[ IP ] Fire in the Rain

Darkness.. how long had it been night? I could n't remember. How long had it rained? It had seemed for an eternity. I wandered through the streets, the desolate streets. It was.. a Wednessday night, I thought. I was n't sure though. There were lights, there were great skyscrapers and there were great streets. But there was nobody in them, near them, or on the streets. In the distance, I saw vague figures, dark like shadows, but when I approached, they had already disappeared, like dust, blown away by the wind. In the windows of the great skyscrapers, I saw bodiless eyes gazing at me, observing me, judging me. 
 
 The winds became colder and harsher. Stronger. I wandered, I wandered, looking for something, but I did not know what. Perhaps I was looking for heat, because my only desire at that moment was warmth. I rubbed my hands together and blew hot breath on them. It helped a little bit, but my bones and flesh were still cold, begging for heat. My jacket was soaked by the rain, and I could hardly move my fingers without it hurting. 
 
 I kept walking. The moon rose and the lights grew dimmer. As I crossed a corner, I saw another figure in the distance. I approached it, but the figure did not disappear. I walked further, further, until I finally came close. A woman. The figure had an umbrella. I cried out for it, for a shield against the rain. As I ran to her, I vaguely recognized her. I knew her, but I did not know from what. 
 
 She turned around and smiled. A smile, belonging to a face without eyes, or hair. A head that was burning, crackling, as her umbrella was. I did not care. She was warm, at least. 
 
 I ran to her and embraced her. The wonderful flames spread, and soon I was in bliss, as its warmth embraced me. Together we burned, but I felt no pain. I only felt a release from the cold. 
 
 She burned to ashes, even as we held each other. My embrace became an empty one. My warmth, my flames, they were destroyed by the rain and the wicked cold. Her ashes were cast into the wind, but they were not carried along. No, they went into the other direction. Further into the city, with the great skyscrapers. 
 
 I knew. I followed the ashes and I prayed for warmth. 
 

