From the Ashes: Prologue and Chapter 1

Prologue:

                      "I'm bored." Saphyre Indahol announced for what felt like the one hundredth time as she came into the kitchen and plopped into a chair. There was nothing to do; her chores were done, her room was clean and school was out for a spring holiday. Living on a mountain in the middle of nowhere left her with no one to play with.

            "Saphyre... if I hear that one more time I'll give you something to do!" Saphyre's mother threatened as she mopped the floor.

"Why can't I have a puppy?" Saphyre knew her mother meant that she would find something for her to clean if she mentioned her boredom again and so, she changed the subject.

"Saphyre..." Her mother turned her name into a wail of frustration. "It's a finally  nice day, go outside!"

            So it was that ten year old Saphyre was now sitting on a rock trying to think of something to do and wishing once again that she had a sister or even a brother to play with. She idly flicked small bits of moss off the rock as she sat there until something caught her attention.

Something moved in the tall dry grass near her, it was a small rabbit! Saphyre's grandmother taught her to track animals when she visited the reservation so she carefully crept down off the rock to get as close as she could to the rabbit. No matter how careful she was, the rabbit would rear up on its hind legs sniff and then hop away just out of her reach.

 She was thinking that if she caught it her mother would let her keep it, and it was just close enough to give her hope that she'd be able to catch it. This stalking continued until the rabbit finally grew tired of the game and bounded into the underbrush. Saphyre could hear it hopping along, and knew she'd never catch it now. When she looked around she realized that she had no idea where she was, or how to get home.

Trees were all around her and brush blocked her view of her house, Saphyre's heart began to beat faster as she looked for something to guide her home. The only thing she could find were the faint scuffed leaves where she'd crawled along, but after a few feet she couldn't tell the difference between her passing and the natural disorder of the forest floor.

In the shade of the trees it was cooler than it had been in the sun kissed field and Saphyre suddenly shivered. When the sun went down the forest would get really cold and Saphyre hadn't worn a jacket since, as her mother had said, it was a nice day.

Although she knew that she should stay where she was until someone found her, she was afraid she'd get in trouble. Saphyre tried to follow the trail she'd left on her way into the forest, but was soon even more lost than she had been. The sun was going down when she thought she heard someone calling her name, she ran toward where she thought the voice had come from; but no one was there.  

Soon it was dark, and Saphyre was scared and cold. She jumped at every little noise that came and grew more and more agitated. Although it had been a nice day, it was now getting windy and to top off a bad day, it began to rain. Saphyre took shelter under a rock outcropping and began to cry. She was cold and wet and she wanted to go home!

Somewhere nearby a branch broke crashing through the boughs above on its way to the ground, Saphyre just knew it was a vicious creature coming to eat her. She threw her hands out defensively and gave a yelp of surprise as a fireball flew from her hands and hit some dry pine straw.

It smoldered then caught fire just as the fireball fizzled out. Saphyre picked up a dead branch that was still dry and hurried over to the small fire, its dead twigs caught quickly.  She somehow managed to bring it back under the shelter of the rock without putting it out. Saphyre gathered some of the moss and dry leaves from around her and soon had a small fire burning.    

Saphyre had heard all about fire safety in school. So she dutifully made sure she ringed her fire with smaller rocks and cleared away anything that might spread the fire further than she wanted. She was still hungry but at least she wasn't as cold as she had been and she focused on trying to recreate the fireball again.

After a long time of concentrating and getting a headache, she was rewarded with a small flicker of flames on her fingertips. Saphyre's eyes were wide as saucers as she watched the flames dance along her skin without burning it.

"Whoa... I'm like that guy from the fantastic four or something!" Saphyre whispered in awe; and as all children know, you never told anyone about your secret powers not even your parents. Throughout the night she experimented with her power until she finally fell into an exhausted sleep as the sun was beginning to rise. The smoke from her fire rising over the forest led the search party to her only a couple of hours later.

