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| Pyro Flowers by Katie Cresswell. Image found here: |
There was another dust storm, and
with near gale forces winds it was like being sandblasted. It pelted
against the tram windows. The other passengers were grim too, bowed
heads and sad faces. All except one. A woman with golden hair that
seemed to shine. She had a glorious smile on her face, she tapped her
delicate fingers on the seat in front.
Korvus was drawn to her. What was her
secret? Why smile when water was rationed to a few cupfuls a day.
Korvus had to find out. He sat next to
her. She didn't seem to notice him at all. Just carried on looking
out the window.
“Why so happy?”
“Why not, there's a lot to live for.”
“You're one of them rich folk aren't
you? One of those people who relish in showing off their water. I
heard yesterday that someone was keeping a gold fish. Can you imagine
that? A gold fish!”
“Gold fish are pretty.”
The girl leaned past him and pulled the
string for the bell. He breathed in an enchanting scent. Korvus was still two stops away from the hovel
he called a home.
The girl with the alluring smile hopped
off the tram. Seeming to take any hope for happiness with her. Caught
on a whim he chased after her and leaped off the tram as it got going
again. Using a scarf to protect himself from the worst of the wind he
looked for the girl.
The girl was already disappearing
around the corner of the next street. Korvus dashed after her. For
four blocks he followed her. Trying to catch up, to stop her, but she
was too fast.
At last they reached a back alley. The
girl in the yellow dress went down it. It looked a bit dodgy, but if
she wasn't afraid why should he be?
He walked halfway down and could not
find her at all. Maybe it was just a shortcut. Then he heard some
some clanging. He looked up. She was climbing up a ladder. Within
moments she was up on the roof.
Too late to turn back he went up after
her. Short of breath and dying for something to drink he stopped
climbing as soon as his head reached eye level with the roof. All
before him was a green garden. Stuffed with flowers, fruits and
vegetables. Not even the richest water hog could afford to raise so
much agriculture.
“Amazing, isn't it?”
“Sure is, and I wasn't stalking you
if you wanted to know.”
“I know,” she said with a smile.
He didn't know which was more
beautiful. Her or the garden. The garden was surrounded by other
buildings, protecting it from the worst of the winds.
“But how? Water is so scarce.”
“Let me show you.”
She beckoned him forward, deeper into
the dense garden. A horrible stench reached his nose. He gagged.
“Hey, what's that smell?”
There was no reply. Just laughter.
Korvus turned around. The lady in yellow didn't look so sweet
anymore. Vines were twirling around his feet and hands. Strong vines
he had no hope of breaking.
The lady stopped laughing abruptly.
“Did you know the average human being is 55%-75% water?”
Korvus couldn't reply. There was a vine
tightening itself around his neck.
“Oh well, a woman's work is never
done, I better getting going. I wouldn't want my little darlings to
go thirsty.”
The last thing Korvus saw was the
strange girl kissing a rose and sauntering off towards the ladder.
