Read Angel Fire for Free Online

coffee and get out.”
    Neil said to me, “Can I get you a cup?”
    “No,” I replied in a measured tone. “I’m fine.”
    With a half nod, Neil turned around and hunched over the coffee machine, searching for whitener.
    Barry never even glanced at Neil; he simply continued to stare at me, a twisted smile on his lips.
    Behind the counter, I clenched my fists at my sides and literally bit my tongue.
    Barry growled low in his throat. “Never thought you’d have the guts to show your face in town again.”
    “What’s past is past, Barry. We all have to move on.”
    My eyes can see.
    My tongue can taste.
    Barry cocked his head to the side, as if hearing my inner thoughts.
    “Maybe I don’t want to move on,” he said.
    My mouth can smile.
    My lungs can breathe.
    Barry leaned forward, his face ugly with anger. “What the hell are you whispering there?”
    Out loud, I said, “Back off, Barry, or I’ll report you.”
    Troy cackled. “Who’re you going to call, the sheriff? You hear that, Barry? She’s going to call your dad and tell on you.”
    Barry’s smile deepened. “Is that so, Darcy? You going to tattle on me?”
    “I’m warning you, Barry.”
    “That’s funny: you warning me. You know, it’s time we finished this. I would say, about ten years past due.”
    My heart can beat.
    Tendrils of smoke curled around the fingers of my balled hands while Frank and Troy continued to grin from ear to ear, obviously enjoying the confrontation. Some people just get off on conflict.
    “I don’t want any trouble, Barry,” I said, my voice tight.
    He growled. “Well, you should’ve thought of that before you tried to kill me.”
    Deep within me, I could feel the anger stirring. This was not the kind of personal information I wanted dredged up in front of anyone, least of all Neil, the new fire-chief-in-training. Never mind that I didn’t even know him, first impressions were lasting impressions, and the last thing I wanted was this kind of drama my first week home. I just wanted to put it all in the past and rebuild my life. Some people, however, just couldn’t let go of old wounds.
    My heart can beat. Wait. I said that one already. My stomach can digest…
    The mix of anger and embarrassment I felt threatened to make me lose control; and that was not something I could afford to do.
    My legs can—
    “But like the stupid idiot you are,” Barry continued, “you ended up killing your own parents!”
    I felt the burning in my hands, but I couldn’t stop it.
    I yelled, “I wish it was you in the cemetery, you sick bastard!”
    Barry roared in anger. “Bitch!” He lunged at me, hands outstretched.
    Reacting without thinking, I grabbed his wrists before his meaty paws could find my throat.
    My hands shook with the effort to hold him off, and also from another kind of exertion. A kind of energy swelled inside me. It wanted out.
    At first, Barry was so outraged, he didn’t feel anything, but as black smoke began to billow out from between my hands and his arms, Barry’s rage quickly turned to surprise and then fear.
    “What the hell?” he yelled.
    I could smell his flesh burning.
    Barry screamed, and jerked his arms back, but the power inside me had taken control and I could not let go of him.
    Control!
    I had to regain control! I had to finish the mantra properly.
    My heart can beat.
    I couldn’t let it out.
    My stomach can digest.
    But Barry’s shrieking ruined my concentration.
    My legs can walk!
    No! I had kept it contained for so long, I was not going to falter now.
    My body is calm!
    I forced myself to focus on my hands, release my fingers.
    I AM IN CONTROL!
    With excruciating effort, I let go of Barry’s wrists, but it was too late. His sleeves were on fire.
    “Aaagh!” he screamed. The look on his face was a cross between rage, shock and panic. Waving his arms around like a startled chicken trying to fly, he only made it worse. Frank threw what was left of his beer on Barry, and it was only then