"How'd you manage to build a fire?" Her tearful father asked as he wrapped her in a blanket; then he gathered her against him to carry her out of the woods.

 "Grandma taught me..." Saphyre murmured sleepily against his shoulder. She knew her grandma would forgive her for the half lie, she had taught her just not the way Saphyre had done it.

Chapter 1: A New Start!

Nineteen year old Saphyre Indahol slid a bottle of vitamins across the scanner at her register, but there was no acknowledging beep from the machine she tried again, but with no success. Finally she held it up and manually typed in the numbers off the back, this time the price appeared on the screen. She moved on to the next product and took a sideways glance at the woman she was ringing up.

She was a well dressed woman with an air of class about her, and Saphyre wondered what she must be thinking about her at the moment. Maybe she was just being a little bit sensitive, her black eye was fading and her injuries were on their way to healing. But she still felt like everyone's eyes lingered on her. It had been her decision to come back to work so quickly though, so she had no one to blame but herself.

"Saphyre... That's a rather unusual name." The woman commented.

"Yeah... my mom had a thing for picking out strange names." Saphyre smiled, blushing. She didn't know if the woman was making fun of her or giving her a compliment, and didn't really know how to respond.

"So did mine!" December smiled and stuck out her hand. "I'm December Allen."

"That's a pretty name..." Saphyre said. She shook the offered hand, and then continued to ring up December's purchases. With that quick comment Saphyre's focus had been shifted from her appearance to idle conversation.

While Saphyre busy ringing up her purchases, December was able to look her over   without making her uncomfortable. She'd been sent here... to meet this girl, although she had not known specifically who she was. She wasn't the only one who was looking for this girl and if Saphyre's fairly recent injuries were anything to go by, someone had gotten to her first. December didn't need telepathy to feel the girl's self consciousness radiating off of her like waves of heat from an oven.

"Your total is $23.75." Saphyre looked up from the register and smiled.

Ember dug a hand into her purse for her credit card and one of her business cards, and then handed them both to Saphyre. It had taken months of careful planning for this meeting to take place. It was her job to find people like this girl, and now that she had... she couldn't just leave.

"Oh... umm this was stuck to your credit card." Saphyre tried to hand the business card it back to December while she slid the credit card into the machine.

"No, that's for you." Ember explained. "If you're interested in a job that pays better than here and has benefits... give me a call."

"I don't need to think about it!" Saphyre answered immediately. December had no way of knowing that Saphyre was not only trying to get back on her feet financially, but physically as well. But then maybe she did; after all weren't all 19 year olds in the same boat? "What kind of work is it? Am I qualified?"

"It isn't hard work, and yes I think with training you would make a great addition to our team." December assured her. Saphyre was uniquely qualified for the position, and Ember knew that already. The trouble would come later when Saphyre's real training began, and the reason Ember had approached her in the first place became crystal clear.

But for now, the hook had been baited and it was all up to Saphyre what to do next. Saphyre was smiling excitedly, and asking more questions, but this wasn't the place to talk and Ember needed to get back to the others.

"Saphyre, why don't you give me a call later; after you get off work?" Ember nodded her head toward the people that were waiting impatiently for Saphyre to ring up their merchandise. "I can answer all your questions then, ok?"

"Oh yeah... sure!" Saphyre blushed; she turned apologizing to the irritated old man in front of her. Ember strolled out the door and Saphyre watched her leave idly scanning the products in front of her out of habit. She was in no position to turn down better pay and benefits, but she also owed her best friend, Cathy, money. Not only that, but Saphyre lived with her... and she and her husband had already done so much for her that she'd have to talk to her before she did anything silly. As it was, Saphyre had already made too many mistakes since she'd moved out of her parent's house.

For the rest of the night, Saphyre thought about the opportunity she had been presented with. She occasionally dipped a hand inside of her smock and fingered the business card as if she were afraid it might disappear. When her shift ended, Cathy pulled up in her beat up Toyota Camry and beeped the horn softly; Saphyre wouldn't wait outside and Cathy tried to be there waiting for her the minute she got off work.

