Ruins
an excerpt

Tique knelt on the ground sending a puff of dust swirling around his sinewy thighs. His pecan shell colored skin swirled with the reflection of the searing flames that danced in front of him. Flaming fingers snapped and beckoned as Tique struggled with his decision. He looked back at Noapte. She was struggling against the rope around her ankle, her fingers stuttering over the knots. The tears on her cheeks burned their way down to the corners of her mouth, over her chin, down her neck. Her cries, unheeded by Tique, were swallowed by the roar of the flames. He knew he had to choose. He could see the shadow touching Noapte, teasing him, tormenting him. It approached Noapte from behind and embraced her. She didn’t see the shadow, didn’t feel its touch, but in a very short time, she would. Tique couldn’t bear that. Time that had been suspended for a moment, blasted ahead. He chose. Rising to his feet, he squared his shoulders, lifted his chin and put his chest out. He would not die with fear, and he would not die in vain. That much he could control. That much he knew. He stepped forward and knew no more. The shadow peeled off of Noapte and lifted a spark from Tique’s body then rose into the darkness. The fire, fed by his flesh, belched and popped and threw sparks in the night, displaying its power to consume and destroy.