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From the man that fell into hell
By Thomas Miller
The flames licked at my skin, scorching and blistering as I stood in front of the burning building. The heat was unbearable, threatening to consume me whole. But I couldn't move. I was rooted to the spot, transfixed by the inferno before me.
I looked around, my eyes searching for any sign of life. But all I could see were the dancing flames, devouring everything in their path. The crackling of the fire was deafening, drowning out any other sounds.
I tried to call out, to scream for help, but my throat was dry and raw from the smoke. My words came out as a hoarse whisper, barely audible above the roar of the flames.
I felt a surge of panic rising within me. How did I end up here? In this burning building, my own body engulfed in flames? I tried to remember, but my mind was blank. It was as if I had been thrust into this nightmare without warning.
As the fire continued to rage around me, I felt a sense of dread wash over me. Was this the end? Was I going to die here, burned alive?
The thought of death filled me with terror. I had always been afraid of dying, but the idea of burning to death was something else entirely. The pain, the agony... I couldn't even imagine it.
But as I stood there, helpless and trapped, I knew that I had no choice but to face it. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the inevitable.
But then, I heard a voice. A faint whisper, barely audible. I opened my eyes, searching for the source.
"Thomas..."
It was a woman's voice. Soft and gentle, it seemed to be coming from all around me.
"Thomas, you can't give up. You have to fight."
I looked around, but there was no one there. Just the burning building and the flames that surrounded me.
"Who are you?" I managed to croak out, my throat still raw.
"I am the voice within you. The one that you have been ignoring for so long."
I was confused. What was this voice talking about? Had I gone mad?
But then, I remembered. The thoughts and feelings that I had suppressed for so long. The fears and doubts that I refused to acknowledge.
"You cannot escape from yourself, Thomas. You must face the flames within."
As the voice spoke, I felt a surge of emotions welling up inside me. Fear, anger, sadness... They all came rushing to the surface, threatening to overwhelm me.
But I knew that I couldn't run from them anymore. This was my reckoning. The flames around me were not just physical, they were the manifestation of my own inner turmoil.
But how could I face them? How could I confront the demons that had haunted me for so long?
With a newfound determination, I took a step forward, towards the flames. The heat was intense, searing my skin and making it hard to breathe.
But I kept going, my eyes fixed on the heart of the fire. I could see something, a figure standing within the flames.
As I got closer, the figure became clearer. It was a woman, her body engulfed in flames just like mine. But unlike me, she seemed to be at peace.
"Welcome, Thomas," she said, her voice echoing in my mind.
"W-who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I am the keeper of the flames. The one who guides those who are brave enough to face them."
I looked at her, trying to make sense of what she was saying. Was she some kind of spirit? A guardian of the flames?
"Are you... Death?"
She shook her head, a sad smile on her face. "No, Thomas. I am not Death. I am merely a reflection of your own fears and desires."
I didn't understand. What did she mean by that?
"You see, Thomas, the flames are not just a punishment. They are a gateway. A portal to the other side."
"The other side?" I repeated, my mind racing.
"Yes. The flames will burn away all that holds you back, and you will emerge on the other side, reborn."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was this some sort of afterlife? Was I actually dead?
But then, I remembered the burning building, and the pain that I had felt. No, I was definitely still alive.
"Come, Thomas. Embrace the flames within you. Let them cleanse you and lead you to your true self."
Without hesitation, I stepped into the heart of the fire. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The pain was still there, but it was different. It was almost... freeing.
I closed my eyes, allowing the flames to consume me. And as I did, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. All the fears and doubts that had plagued me for so long were gone, replaced by a sense of peace and clarity.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The flames disappeared, leaving me standing in a new place.
I looked around, my eyes widening in wonder. I was no longer in front of the burning building. Instead, I was in a beautiful forest, with vibrant colors and a peaceful atmosphere.
I turned to the woman who had guided me here, but she was gone. I was alone, but I felt content.
I had faced the flames within, and I was reborn.