Red Hot Oven [Fiction]

The trembling shook me awake. I had no idea how long I'd been out but the feeling was familiar.

Yes, I remember. That was how my sisters were taken. Such moments were always happy ones—a home was waiting for us.

Our stories ended well because humans loved to own a piece of us. We too looked forward to the day they came searching, so we could be loved, pampered, cherished. That was when our true selves were revealed. We shone and sparkled like the sun.

The last time the earth shook like that, my sisters and I tried to stay together but the trembling split us apart. The contraption the humans used to tear through the grounds pushed me farther away.

And like that, my sisters were gone. It was bittersweet. I was sad they were gone but happy they had found a home.

Rain fell. Wind blew covering up the grounds. Other sisters drew closer and we stayed that way, clumped together, waiting for the humans to return.

I couldn't tell how many moons passed but the trembling was the sign. They were here again.

The grounds split open. I was dug out with my sisters and dropped in a metal container. We squealed with excitement only to realise the humans had covered their ears.

“Argh! What's that noise?” their leader asked.

“I don't know, boss,” another human shrugged. “Seems these ones are different.”

“Shhh, enough. Be silent, girls,” I cautioned, watching the humans through a tiny hole in the mud.

Their leader crouched, peering at us closely. “These ones may be more valuable.”

We held onto each other, excited and expectant. The humans brought us into a large building and my excitement faltered.

The place was hot, like an oven. Humans moved around in monstrous gear that covered their heads and faces.

Anxiety and fear set in just before my sisters and I were rolled on a metal platform into blazing fire. I screamed and blacked out.

When I forced my eyes open, I gazed right into the hazel eyes of a female human. Her hands were warm, rubbing over me as she cooed and grinned in admiration.

Yes, this was what I had longed for. But the journey had been traumatic, unforgettable.

Her delight softened the memory of the pain. Becoming who I was had been worth it. She worshiped me, almost reverently, as a male human brushed his lips across hers and draped me around her neck.

I settled gently against her soft and warm scented skin.

I was home.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "red hot oven".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{Image credit: temsin_}