Previously on The Burn Arc…
I made some healthy friendships when I was over there. Part 1: Bromance I met Sara. I thought she would be a break from what I usually attracted. Then I did drugs for the first time, was roofied, gaslit, and she stole my translation book. Part 2: The First Time I Was Roofied
The Burn Arc. It’s not a sequel or prequel; it’s a side quest of The Friend Web parts 1 and 2, 3, and 4. The rest will come out when I get the chance. Parts 1 and 2: The Real King and Queen of Homecoming Part 3: I Was Given a Key to Their Bedroom Part 4: The Porn Capital of the World
Other side stories related in the Webiverse. A Gay Gym, a Blush, and a Wink I Loved You in the Darkness is a side quest as well, though it’s so happy that I don’t think of them together.
Burnt Out Chapter 1 Thousand and 4 2007
I forgot about one detail after I put Sara to bed. She was hungry and so was I. I went to get food, but there was not much was open that late. There was a place with kabobs and a line. I sighed. Oh great.
Someone came from behind. I never saw his face, but I saw his leather jacket and disturbing logo on the patch. I was in a poorer neighborhood, and the line was mostly nonlocals. This man, whose face I never saw, grabbed my arm and pulled me to the front.
He had swastikas on the jacket. I was in the care of a Neo Nazi.
I hated that I put myself in a situation where I couldn’t handle him due to being so altered.
He pointed to me and made a big show about how I would get food first. I apologized with my eyes to everyone I cut. The people behind the counter looked scared.
One gave me the do what you do look. I whispered I’m sorry, I can’t. Who knows what I smoked, the roofie, and who knew what else was causing me to see things that weren’t there or hear what might be there?
I couldn’t do justice this time, even when I was the one who appeared to be benefitting.
I held my head and ordered softly. I said in the local language I’m sorry after every sentence. I tipped like hell and ran like hell.
I think I heard laughter.
A related story at the time is about a mobster. Cut to the gym a time before or after. If you’ve read me, you’ll know I’m talking about “The Gay Gym.” He tried to get me off his workout machine, but it wasn’t his. I told him he could have it when I was done. He was speechless. So were his goons.
They said okay and would come back. Carlos came to me later and said what the fuck was that? I said what? He asked do you know who that was? I asked who? He laughed and said that is whoever and ever of whatever and ever. I asked if he was on a soccer team or something. He then realized I had no idea and whispered details of the people to be careful around.
I didn’t remember the details. Only when I told someone else did I learn I pissed off the mob.
Fire from the Sun Chapter 1 Thousand and 7 2007
I went to Sara the next class and demanded my book. She said be cool you’ll get it just let me use it in this other place first. You already know the local language and your next location isn’t even in the book and mine is.
I could see smoke coming from the ears of Andrea and Cassie.
I respected Sara’s logos-based argument and said okay.
Or I wanted her to want me so much I allowed it.
Grooming and abuse are terrible. I believe Sara would know.
I was on another continent admiring my de Nial.
Guess who called. Guess who answered. You already know.
She told me about the guy at the hotel, he was mean and wanted more money. She put me on the phone with him and he told me to fuck off.
I called back from my phone and told him to be careful or I was coming, and did he really want that? He said no.
I got a text five minutes later that everything worked out and he was really nice, and I was rude to him when she put me on the phone.
The next time in class I demanded my book. She giggled and said she didn’t have it with her. I whispered does this look like a game? She laughed some more.
I went to one admissions counselor or some similar where I had built a rapport and some trust. Maybe a little more. Call her Dana. She was only a few years older, so it wasn’t as weird.
But, as I type this, in my memory, I now see what was happening.
She looked just like
I said I was sorry to interrupt, Dana, I really needed a minute. I said we only talk outside school hours, so I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.
She grabbed her cigarettes, and we smoked on the terrace.
I told her about the burn out, the roofie, and the book.
She took a few deep breathes. She couldn’t look at me.
We didn’t even know each other’s names, but there was a fire attraction or something,
She finally started talking and her voice broke. I came in to hold her and she cried, “NO! STOP! PLEASE. THAT’S YOUR PROBLEM!”
I asked what?
Dana said you know, I was and am that girl with the book, and I would never give it back to you if it meant I never saw you again.
I started to lose my balance, and she sat me down.
She said she needed to stop “us” right there and she was sorry.
I said there is no us, is there? She said we both want it and don’t, and you know it’s true.
I couldn’t look at her, though I wasn’t mad. Someone finally spit on mud and put it on my eyes and outted herself in the process.
She said you are too good for the company you keep. I paraphrased a superhero or Jesus for why I had to continue, and she firmly interrupted saying No!
Dana said she might have dangled me the rest of the time I was there, maybe not, and she could now see how cruel that was. I said but I like you too, and then she turned red around her eyes
She said we are done, say goodbye to your book, and be careful out there. Many people have no values but take from those who do, herself included.
She warned me to watch my back, guard my heart, and secure my soul.
I asked why she told me this now.
Dana said how couldn’t she with people like Sara and seeing what she has done?
She gave me a hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek and said goodbye in the local language.
I said we can still hang, and she said she didn’t trust herself around me.
I took her advice as best I could.
The next class I told Sara she was giving me my book. She took it out and gave it to me. Then I deleted her number and walked away to Cassie and Andrea who scowled at her, and I hadn’t told them anything with my words.
Dim it.
Please don’t forget my book. If you like my writing, then you’ll love it. If you don’t buy it, that’s fine; I haven’t checked my sales. I’m not even sure I know how. Plus, I’m not here to sell to friends and support.
However, word of mouth goes so far. Recommend it to your friends. If you hate my writing, recommend it to your frenemies and enemies.
Please like, leave comments, share, and restack if anything really works. I might not get more traction and algorithm love without it.
If you feel the want, then you could buy my daughter time at daycare. It’s a want, but not a need. I can make it happen either way.
I do have two polls. I’m wondering about followers who don’t sub, people who don’t follow or sub but read everything, and emails.
Most Amazing and engaging series on my feed nowadays
I’d like to read parts 1 and 2 but non of your other works have the same title as this one making it difficult to find