I itched to grab the pen from her hands and I don't even know her name. Shame on you Reena. But before I can do anything that will embarrass me, Lia came back with a pair of black stilettos.
"Reena, the parade's leaving in ten! Hurry up!" She smiled at the girl beside me then crouched down the floor to help me with the heels. I was not able to say bye to the girl 'cos I got whisked away by Lia to the float that Jess and her team set up.
The float was high, flowers with dark hues surround it. A little fire effect here and there, to match Amy's story of heroism. The literal girl on fire. Take that Katniss.
Jess greeted me with a smile. I smiled back despite being uncomfortable with what happened earlier, and the stares of people around me. "You look stunning girl! I expect no less from Lia." She grinned and hugged me. I patted her back. "You can do this. I'll support you."
I rolled my eyes at her. Ever the enthusiastic Jessica.
"I put down a little high stool for you, so you'd look like standing, but actually sitting. The parade's quite long, I don't want you standing." Jess was proud of herself. I laughed, stepping towards the float. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
Few men of the staff helped me up and sitting on the high stool. Lia's stylist team arranged my gown to hide the stool and make it look more grand than it used to be.
It was all a blur from that. A lot of yelling from the staffs then the parade began. People were on the side of the road to watch the parade. It started from our school then around the city. This was a tradition the cityfolk waits for every year.
When the parade neared the old plaza, where the legend of Amy happened, something stirred inside me. I got a little dizzy, my head hurt. The people around me started to blur, melt into one like dripping grey paint. Everything became a buzzing sound until I felt darkness creeping into me. My whole body shook and thrummed with an unexplainable feeling. My stomach dipped lower and lower, I felt like hurling.
Then silence.
People looking at me with disgust. Like I'm a freak. They are whispering with each other, muttering hateful words towards me. I felt the panic, the sadness, the anger. What did I do to deserve this? Just because I'm kleptomaniac? My schoolmates tend to avoid me because of that. Because I was a witness to a crime? Because my parents are snobby rich people? What did I do?! Was it because I tend to be too sarcastic? What?! Tell me!
But then I realized, these people around me, they're not my people. They're not the people of my city, I'm not even on the float.
What...
"I never done you wrong." I said, with a different voice, full of conviction. "Why must you do this to me?"
Louder threats, louder disgust. "Witch!" Someone yelled. "Die!"
I shook with anger, with hurt. Why? Why must you do this to me? I only wanted approval. I only wanted to fit in, be a part of something normal. I just to be a person worth of something good. Why...?
Tears streamed down my face.
Rocks, rotten tomatoes, and a torch came flying to me, setting my dress on fire. I stared at it while I was slowly burning. It was from him, the man I love. His persona, his appearance that I love so much glints with the fire. He smirked like he finally won. Finally got rid of me.
Why my Anthony? Why? I loved you. Why did you forsake me?
"Witch."
A fire ignited inside me. That fire spread through me, like wildfire drowning, burning everything it touches to dust. I could hear the screams, the calls of help, the pleas. I did not bother to look back. I let the raging fire swallow me.
It burns me. It peels me. I let it lick my body in pain. Because when I'm done, I will rise. I will surge from the ashes of those who fell from my wrath.
I am the witch that became the death of the city. Amy.
---
I sucked in a lungful of air. My face wet from tears, my hand trembling with the anger.
It was all in my head.
The audience of the parade looked at me with fascinated concern. I realized the parade halted.
Another vision? Or not?
I could not even distinguish who I was from that mad woman.