“A team doesn't become a team without hardship. The storm comes before the air clears and a solid path can followed.”

A stranger to WISDOM

David watched Aiden from the doorway, he was like everyone in his friend group they were all consuming enough calories to power a small town and they were drinking through what seems like gallons of sugary goodness in soda form.

"You look as hungry as I feel." David said in his own comfortable Welsh accent not the bland RP one he used to hide behind because his dad had told him he had to fit in. Someone from an old mining family didn't make the sort of life his old man had wanted for him

"Mate, If eating was an olympic sport the only people that could beat me would be one of you lot." Aiden replied.

"Not going to argue with that. I've got a pass tonight so we can order in pizza, I'm guessing we can get enough to fill us all to capacity and next weekend I've still got a shopping pass so if we all head to the local supermarket we can get enough in sugar and rubbish food to keep us going for a little while."

"Yeah, not sure at what point Mrs Hodge will cut the line to sugar off so everything helps. I'm not sure about the Pizza maybe tomorrow. It's cottage pie tonight and I kinda love cottage pie don't want to miss it." Aiden had finished his can. "I've got to get some work in. My Math works all good, but who'd have thought English would be my downfall." The Aussie laughed softly.

"I see you, and raise you being Welsh. English is my second but most used language and seriously I'm only taking those exams to make my dad proud. The big joke is he is the proudest Welshman ever."

They both laughed as David sat himself down at the common room table and rubbed his face, his study was under control but he'd been feeling uneasy since the wierdness had started. He was sure they all were but little things were touching his usually calm demeanor and he had sudden urges to want to curse in Welsh at the most random of people.

He'd not noticed how shallow the flames were in the common room fireplace, he almost jumped up to put a couple of logs on the fire. He didn't move away and just stared at it as the new additions finally took light slowly and the fire was no longer in danger of dying. He became more fixated as the flames danced higher like they were taking control of him.

"David." A soft purr of a voice seemed to enter his brain then it disappeared as if it had never been there. He moved his hands closer to the flames, he needed the warmth, suddenly chilled to his bones.

"David." This time the voice was definitely in the room with him, he jumped as he felt a small female hand at the small of his back. "David." The voice was more insistent the second time and he woke from his trance.

"Oh hey Georgia," he said.

"Your hands they were almost touching the flames," she said. "I was so very concerned you were about to hurt yourself."

She tried to lead him away from the flames but his feet were rooted to the spot.

"I don't need to fear the flames, G." He grinned down at her. "The flames are my friend."

When she looked into his eyes she nodded at him. "Don't rush things." Her voice was considered and quiet. "I need to speak to the medling stranger but I don't know how to communicate yet. I'm hoping that tonight I can ask questions."

He nodded at her. "I think at some point we'll all need answers but trust this," he said gently. "I trust we'll all be shown the path we need."

"You taking on the woowoo then?" She almost giggled.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"The woowoo seems pretty damn real at the moment doesn't it?"

"It does." She replied. "We need to go and get food before Aiden eats all of the cottage pie. You know how much of that he eats and now." Her words trailing off.

"And now," he said. "We're all consuming more food than ever, I think it's the double lives." He winked at her exagerated and they both laughed as he hooked his arm in hers to lead her towards the dining room. Even though he had to keep himself bent as he was over a foot taller than her.

"There you are." They were greeted by Graham who hurried them over. "Get some food before Aiden inhales it all." Georgia sat in one space and he squeezed his long limbs into the small space at the other end of the table and grabbed a generous portion of cottage pie and a pile of vegetables. He was busy pouring a river of gravy on his plate of food when a scream pierced the low murmur of conversations.

The fireplace in the dining room had pushed out a rogue flame and singed a first years jumper as she walked by it. Then shortly after it did it again this time it was aimed at Penelope, but it hit one of her friend group. He was in his latin class and when he wasn't near the witch of the school he actually wasn't too bad of a person.

The flames caught hold as the screams spread through the dining room and staff came rushing from nowhere. The had him rolling on the floor as everyone was rushed out, David's stomach growled in very obvious protest at not getting its fill.

Mrs Hodge promised them she'd get some food to them shortly they just had to deal with the emergency first and she was good to her word when less than an hour later they were all eating plates of dinner and his plate looked similar to the one he'd left behind.

The food was good and warmed his insides though as he stared at the fire in the common room he was troubled. He believed he shouldn't fear the fire, but those flames had been viscous and unyielding in their desire to hurt. He let out a long exhale from a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding noticing Georgia's intent gaze.

"What?" he asked. He sounded surely even to his own ears as he started a staring match with his diminutive friend. She didn't break eye contact, she'd never let him win at the stare match and it seemed like she didn't intend to let him win this time either.

"Whatever is going through your mind. You don't think of a lady like that." Alex said calmly in his bland mid western accent. "Not cool my friend, not cool at all. You can address those words at objects, the world or the wierd stuff that is happening. You will not even think those words towards those we protect."

The flames in the fire danced, he could have sworn he heard them giggle as it spit out tiny sparks.

"Are we going to be allowed to eat this time." Aiden glanced around the table and everyone forced out a strained laugh as they began to shovel food into their mouths.

The food had paused whatever had been brewing, but even satiated when there wasn't a mouthful of food left on the table the temperature of the room started to rise again.

"What in the actual hell was happening back then?" Sophia asked as she winced slightly. "Also why does it feel like the temperature has been dialled up to flaming hot in here."

"Because he." Alex sounded bored. "Feels called out by Georgina about his talent or something like that. I agree with Georgie today cause someone got hurt here and they didn't threaten us."

"I didn't control the flames." Surely David had re-entered the room.

"I think they picked up on your emotions." Alex yawned. "Control yourself or you'll hurt one of us.

"I won't hurt any of you," he said gruffly as the flames danced higher a couple of sparks landed close to Alex and Georgina. He frowned and stared at the fire. "Stop." The dancing didn't calm as more sparks floated towards them again. "I said stop." His voice getting firmer and lower as he sucked in a deeper breath trying to calm his now racing heartbeat.

"Mate you need to calm down." He barely heard Aiden's Australian accent.

It felt like his heart wanted to jump out of his chest.

The sparks were flying around the room now hitting all his friends with soft sizzles and he couldn't stop them. He wanted them to stop and yet he couldn't gain enough control. He'd started to hyperventilate falling to knees infront of the fire.

"You need to breath slowly." Lisa dropped to the floor next to him. "Breath with me."

He nodded at her before trying to take a proper breath and failing.

"Breath in." She placed her fingers on his forearm. "And out." She talked in through ten breaths and he could feel his racing heart begin to slow. She kept going through another ten, then another ten.

There were no sparks now and the flames were normal as if whatever had happened never was.

"I'm sorry." He looked to his friends who waved it away. "I think I need to sleep, I feel exhausted."

"I think we all need to sleep." Georgina stood and headed out without another word.