• November 6th. There is nothing special about this day for the rest of the world. Nothing shows up on calendars, planners, and the sort. You say thats the day you were born? Great for you. That does not effect a majority of the world. It was on this day that the biggest event of my life would take place. It was the day that I met a man named Yamir.

    I woke to the rays if the sun bursting through my too thin curtains. After several minutes of laying lazily in bed, I decided it was time to get up. I found myself slightly excited about what the day would hold. You see, a huge rain storm had just passed through a week ago and the woods behind my house was the most beautiful after a shower. After going through the basic human motions in the morning, I packed a bag with an extra pair of socks and a heavy jacket. On my way out, I stopped by the kitchen and added food and a couple of bottles of water. Then, it was off through the woods.

    The trail I was taking I knew well enough. It was the one my father and I used to take to what we called our secret annex. Why I can’t remember. In reality, it was a shack next to a lake. We would go there to fish, swim, hang out, quality father-daughter time. That was when he was around. Now, it’s all about work with them; my parents. I don’t mind much now that I am older but I can’t say I enjoy it. Hell, I’m lucky if they make time to call me. But that’s life. It has it’s ups and downs. I’ve learned to roll with most of the punches; the reasonable one.

    Once at the lake, I went over to a long log and sat down, placing my bag next to me. I found myself yearning for a dip in the tiny lake. Figuring that I could lay out in the warm sun directly overhead, I figured there would be no problem. Undressing into nothing but my undergarments, I ran over to a large boulder slightly in the lake and dove off of it into the pool of water. I expected to be hit with a chilling force but found it was a refreshing temperature. I didn’t worry about it for long though for I was much too comfortable. Usually, it would concern me for a time but not today. Today was a day of no worries, or was supposed to be.

    As I floated through the water, a noise came from in the overgrowth. Turning to look in that direction, I saw a young man, probably early twenties step out into the open. Initially, I smiled at him to show some sort of acknowledgment. It was not until I noticed that his smile was a little to big that I realized I was still in my bra and underwear. My face immediately grew a bright crimson red, y ears felt inflamed with embarrassment and rage as I began to thrash in the water. While I did so, I heard a very attractive laugh escape from the man. This didn’t help matters at all. The only thing that I could think of doing was hide behind a conveniently placed rock in the lake.

    “Don’t worry,” he huffed out, winded by laughter. “I won’t look. You can go and get your clothes on.”

    “Like I believe that,” I shouted back, the water becoming rapidly colder.

    “No, really. I promise. Scout’s honor. Though I’m not a scout. In any case, I won’t peek. I’m not interested in little girls. Look, I’m facing the trees.” He replied, almost fuly recovered form his laughing spell.

    Looking past the fact that he had insulted me, I didn’t trust him. Not in the least. But I didn’t have much of a choice now did I. The water was now suddenly a bone chilling cold and I wanted out. As quickly as I could, I hopped out of the water and ran to my supplies. I quickly wiped myself down with my t-shirt and yanked my pants on followed by the large, warm coat I had packed.

    “Okay,” I began hesitantly. “You can turn around now.”

    “You sure?” He asked, standing still. “You don’t want to run for it or anything?”

    “Well, when you put it that way. No.”

    “Okay then.” He spun fluidly on his heel to face me. It was the first time that I really looked at him and I was awestruck. There was no way this man was real. His hair was a long, light silver that was tied by a leather strap draped gently over his shoulder. He was fit with sharp, masculine features. The strongest thing was his eyes. They were two colors, one a warm gold color and the other an icy blue.

    “So, doll face, what brings you here?” he asked, stepping towards me.

    “Excuse me?: I questioned. “Doll face?”

    “Well, since I don’t know your name, I called you that by habit,” he replied cooly. I continued to look at him, crossing my arms across my chest.

    “Typically, this is where you tell me your name.”

    “Yeah, and?”

    “Okay...my name is Yamir and you are?”

    “None of your concern.”

