Prologue…

The hood of night slips on to drape the park in the dreary dreadful gray of winter. I skulk along desolate, tangled pathways and creep within the shadows of looming boulders. Leaving the lights of the city far behind. Broken bottles, dog shit, stubs of cigarettes.

Going to the private wood. Crawling close to the ground, hiding behind bushes. Silent, stealthy. Creature of the forest. My black Lycra a slick body glove, camouflaged head to toe. Only my eyes, holding no expression at all, exposed to track movements on the darkness.

Snowfall. Perfect for a short walk in the woods, or a screw in a car…roll the windows up, release stale heat from slatted vents, tune the radio to something slow.

Perched on a heavy limb of black oak, waiting, for show time.

And then, by the light of the full moon, watching, as she strikes a bargain with another three–minute lover. On her knees, head bobbing, in synchronized rhythm. His taut legs spread, back arched. Urgent moans rising as he grips her head to home base, far too eager to finish this cheap love song.

Rinsing her mouth with dirty snow, she laughs to herself, relieved that the chore is over. Her hands tremble as she reaches into her bag for a cigarette, the light of the flame faintly reveals her lips. She walks up over the hill to meet another.

The one all the waiting has been for.

Inhale, life. Exhale, death.

Who am I?

I am Fire.

Burning… burning… burning.