Saphyre waved goodbye to her co-workers and scampered out the door. She was excited and anxious to hear what Cathy might think of this new job offer, she pulled open the car door and swung into the seat already talking about it.

"Sooo how was work?" Cathy joked and slid the car into gear listening as Saphyre detailed all she knew about the job. Saphyre paused; Cathy glanced over to find Saphyre looking at her expectantly. "I dunno what to say Saphyre. It sounds great, you should definitely check it out... but really it's up to you."

"Well I owe you so much... and this is a chance to actually help out with bills and.." Saphyre began.

"Oh stop that!" Cathy interrupted. "You're my friend! I couldn't let you stay on the streets! I don't mind the helping with the bills, but after that... you don't owe me anything." She looked over at Saphyre. "Besides, it gives me someone besides Shawn to talk to, and I get to borrow your clothes."

Saphyre laughed. That last part was a joke, because while Saphyre was only 5 ft 1, Cathy towered over her at 5 ft 9. If the other girl had tried to wear her clothes she would look like she had Capri pants on.

Saphyre was having fun living with Cathy and her husband, but sleeping on the couch of a newly married couple was a bit awkward. She couldn't' help but feel like she was intruding on what should be a special time for them; and they were already struggling to make ends meet without the added burden of her being there.

"So, I'll call her tomorrow and see what happens then." Saphyre said crossing her fingers hopefully.

Saphyre cracked her eyes open at 6am, wakened by the sound of Shawn leaving for his job at the local steel mill. Cathy was in her bathrobe, she handed him his lunch and kissed him hungrily before he walked out the door. To give them some privacy, Saphyre pretended to still be asleep.

Cathy yawned while shuffling back to the room she shared with Shawn and shut the door softly then it was Cathy's turn to get ready for work.

It was too early for Saphyre to call December, so she flipped onto her side and slid back to sleep. Cathy would wake her up before she left, and she would call then. It only seemed like a few minutes later that Cathy called her name softly.

"Phyre... hun wake up." Cathy reached out to touch Saphyre but pulled up inches from her shoulder when a whimper came from her sleeping friend. "Phyre?" Saphyre groaned and threw an arm out almost hitting her Cathy grabbed it reflexively.

Saphyre snapped awake, her eyes wide with fear. She jerked her arm free of Cathy's and pulled her legs up hugging them to her chest.

"Saphyre... it's just me! It's all right, it was just a nightmare." Cathy soothed, sometimes they were worse than others. Judging from Phyre's reactions this time must have been a doozy!

"Cathy?" Saphyre echoed, visibly relaxing.

"Yep, it's just lil ol me." Cathy smiled softly. "I wish I could stay with you... but I have to go to work."

"I'll be fine... was just a dream." Saphyre sighed running a hand through her hair.

"Well, call me if you need me." Cathy said, and then got to her feet to head into the kitchen.

"Thanks, I will." Saphyre murmured.

We're having meatloaf for dinner." She called from inside the freezer taking out a package of meat and put it in the fridge, and then grabbed her own sack lunch.

"I'll have it ready for you when you get home." Saphyre offered, after all it was her day off and was the least she could do. Cathy was headed out the door, her keys jangling noisily. "I'll call and let you know how the job thing goes..."

"Okay, good luck!" Cathy smiled then shut the door.

Saphyre yawned and pulled herself up off the couch, then shuffled over to the door sliding the bolt home. The clock on the microwave read 8:30 am; Saphyre dug the December's card out of her smock pocket and punched in the numbers as she read them off the card. The phone rang on the other end, and rang, then on the third ring someone picked up the line.

"Thank you for calling Empryrean Divinity Industries, this is Mary. How can I direct your call?" A brisk female voice asked.

"Oh... ummm I'm calling for December Allen..." Saphyre stammered, then hastily added. "Please.."

