I walked down the ragged street, the one no one dares to bother. I needed some time alone after what had happened back at the house with my drunk father.

It wasn’t one of those dark nights from the movies. It was a bright and clear day when it struck.

I walked along,minding my own business. The afternoon rays tickled my skin.

They might have tickled them a bit too much, as I realize that later.

I passed the only house anybody dared to live in. He practically owned the entire street.

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I paused a moment to gaze at the large, dark house. Although it was very sunny, the house cast a large shadow and gloom.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shutter open and a shadow in the window.

He saw me.

I hurried away in the same direction I was walking before.

I heard a shout behind me. I ignored it.

I started to hurry at a faster pace.

I felt my skin tingle a little harder than before.

Harder still as I walked.

I looked down. My skin was starting to darken. It continued to darken as I watched. Then it flaked.

Layer after layer of skin flaked away.

My clothing dissolved just like my skin.

I started to see pink char black. I smelled an odor of smoke.

My nerves processed this all, and I began screaming as the burn finally processed.

I folded over myself onto the ground, having lost all feeling in my legs.

I couldn’t bear the pain.

It did stop.

I just didn’t know when.