the family in the hearth

this scene comes right after the last, so there's not too much to tell. they all have fallen asleep at the end of the last scene and now start a new cycle of dreams. this one is a little more action, a little less love. :) read and enjoy!

We dreamt.
The car came to a stop in front of a familiar yellow house with white shutters. We climbed out and made our way across the yard, passing the little mound of dirt with a bouquet of wilting daisies laid across its head. We stopped where the grass of the backyard ended and the huge cornfield began to stretch itself into the distance. A breeze rustled the corn stalks, bending the stems away toward the sun. We held our breath, waiting. Finally, movement in the distance caught our attention. As we watched, something seemed to be passing through the corn not far from where we stood. Then, a figure rose into the air from the field and hovered above the plants. Marc floated on the wind, smiling down at us, his palms pointed out in front of him as if he were pushing away the air on which he was drifting. Dakota, he whispered.
The dream darkened. The air felt heavy and thick. I tried to breathe, but my lungs locked in my chest. I felt heat searing all around me. I could hear my name floating over a roar of crackling and hissing. I tried desperately to pull myself into consciousness, fighting through the smoke that now seared my throat. I tried to breathe, tried to cry out, but I was frozen. Dakota, Marc's voice broke through the noise, come back. My eyes shot open. All around me, fire licked angrily at the air. I could make out the back door to my left, but a huge piece of burning roof lay blocking the way. I turned toward the front door and saw that it was also blocked with burning wreckage. The moonlight filtering through the doorway and the woods outside allowed me to make out three figures pacing anxiously, staring at the flaming shack. I sighed with relief; at least they were out. Nothing else mattered, as long as they were safe. My family. I could make out Haylee's face against the darkness, lit by the flames, tears racing down her face as she bit her lip furiously.
"Haylee!" Peter screamed over the roaring of the flames. Marc ran over and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her viciously.
"Help her!" he sobbed. Peter pulled him away, restraining him.
Haylee turned toward the burning building and closed her eyes. My vision started to swim, I could feel my consciousness slipping away. I love you, I love you, I love you, I willed into the darkness. I stole one last look at Haylee. Her face was hard and determined. She stretched her arms out in front of her, palms up. Her eyes shot open and her face was fierce, her hair whipping around her head in the heat of the flames. First, the air cleared of smoke and I gasped desperately, filling my lungs. I watched in awe as the smoke raced through the night into Haylee's waiting hands. Then, she stepped forward and the fire raced into her palms, disappearing from the wood all around me. Fire, like bright yellow and orange snakes, slithered away from me on every surface. I jumped to my feet and watched as the last flame in the fire pit sped across the air and slipped beneath her skin. She smiled at me and her eyes closed. One second later, she fell to the ground.
I stumbled forward toward her but Peter got there first. Marc rushed forward and pulled my arm behind his neck, taking my weight.
"Is she alright?" I choked, my throat searing with pain.
"Yes," Peter said, feeling her pulse and watching her chest rise and fall, "she's alright."
"Dakota?" Marc called from far away, "Dakota?" But I was already gone, racing away into unconsciousness Through the heavy darkness I felt the car seat slide beneath me and heard the door close.
"I think we should sleep for a while," Marc called from somewhere nearby.
"Alright," Peter said, his voice worried. I heard the doors close and drifted away again. A long time later, when Peter finally closed his eyes, we dreamed.
We watched as the fire blazed through the forests and plains, consuming every life it touched. The trees smoked and crashed to the earth. The fields blackened and bent to the force of the racing flames. All life ran from the smoke until it couldn't run anymore and was lost. The fire consumed everything, unstoppable. Haylee's voice whispered through the smoke, Fire, know peace.
Flames raced through a village, lapping at the little homes. Screams filled the air and the sun was blotted out by the smoke. The fire knew no end, but consumed the village in its impossible hunger. In the wake of the fury, ashes and bones stood out glistening against the light of the flames. Fire, know peace, Haylee breathed, a sadness in her voice. The village rebuilt itself before our eyes. Children played in the streets, laughing and smiling. The fire was not gone, but now it crackled happily in the center of each home. There, Haylee stood beside it, watching over as the families warmed themselves and ate in peace beside the flames.
As it once was, so it will begin again.
Haylee reached her arm down gently, halting a little toddler who was wandering too close to the flames. She smiled and gathered him into her arms.
Hestia.