Estrella

I float for a long time in darkness. Not exactly here or absent. Not exactly comfortable or in pain. Not very much at all.

Then, my whole body flames back to screaming, torturous life at once. I am the heart of an inferno, consuming everything that I am to produce the flame. A hoarse, ragged scream tears from my throat. I lurch forward, trying to curl in on myself.

Something restrains me. I lash out, swinging wildly, and someone catches my ...