1 1] Up in Flames

"Phoenix, stop!"

Phoenix inhaled out-loud and reopened his eyes to stare at the dark ceiling. He groaned and pressed his palm into his right eye, feeling a pounding headache coming on. His stomach turned at the thought of his nightmare replaying over every night, biting his lip when the screams began to roll in his head like smoke.

The light shined upon Phoenix' tired, irritated face as he stared into the stocked fridge. He rubbed his right eye as he drowsily eyed the large vodka of bottle. He would have admitted he was an alcoholic, if he was on the outside. But being here for four years now, he considered it his best friend. It numbed its pain and blacked out memories. His dark golden eyes hung on the bottle longer just as voices began to murmur from down the hallway, ignoring the laughter and ripped it off the shelf. He shut the fridge hard and walked over to the dimly lit island thanks to the stove too. From the look of the dirty skillet and tongs, Simon was last in here. It still smelt like applewood bacon to Phoenix's magnificent nose knowing he cooked hours ago. Phoenix moved over to the cabinet and grabbed a small glass, listening to the faint echoes of screams and agony in his head. His slapped the glass down and groaned, cracking his neck side to side and uncapped the bottle. Instantly, the strong scent hit him and seemed to ease his nerves so little.

His body ached only so little now from the workshops and daily workouts, thankful it was his free day today. He threw back the drink and huffed with satisfaction, looking over the empty glass when the voices wandered closer and the door opened. Two girls in their pajamas wandered in, giggling till they spotted the shirtless man stilling at the island. One with a dirty blonde hair pushed some loose hair behind her ear and tipped her chin up, walking over with a perky gait. "Do you ever sleep?"

"Sober? No." Phoenix dryly commented, pouring himself another drink. He picked it up and watched it slosh around. "Did the batteries in your vibrator die? Is that why you're out?"

The other girl nipped her lip while the girl leaned her hipbone against the island and scoffed, locking eyes. Phoenix broad jawline tightened when he swallowed and rose his drink towards her then took a few gulps, the kitchen remain silent even when he settled it down gently. The girl gently shook her head, not insulted. "Still have fire in you from today, huh?"

"What can I say?" He picked up the bottle and his drink, enthusiastically smiling. "It's in my blood."

Phoenix sat on the edge of his bed, letting his anger bubble. He picked up his pack of cigarettes and pulled one out, dropping the pack back onto his nightstand. It slid and bounced off the photo frame, getting his attention when it budged a little. It was a picture of him and his girlfriend from his "human" days; that was four years ago. Here, he was dealing with cocky, high-egoed people like Sam or Cecily. He slipped the cigarette between his lips and exhaled, defeating just by looking at the memory. Why didn't I try to get out of here? He groaned and tilted his head down, he snapped his fingers. A black, smokey flame emitted from his thumb. To him, it was cold. But the way it torched the cigarette just being an inch away said otherwise. He puffed on the cigarette a d relaxed, the flame diminishing. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and leaned over on his knees, watching the smoke elegantly roll out of his mouth. He finally felt it. After a couple drinks, there was that buzzed that numbed his body and silenced his screaming head. Everything was fine—he was in control again.