Phoenix. (Chapter Two)

I screamed. I fell to my knees in agony, a white burning pain distorted and deteriorated my vision.

I fell to the floor, ripping the broach from my body. I looked at my throbbing breast and saw, burned into the skin, the broach's phoenix engraved upon my body.

I needed to soothe the white hot pain I still felt. I went under the bridge to the small river below and started splashing water onto my burn.

I dipped my hand in instantly, pausing for a moment to appreciate the calm and gentle manner of the ripple compared to confused and ragged manner of the human who caused it.

As I splashed water from my cupped hand onto my burn it seemed to bubble and boil away. The wisps of steam floating in front of me, taunting me - 'we won't stop your pain', they seemed to whisper. But I dismissed this as a delusion created by pain.

Realising this wasn't helping I stripped off, and dived into the water. I knew this would get around; but let the people talk, it will give them a change from their usual, tedious conversation.

I felt the water close around me, soothing and comforting. 'The water can't judge me', I think to myself.

The pain started receding, leaving me to bathe under the beautiful, diminishing sun.

I eventually leave the water. I dry myself with my skirt and clothe myself.

I walk home into the sunset, oblivious to my broach, sitting on the waters edge.