The Fire in our Hearts

Heat Keeping

We were put into a line and a man came out. Well, I think it was a man. He looked more like the offspring of a pig and a bear. He was massive and hairy with grotesque features. Once he got closer I realized that he had been twisted by what looked like burns (not to say he wasn’t ugly as sin before). “Ello lads! Welcome to the Burn Boys!” A general cry of enthusiasm rang out. “This is your new home. Better get used to the smell.” I inhaled smelling nothing but a split second later smoke slammed into my nostrils. My eyes watered but I was the only one who didn’t cough viciously. The grizzly man laughed a raspy gurgle of a laugh. But then stopped. “You! ‘Ey, you ain’t no boy.” I realized then that he was talking to me even though his eyes seemed to be looking at other directions.
“Nope.” I said confidently.
“Well, what did you do to land here, little girl?”
“Don’t call me little girl.” I spit.
“Oh, we got ourselves a feisty one, boys!” he laughed and they nervously joined him. “How ‘bout, Snip. Our Snip! Yeah!” His voice thundered over us. “Do you like that name, Snip?”
“Sounds like a good reminder that I will eventually snip your fat head off!” I growled. But as soon as the words came off my tongue I regretted them. He stepped closer to me until I could smell his mustiness.
“Nice one, Snip!” he laughed. “I hope you boys have as much guts as our gal, Snip.” I literally felt my relief rush through me. “Anyway, as I was saying, this is Light Way. It’s the main heart of our flame.” My jaw dropped as we stepped into a massive room with a tube in the middle that held a massive fire. “This is the Fate Flame, the heart of The Works. It was the first piece of The Works finished because the men needed heat, light, and inspiration.” I looked up to the top of the massive room. All up it were different levels filled with bustling people. It was truly grand but the sight was cut off as we were lead through a hallway. “Down this way is where the Coals work.”
“Coals?” someone echoed.
“Coals are the newbies, or you guys.” He said smiling. “Coals get to work the hardest because you getta try everything and must succeed at everything. But know it gets easier.” Somehow I knew this was a lie. “So to be a true success you have to rise through all five levels then, and only then, may you be able to join the court representing your section. There are many sectors within the heat keeping group. But,” this was going to be the killer ‘but,’ “not many coals stay. This is the hardest section in The Works but it is the most rewarding. Probably 4 of you will be left standing and only 2 will go anywhere here. You gotta work. And hard so might as well start now! You have 3 hours to do whatever you want but at exactly 5:00 you will meet me here again.” I looked at the flame behind us and knew where it was we were. “Have fun!” he said casually. The boys ran off to explore but I casually started to walk away when I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Snip,” he now sounded serious and almost kind, “If anyone gives you any trouble you keep up that attitude up and come to me. But don’t talk like that to any of your superiors. I’m here to save the kids like you but you gotta understand there are things going on I don’t even understand.” He looked around then leaned in and whispered “You gotta live, Andromeda. You have to. Now run along your time is running out!”
“What---”
“Tick tick, Snip!” he laughed as he pushed me out to the flame.  After I regained my balance, I turned to look for him but he was gone. Trying to process what he said, I left to explore.