"You mean Ember... sure, just a moment please."

The disembodied voice clicked silent as the call was put through. Saphyre's heart thumped painfully against her ribcage and her hand was sweating holding the phone. Why am I so nervous? It's just a job; I've had plenty, no big deal! So calm down!

"This is Ember, how can I help you?" December's voice suddenly sounded into her ear.

"Hi, umm this is Saphyre Indahol. I dunno if you remember me, but you gave me your card last night?" Saphyre held her breath.

"Ahh, yes! Of course I remember you." Ember's voice warmed; her chair creaked as she leaned back. "How are you this morning?" She asked.

Saphyre blushed, remembering her manners a little late. "I'm fine, and you?" She twisted the phone cord around her fingers nervously.

"I've had my coffee, so I'm doing okay. Would you like to come to the office to see what we do?" Ember invited. Waves of uncertainty and nervousness emanating from Saphyre were transmitted through the phone, and Ember put a hand over her eyes. Calm down... there's nothing to worry about. She sent the soothing thoughts back to Saphyre. "Maybe after that, if you're still interested you can fill out an application while you're here."

"Sure, that sounds great!" Saphyre answered. A feeling of warmth had spread through her body; her heartbeat began returning to a more normal pace and she slowly freed her fingers from the phone cord. "When should I come up there?"

There were rustling noises and Saphyre figured December was consulting her schedule before giving her an answer. She also figured that it might be several days before December had time to set aside for her.

"I'm tied up for the rest of the morning." Ember explained. "But can you come in later this afternoon?"

"What? This afternoon?" Saphyre yelped. She realizing how she must have sounded, she recovered her composure. "I mean its fine! I just didn't think... So when is good for you?"

            "Is one o'clock ok?" December suggested. "I'll clear my slate for the rest of the day. Then I can show you around, introduce you to some people and see what you think."

            "Okay, I'll see you then!" Saphyre agreed, almost jumping up and down with excitement. "Thank you, December! Goodbye!" She almost hung up when December's chuckle stopped her.

"Don't you want directions?" She asked, laughingly. This girl was impulsive and unguarded with her emotions. They'd have to change that if she was to have any chance in their organization.

"Oh, yeah!" Saphyre rummaged around for a piece of paper and came up with a crumpled receipt, she hurriedly wrote the simple directions down then with a last goodbye, she hung up the phone. "WOOO HOOO!" She crowed dancing around with the paper in her hand. "Oh my god! I've gotta call Cathy!"

The whole call had only taken maybe fifteen minutes and Cathy wouldn't have made it to work yet, so Saphyre grabbed herself a quick bowl of cereal. While she ate she grew more excited at the prospect of a good paying job. One that might allow her to move into her own place, but on the heels of that thought came a wave of fear. Maybe, we could all move into a bigger place instead? When she finished her breakfast, she called Cathy.

"I go in at one o'clock today!" She squealed into the phone when Cathy answered. There was a lot of excited chatter between them, and then they hung up. Saphyre killed time until it was almost time to get ready by cleaning the house, watching TV and then mixing up the meatloaf for dinner. Just before she left, she slid the meatloaf into the oven and set the timer.

The yellow cab waited at the curb for her, she read off the address to the cabbie, and soon they were on their way. Saphyre didn't know what to expect at the EDI building, but it certainly wasn't the small old fashioned building that they pulled up to. She paid her fare and stepped out of the cab and looked at her watch, it was 12:45, she was a little early, but that was ok.

"Better early than late..." Saphyre murmured then headed up the marble stairs, and then she pushed through a pair of heavy wood and glass doors to enter a large foyer. It looked a lot bigger and impressive on the inside! Large plants grew in exquisite pots; while beautiful Persian rugs covered marble floors and it smelled like a library; she went up to the receptionist desk.

"I'm..." Saphyre began

"Saphyre Indahol right?" The woman asked before Saphyre could finish.

