Quiet Fire

Awarded 1st place in Round 46 (8 Jun 08) of the "The Hint Fiction Contest" 

         Curled edges of quiet fire lay in deep piles. Once vibrant and alive, they now lay broken and discarded. Tossed about by the wind and rake, those which had once provided shelter and life to many, have one task to fulfill.

         Screaming with delight, the child dives into the safety of the pile of leaves.