    “I knew you were going to be difficult and all but not so soon,” He muttered to himself.

    “I guess I’ll be leaving now then. Bye.” I aid while quickly putting my socks and shoes on.

    Yamir seemed troubled as he approached me quickly and practically demanded, “Wait, you can’t go yet sweetheart. I need to talk to you.”

    “Goodbye doll face,” I replied, broad smiled as I pushed past him and began to walk away. He of course would not have me going so soon.

    “Will you slow down enough so that I can talk to you Safara?”

    I stopped dead in my tracks, stiff as a board, and without looking at him, asked, “How do you know my name?”

    “I’m sorry sugar? Your name?”

    “Don’t give me that crap. How the hell do you know my name? It’s not exactly common,” I asked, looking him dead in the eyes fiercely.

    He gave me a fake look of confusion and looked slightly uncomfortable. Right before he could respond with some phony a** answer , I threw my hands up in the air and sighed, “Forget it. It’s not important. We’ll just be going our separate ways now.” Without another word, I began walking again, faster then before.

    “Wait would you!” He demanded, starting to catch up to me again. I was not in the mood to deal with a stalker so I began to jog. When I looked back, I saw Yamir beginning to run after me. I ran, he sprinted, and then I began to sprint back, all the way down the trail and to my house. A hike that took an hour normally was cut in more then half.

    Once I had slammed the back door shut, locking the bolt, I slumped down, my breath coming in short gasps. I don’t think I have ever run that long at a time in my life.

    After the world had stopped spinning, I stood up only to see a strange man in my door way. No it was not Yamir. This time, t was what seemed to be a soldier, one that shouldn’t exist in this era. He said in a voice not nearly as attractive as Yamir’s, “I have orders from the king of Arov to bring you to the palace.”

    “God,” I pulled at my hair, annoyed. ‘Could this day become any more weird?”

    The soldier continued to stand in the door way, telling me, “Safara, you must come with me, if not willingly, then by force.”

    “Yeah.” I began, fuly recovered from my run. “Be attractive as that offer seems, I must decline. That, and I am calling the police.”

    “You leave me no choice. “He coldly replied. The soldier took a step towards me, drawing a strange weapon from his back, and began to come at me. I move out of his way, knowing it was the only real thing I could do. Looking where the thing had gone, I was happy I did for it had driven straight through my door.

    I glanced just in time to see Yamir hitting the armored creature, though it seemed to be a man, over the head with a shovel. Then, in what seemed to be a split second, Yamir was nest to me, gripping my arm and forcefully dragging me after him. I, having only two realistic choices to go with the one that wasn’t trying to kill me. Yet.

    We made out way back through the forest and t the lake. Once there, I was tossed into the shack, whose only exit was the entrance, which Yamir was blocking. Me, being myself, had to fight the urge to start hollering at him and ask as calmly as a normal person could, “What the hell is going on here. I want answers.”

    “I hoped to break this to you gently but now we really don’t have time. Your ancestors came from a land known only by Yamir. They held the rare talent of fire, now practically extinct in my world. You are one, if not the last of the blood with the gift of fire. The king of Arov has declared for all those with flame in their DNA to be murdered or sent to servitude. You are no exception.” He paused to see how I was taking it and to inhale.

    He must have seen something that told him I was following since Yamir continued on. “I saved you because I need you. An uprising is being planned to overthrow the tyrannic rulers. I was sent here to retrieve you and then the other five needed to overtake the royals. I ask you if you would please, please come with me to help my- our people.”

    I sat there, looking like a fish; eyes wide, mouth gaping, trying to find the words. Something in his eyes and his overall posture made me believe that he wasn’t joking. Still, the whole idea seems just too crazy. Then again, a soldiers was sent to gather me and ‘escort’ me to the King. But it could have been a man he hired. Why would he hire him though?

    My head began to spin as it went in circle after circle. Overwhelmed by the information given to me, I realized I hadn’t been breathing. I was to late to take a breath however as the world around me blacked out.