allergies.

Laughter arises from the redhead as she enjoys the company. Although the courtyard is bustling with activity, the nervousness from what she saw in the dorm traps her to the bench in fear of rejection, but the gentle soul next to her makes her feel like she won the lottery. A moment later, redness flushes across the blonde’s cheeks before turning towards Bria.

Gosh, I didn't introduce myself, she says with a chuckle. I'm Rebecca.

Two hands meet in a polite handshake before the attention returns to the crowd.

So, how’s the local population treating you?

Bria looks as she stares around the courtyard before shrugging.

All right, I suppose, but would be better if people stop leering at me.

Rebecca bounces up to her feet and smiles.

Well, we’re off to the Anti-Leer Cave!

Rebecca’s dramatic pose towards the Minerva Ltd. building causes Bria to giggle harder as she stands up with her stuff. Approaching the dorm, a few wolf whistles permeate the air, and the redhead closes in on Rebecca to avoid such attention.

IN A SPACIOUS FOYER that resembles a Hilton property with a beautiful polished look, a stream of male students flows along towards the reception desk that holds a sign-in sheet and keycards. Modern technology digitally controls the building, but an anachronism that is Derrick Sparrow haunts the halls like a less cool Saruman with short gray hair and a ratty suit. With each glare of disdain at students, the rumors of his fall from grace increases in validity and people like Eric suffer the consequences of those tales. Suddenly, he breaches the young man’s personal space with the smell of cheap whiskey on his breath.

Curfew is 10:00 p.m. without a pass! 

Despite the usual attitude, the target of the vendetta rests on Eric for a reason he doesn’t understand. Last year, Sam had to escort him because of a keycard failure and the dorm master delayed replacing it. The obsession about rules not even in the handbook feels like a justification for bullying rather than keeping order. Therefore, Eric plans to grab his keycard and remain out of this man’s sight.

However, the sheet shows him booked with Neil Patrick, which causes Eric to double check after expecting Sam. There is little time to reflect with the glowering stare of fury from the dorm master burning holes into the young man’s back. After signing in and grabbing the keycard 14, Eric moves away but doesn’t escape the targeting of Derrick.

And no ladies overnight!

With the perfect acoustics of the foyer, every student hears those words and stares at Eric with suspicion. He gulps and walks through the twilight zone into a hallway that looks like a detention center with wooden doors. The grand foyer traps non-alumni parents with the ritzy appearances at receptions; a profit tactic encouraging patronage to ensure the comfort of the students. The transition between the entrance and hallway often leaves the student scared that their parents sent them to a secret prison, which doesn’t change much when they enter the rooms.

The room resembles a boot camp with two basic twin beds on either side of the small bookcase. The gray walls fit the theme of a prison, but a kitchenette stands out from that belief. An MVP trophy for Neil Patrick on one of the dressers stands out in the room.

The legend of Neil Patrick swarms the halls after saving the football program two seasons in a row as a starting quarterback. However, Eric has a little trouble understanding how a team sport relies on a single individual to win games. Even in swimming, a relay needs a team effort for winning.

However, a strange Victorian style chest near one of the beds stands out even more than the trophy. Between the style and the crest of demon wings and a circle with summer and winter representation, the trunk fit more into a civil war reenactment than a dorm room. So, he wonders if his new roommate living up to his father’s expectations like he is, or just appreciates older things.

The opening and closing of the door interrupt Eric’s examination and thoughts. A man about his height jogs into the kitchenette, wearing only a towel. The wet skin shows off the lean muscles and the tousled hair from a shower. Eric places him as Neil, but he doesn’t know much else, other than the legend since he never followed football.

Neil pours a coffee as he bops to the beat of an invisible drum. He looks up at Eric and grins.

You must be my new roomy.

The way Neil speaks feels like each word had its own beat. Like sheet music telling singers what note to sing a lyric, his words echo out the same way. Even with charm and suave added, it still feels like he purposely spoke.

Neil doesn’t give him long to awkwardly stand and process before he holds his hand out. As Eric didn’t grow up in a cave, he walks up to clasp the offering of a cordial relationship.

