A fresh, spring wind blew gently across the beach, cooling Edith and stirring the flames of the fiery being before her.

The man, or creature, paused, water swirling around his feet. Edith watched, frozen as she fought the fear pounding on her heart and took a breath. Flames reached for her and she turned and ran down the beach, heading to a rotten, broken dock.

Edith knew she was being followed. As she jumped up on the creaking boards of the dock, Edith suddenly stopped, ...