"Well yes." Saphyre smiled uncertainly, but how did this woman know? "I'm here to..."

"To see Ember Allen, yes I know. She's expecting you." The woman again finished Saphyre's sentence for her. "Go up the elevator to the fourth floor, make a right and it's the last office on the left."

"Thanks..." Saphyre said frowning, this woman couldn't know who she was and who she was seeing without ever seen or talked to her.

            "I'm Mary, we spoke on the phone." The receptionist smiled and introduced herself as if she heard what Saphyre was thinking.

            "Oh..." Saphyre said still not quite satisfied with the way things were going. Something was going on here that she didn't quite understand, but she wasn't sure what it was. She shook off the feeling chalking it up to her frayed nerves and paranoia; but as Saphyre stepped into the car, she couldn't help but glance back at Mary again.

            Minutes later Saphyre was knocking on a door with a brass plate engraved with December's name. The door swung open and December greeted her with a smile. Over the next two hours they discussed a variety of topics from her family to what kind of work was done at EDI and what was expected of her.

            "So what do you think?" December asked. "Do you think you can do the work? Or is this something you even think you might be interested in?"

            "Oh yeah!" Saphyre said. "I'm definitely interested and I think I can do it." The work sounded pretty easy enough; she'd be doing research for people who were more experienced in the field. To be more accurate, she would file the completed paperwork at first and THEN she'd be paired with someone who could train her to do research. The work was sensitive so she'd have to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that she couldn't talk about her work, but in great detail.

            "Glad to hear it." December smiled. "So when do you think you can start work?"

             "I'd have to give my two weeks notice." Saphyre answered. "But after that I'm all yours; and I can come in on my days off if you want?"

"Okay so two weeks, no problem." December said smiling. "Let me know if you can come in because you'll be working with me at first; and I can always use the help. I'll decide where you go from there."

             "Why do you need a biography?" They discussed pay and other important details. December Allen had a good sense of humor but she was also professional and efficient and Saphyre decided that she really liked December. When they were through December showed her through the offices and introduced her to a few people.

            "It's for your background check... just a formality really." December explained.

            "Oh... I see!" Saphyre nodded, she'd never actually thought about her life and how it might look on paper; when she was finished she thought it was pretty sad looking barely taking up one page. She left a few things out, but she didn't see how they would possibly be important, and she also figured she was entitled to a little privacy on those two instances. Besides, if they researched hard enough, they'll find out on their own! Saphyre thought. When they were through December put all the papers into a folder and put it in the briefcase on the corner of her desk.

            "I think that about wraps things up Saphyre. Do you have any questions?" Ember asked leaning back in her chair, she had a cup of coffee in her hand and took a drink while waiting for Saphyre to answer.

            "Not that I can think of..." Saphyre paused thinking for a minute. "But I'm sure I'll think of something as soon as I leave."

            "Then I'll see you in two weeks, depending on your schedule." Ember straightened up to get to her feet and gathered her briefcase and purse.

            "Wow is it 5:oo already?" Saphyre asked in shock when she looked at the clock on December's desk. She got to her feet as well. "I'm supposed to be cooking dinner!"

            "Did you drive?" December asked.

            "No, I don't have a car, is that a problem?" Saphyre asked apprehensively

"As long as you are on time, it isn't." Ember assured her. "I was thinking more along the lines that I could drive you home if you needed a ride. It'd save you time."

"OH! That's sooo nice of you!" Saphyre exclaimed.

December drove Saphyre home; they arrived just before Cathy and Shawn were supposed to be home.

"Thanks again, December!" Saphyre waved as she got out of the car.

"No problem, and please, call me Ember..." She responded.

"Oh ok! Ember." Saphyre smiled. "My friends call me Phyre...but I dunno if you want to, since you're my boss... Oh wow! I just realized! We're Ember and Phyre... isn't that neat?"

"Oh yeah, it's neat." Ember laughed and shook her head. "See you later Phyre."