Eric.

Neil, he speaks with confidence.

His words march purposely towards Eric's ears, who couldn’t help but stare at Neil for a few moments. Something about the way he said it forces his attention on the quarterback. However, the trance breaks when the brash football star whips the towel off and forces his roommate to get a brief glimpse of his well-endowed features. Eric turns away suddenly and awkwardly stares around the room.

Where's Sam? Eric asks curiously.

Between the parking lot and the dorm room, he noticed his friend was missing. Additionally, the keycard sheet didn't show his name as well. He turns to look at his roommate for an answer, and thankfully, he has jeans on. However, Neil just shrugs before returning to his coffee without any further fanfare.

Problem?

Eric doesn’t know how to respond because of the indifferent response, so he just shakes his head and sits on the bed. He looks at Neil and does the only thing he can to change the subject.

Aren’t you a junior?

Eric suddenly regrets asking as great lawyers don’t say the absolute obvious.

My former roommate got expelled for pantiraiditus, Neil says before he laughs as Eric tries to think of the last term. Got caught in the ladies' locker room, which is a desperate move to get some action around here.

The fact doesn’t sink into Eric's head until he says pantiraiditus slowly under his breath, which causes him to lower his head at the lewd acts. However, the end of the remark also hits the sophomore due to the focus on carnal action rather than academics. However, Eric tries to be nice, and not make an awkward situation with his new roommate, so he decides to shift his thoughts into another dialog.

Trying to give him an Affluenza type excuse?

The excuse weighs heavily on Eric’s mind since his parents are well off, but he knows right from wrong. The fact that irresponsible people use money as a legal defense disturbs the young man’s sense of justice, but Neil just shrugs at it.

Not a problem anymore, and would like some coffee?

Eric shakes his head.

No, it screws up my training, Eric speaks out quickly. And yes, I'm weird because of it.

It’s almost standard practice for swimmers to start an early morning practice with a cup of coffee. However, an allergy test confirmed sensitivity to caffeine, which results in him weakening and fainting. However, he doesn’t want to admit to that mysterious medical ailment.

What sport?

Swimming, Eric replies but sees Neil trying to recall something before snapping his fingers.

Now I know why you're familiar, Neil chuckles. You broke a lot of school records, so you are da man like me in our competitions.

School records matter little to Eric since his goal is to swim the best he can. While marketers try to label him as the next Michael Phelps, he just wants to swim and be one with the water, but he isn’t oblivious to the external belief of his athletic value. As abrupt as Neil’s praise was, the sudden shift in the quarterback’s body language sends his roommate into a whiplash.

No interrupting me when I’m gracing honeys with my awesome, he says with such smoothness like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I'll do the same for you, dude.

Eric left the point of arguing in the parking lot. Despite the attraction to the redhead in the courtyard, the goal is to survive a semester at a time, which doesn’t include impressing people with his whatever. Turning back to unpacking, the quarterback stalks him like a predator, which unnerves Eric in an instant. However, a bit of it also feels like a measuring contest before Neil laughs and slaps Eric on the shoulders.

All right, I'll be your wingman, just so you loosen up, man.

The statement almost feels like Neil pitches a fastball in Eric’s direction, which the sophomore tries to hit with a response.

Fine, I'll streak if you get me a date, he quips sarcastically.

Eric went for witty and struck out of the game. Neil laughs and pats Eric on the shoulder again.

Deal, Neil speaks before heading towards the kitchenette to finish his coffee.

Eric caught the pitying tone from Neil, but the attempt to deal with insecurity fails miserably. The flawless delivery made Eric feel that he failed a tackle while Neil tosses a perfect touchdown. This smooth-talking roommate charms an entourage of ladies, which the swimmer can’t hope to try. Eric doesn’t know what to think about Neil, or why he’s gotten these feelings coming up. He just wants to get through the day.

AS AN OPPOSITE OF BOOT camp, Minerva Ltd. building resembles a beautiful four-star hotel. The organization applied its hotel expertise to give comfort and an exquisite finish despite the lack of space. The reputable company subsidizes the refinements to offer an excellent studying environment so they can achieve tenant’s satisfaction.

