The Candle Flickers - Part 2 I rush into the room, catching my breath at the roaring blaze. The candle has fallen onto the carpet, and Alyssa's bed is surrounded by flames. I try to yell her name, but the smoke chokes me and the flames are too loud anyway. I head back into the bathroom, filling cups with water and throwing them into the flames. It quenches them, but they leap back to #life. I can't think of what to do, so I knock on every door I can, getting as much help as possible. After several minutes of frantic unsuccessful activity, the fire brigade arrive. We cannot evacuate or the mistress will dismiss us, so we are guided into a smoke-free room. I am badly scathed from the flames, but all I want to do is find Alyssa. Everyone reassures me, tells me she'll be right as rain in no time at all, but I'm not so sure. After what seems like hours, a fireman comes into the room and tells us the fire has been quenched. He tells everyone to have a good night, but invites me to the ambulance. "Will I see Alyssa? The girl in the fire?" I ask frantically. He is either ignoring me, or he cannot hear. I sit in an ambulance while the palace's doctors and nurses check me over. Apart from a few burns that will heal with drugs, I'm fit to go back. I beg to see Alyssa, my friend, but they're all shouting to each other, and I'm being pushed away. I cry, but the more I cry, the tighter my chest feels, and a few seconds later, I collapse to the ground.

The Candle Flickers - Part 1 I lay down in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It is only black now. The candle at my bedside lets off only a dim light, silhouetting the wooden furniture that stands around the room. I can hear Alyssa's deep breathing, and it fills the room with a feeling of comfort and a warm sensation runs through my body. But suddenly the candlelight fades, and the sound of breathing turns to a sound of terror. I touch Alyssa's shoulder softly, nervous of how she would react. To my astonishment, she opens her eyes. I can see the whites of her eyes clearly in the dark, but I cannot see her expression. She isn't wearing her glasses, so I wonder if she can see me. "What on earth is it, