The tree burned in front of them now, but it all began before he was born. His mother had suffered a high fever throughout the pregnancy.
The doctors could find nothing wrong and she felt fine, but for nine months she was hot to the touch. When he was born her temperature fell.
When he was young his family would always remark about how cool his room was. Shivers occurred around him frequently. Problems began at 10.
His ball rolled into the fireplace. He cried before plunging his hand into the flame. As the limb moved closer the fire extinguished.
He complained of fever and went to bed. As he slept he cooled, but the air heated until the room was in flames. His family died that night.
By 16 it was controlled. He cooked steaks in his hand with heat from car engines. Match flames he stored for later like holding your breath.
Girls avoided him though. They didn't know what made him different but they got the chills near him and that was enough to drive them away.
He kissed a girl once. She fell asleep in his arms as her heart slowed and the cold took her over. He took her home and never called again.
Now her. He opened up to her. He had nothing left to lose. He struck the match. He took in the flame then threw it at the tree with force.
As it burned she cried for him, and decided to brave the cold. As she embraced him she listened as her tears sizzled like oil on his chest.