As Bria unpacks her bags, the choice of clothes versus the refinements in the room worry her. While the clothes were decent, they aren’t designer labels like some ladies in the hall wear, which generates the fear that they will tease Bria about not belonging. Before coming to the United States, she was homeless and depended on strangers for kindness. Despite completing her pre-University education, there were rarely high marks since surviving the cold streets of Dublin left little time for studying. A mysterious scholarship she never applied for is the only way she affords this institution. One close look into Bria might cause bullying, which she’d rather brave the frozen wastes than that.

However, a beam of sunshine radiates from Rebecca, who’s putting on a tracksuit over swimwear. Although the cut and material were not of the Wal-Mart variety, that doesn’t stop the jubilant blonde from being a kind roommate. Some attitudes in the hall don’t reflect from Rebecca, which Bria feels fortunate about. However, insecurities are the last thing she wants her new roommate to see, so she comes up with a brilliant deflection strategy.

Going out?

Rebecca bops over to her bed and crashes on the cushions before reaching for her sneakers. Bria giggles at how bubbly her roommate is.

Training for the swim season. Rebecca ties the sneakers up and stands up to stretch. I jog before practice.

Bria stops unpacking and sits down on her bed. It feels far more comfortable than she’s used to. After time in foster care with some family who didn’t prioritize ensuring comfort, the warmth of the blankets feels like a blessing. After she escaped from foster care, the best she could ever find was a worn-out mattress, so the firmness of the one in the dorm rooms catches her by surprise. On top of that, her roommate makes her feel at home, which is a rarity lately.

Therefore, there are things that Bria wants to hide from even Rebecca due to a horrible shame that exists in her past. The scandal would change the feeling of her, so she tries to slip through the cracks of conversations the best she can. She looks up at her fit friend and ponders something a little more distracting.

Do all boys act like pigs here?

Despite the seriousness of the question, the young blonde erupts in laughter before taking a seat next Bria.

Well, I'll put it like this, Bria, the blonde says, putting on a solemn face. The campus is like a hamburger with bits of everything unevenly distributed.

Bria bursts out laughing at the description as Rebecca gives a shit-eating grin.

So, you have your nice guys, obnoxious assholes, sleazy scum, total bitches, and quite a few others blended into this little paradise, she elaborates. Fortunately for you, I am the one of a kind, peppy roommate.

The blonde gets up and puts her track jacket on and thinks of something.

You know, I should introduce you to my friend, Eric, she says as she zips the jacket up. He's quirky but nice.

Bria smiles as she stands up.

Not now as I have to get ready for work. Bria smiles before turning to her suitcase. Have a nice swim.

Although worried that Rebecca would react to the admission of working to cover expenses, the gavel of judgment doesn’t strike, and she smiles at Bria her with a sweet demeanor, which made her feel better.

Feel welcome to anything in the kitchenette, Rebecca generously smiles before heading out the door.

The pleasantness of her roommate makes Bria ponder about how she’ll deal with everything. Opening to people have been difficult for a long time, but there is a ray of hope with Rebecca. However, skepticism kicks in, since hope often turns into despair when people find out the whole truth about her. Therefore, surviving the semester and hiding is more paramount than making friends.

Survive the semester, she mumbles to herself before continuing to put clothes away.

Chapter 2

Griffin Hospital used to be a premier medical facility in Franklin County, but the First Aid Butcher massacre led to its ultimate downfall. Despite the condemned status, Ben’s new benefactor forces him to work here where he gingerly walks down the halls checking the generators and portable lamps. The floor creaks loudly as he grumbles along.

The only bright spot in such a desolate area is Xenobiologist Aida Ruescher, but even she questions the suitability of the field for professional research. A healthy fair-skinned woman in professional research attire shows a severe contrast towards the mucky appearance of Ben in filthy BDUs. The only redeeming quality of the job is Emily’s abilities, which piques her interests to new levels.

However, Ben’s foul mood spreads like wildfire as he