Chapter 1: Nothing In This World Is For Free

Nothing in this world is for free. Believe me, I know. Having grown up in a large city side, I was raised to always try my best. Being the oldest child of a large family meant that I received the most expectations. If I failed, no-one would ever let me down.

That was quite straining. Having to be in charge of everything. I did whatever I could to help support the family, but it was not good enough. I couldn't prevent every bad thing from happening, I'm just one girl. That doesn't mean I would stop trying.

Maybe that's why I did the thing I did.

What happened you may ask? A gamble. A gamble with huge risks and an impossible odd. Why did I still take the bet? I had no choice. My family was on the line. And the nearest fire department was 4 miles away.

The family and I went on a little trip to the country side in order to visit our grandpa. We did this every year. The family would hold a gathering in where we would help grandpa with the farm. The children especially liked Tipster, that was the name of grandpa's horse.

As the children would play with her, pa and ma would converse with grandpa. I was in charge of setting up everything. Sure, it's not very responsible for my parents to hoist everything onto me. But they said that it's training for me to get used to pressure.

After setting up the requirements, I would tell everyone what to do around the farm. The children were in charge of picking corn, my parents were in charge of removing the leaves off of the corn, grandpa was in charge of feeding the animals, and I was in charge of transporting the stuff into boxes.

Grandpa sold corn. Sure, he also sold other products but I'm only gonna say corn. The family would drive off to sell the corn and return at night. I'm not sure what they do after selling corn. I would play with the kids, making sure nothing bad happened.

Then, night came. The children were asleep. I had trouble sleeping since I was cleaning up any mess the kids made. I kept cleaning until something smelled funny. I turn to look and see smoke coming from the kitchen. Before I could open the door, the fire burst open the door.

My first thought was, 'I left the stove on!'. I ran upstairs, waking up the kids. I told them to run outside, giving them no time to gather their stuff. While we ran downstairs, the fire creep out on us. It engulfed the exit, forcing us to retreat again.

I turn to look back upstairs, an idea forming in my mind. The kids and I went back up. We tided the blankets together. I wrap one kid up before slowly descending them down outside the barn. I did this until there was only one kid and me left.

Never looking back, I could feel the heat getting near me. The kid landed, but the blanket snapped. Leaving me unable to descend properly. I decided to look back, in order to determine how long I have left. The fire was already so close to me. If I wait any longer, then I would become engulfed.

I take a gulp. Looking down outside. The children shout from me to jump. I nod, telling them to step back. As the fire creeps closer to me, I make a leap of faith. Landing on the ground, I can feel many bones shattered. Landing on cement is not a pretty picture.

I look up at the children. They stare at me in horror. I try to move my leg, seems it's broken. The second oldest kid helps me up. I stagger as we make our way farthest from the fire. Then, I hear grandpa's horse, Tipster, neigh. The children and I turn to look and see the fire gradually closing in on her.

The kids run off to try and save the horse. I limp to them, yelling not to go any closer. As almost all the children stop, the youngest isn't so lucky. I scream for them to run as the ceiling collapses, entrapping the youngest.

Ignoring the pain, I try my best to run with a broken leg. Adrenaline kicking in as I venture into the burning barn. I can hear the children shouting to come back, but I don't listen. I spot the youngest, staying in one spot and scared to move. I pick her up, the ceiling collapses once more.

Smoke spreads, making it hard to breath. I cough, feeling weak. The horse keeps crying for help. I look back at her with worry. The second oldest kids runs into the barn. I tell them to take the youngest outside, leaving me to save Tipster. They nod, looking scared.

As the children exit, I try to open the gates trapping Tipster. The horse looks on with fear. I'm not sure it can tell it's me. As I open the gate, I hear the ceiling collapsing near the exit. Tipster runs out the gate. I try to stop her but she's uneasily rampaging. The smoke becomes thicker as the fires begins to gradually come closer.

Soon, the room is filled with heavy smoke. I keep coughing, feeling exhausted. I fall onto the floor, unable to move. The children's shouts are heard outside as the pillar supporting the barn falls onto the horse. The horse and I look at each other, feeling unsure of what's to come.

I can feel the tears dripping down my face as the horse stops struggling. Now we're both only breathing heavily. I crawl with what little strength I have left towards Tipster. I place my hand on her face. She stops to stare at me. I give her a sad smile.

"I'm sorry girl. It's my fault. I should have been more careful…"

The horse looks at me. Seemingly thankful that I'm here. She closes her eyes. Her breath, ceasing. I close my eyes as well, feeling the fire finally on me. As I become engulfed in the fire, my vision fades to black.

This was one gamble, I lost…

_

Everything around me feels empty. It's like I'm floating around in nothing. I can't feel anything. Not sure I'm even in a body right now. It feels, weird… I try to look around, but everything is pitch black. Is this what happens to those who died? We float around in nothingness?

Then, a faint light catches my attention. I move towards it. The light gets bigger. For some reason, it seems familiar…

Looking into the light, I see 3 images. A horn, wings, and a hoof. I'm not sure what they mean…

"Choose wisely."

A somewhat strange yet soothing voice echoes through the empty space. I glance around the space, thinking I'd see someone.

"What are these?"

"Magic, flight, and earth."

"Can you tell me what each do in more detail?"

"Magic, while able to do many things, takes years to master. One must have enough magic power to conjure powerful spells. Unfortunately, you lack much of magic. It is unwise to choose this path."

"Then why give me the option?"

"Human beings are strange creatures. You never know what they will do."

"I see… then what about flight?"

"Flight, unlike magic, allows one to walk on clouds and control weather. One must have enough stamina and patience to take this path."

"Why does that sound familiar…"

"And finally, earth. Unlike magic and flight, earth is able to control the land. They cultivate the fields since they are the most connected with the land. You need nothing for this choice, it's the safest path."

I think about each option carefully. While having magic sounds awesome, I'm not one for staying in one place. Having flight can be great since it sounds familiar… Although earth is the easiest path…

"How long do I have to choose?"

"There is no time limit."

"I see… in that case, I choose flight."

The light gets bigger. I see it engulf me. As my vision falters, the voice speaks to me once more.

"Do not worry of change. Accept it as one of many stories. Enjoy the gifts you'll soon receive…"

Accept the gifts I'll soon receive? Nothing in this world is for free.