Discernment

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 A volatile explosion of inferno-type heat consumed the room. Shards of wood, debris that was once the house, and broken glass came flying to-ward me. It happened almost instantaneously. But when the explosion occurred, time appeared to move in slow motion. The plane hit right by the tree. The blast broke the tree in half, causing it to catch fire and fall right through the window. I threw myself to the floor to get out of the way of the oak tree that was about to crush me. It fell to my right, destroying an antique armoire in its path. 

The heat from the fire permeated the floor like the currents of the ocean. Fire and smoke encompassed me as I lay on the floor, unable to move or breathe. That’s when I felt some-one grab my arm. I turned to see something unnatural and grotesque. It had absolutely no hair on its body and its skin seemed to be melting off. It had no lips or cartilage where its nose should have been. I tried to free myself from its grip, but I felt more hands grabbing me—one by one gripping my shoulders, my hair, my other arm, my waist, and both of my legs. I realized the body of fire was filled with these creatures. They were desperately trying to free themselves from their torment.

My surroundings changed, yet again. It was no longer the bright, airy room it once was. Instead, the only light in the dark, cavernous dwelling was from the flames. The deafening sound of teeth grinding echoed in my ears and sent chills up my spine. I screamed, but it was no use. The sounds of the roaring flames and grinding teeth drowned out my cries for help.

I woke up coughing uncontrollably, now safely in my bed in the same position I was in on that bedroom floor. My body was hot and damp. My breathing was heavy and uneven. My throat even burned a little bit. I lay there wondering if I was really awake this time.