The forgotten heir

low in the sky, casting a pale glow on two gravestones that stood side by side. Before them stood a man, tall an

was Jes

od unmoving, staring at the na

rge

aret

ice barely a whisper. "And it st

t from the wind, but from the memory. They had died in a fire-an explosion that

. Every damn day

nd-his mother's soft laughter, his father's proud eyes as he learned to ride a bike, the warmth

d told him. "Learn medicine, stud

ise me, Jesse. No matter what, don't show your

he ha

led. "One day, yo

anding in the cold n

udied. I trained. I learned to heal and I learned to fight

s boots crunched over gravel as he made his way

he he

cked-echoed through the

omebody,

cking in. He broke into a run, moving fast through the trees, hea

ded by four men. One of them had a knife. She had tea

f!" Jess

e him, surprised by h

you?" the man with

e said, walking closer. "Let he

"And what are you g

ou a chance

he man closest to the girl lung

apsed, groaning in pain. Another came forward, swinging a pipe. Jesse ducked, counte

n. She didn't hesitate. She took

en were left,

our luck?" Jesse ask

One reached into his co

es widened

ng out. One.

He felt the impact.

here was

oked

hey clattered to the ground, dented and useless.

one of the m

ng inside Je

fists. His breathing changed. His vision blurred for a

first, th

lectric

acked awa

e hell i

g stronger with each second. His heart pounded like a drum. His veins pulsed with p

eamed and t

la

ked with thunder. Lightning shot out in every direction

one. Ashes. Nothing lef

t all

body trembled. His eyes returned to normal

ss too

e with

n the grass, damp with morning dew. The sky abov

rubbing his temple.

ing was empty. No signs of

embered was talking t

ream?" he a

nd found his phone. It was vibrating. T

issed

Rachel-

ed. He quickly

ed up im

have you been?!" she

sorry.

ied. "Come to the hospita

. "What

. "She collapsed. She's not

ne wen

n, the words hitting him

e into his pocket

sing morning mist, one thoug

ust the b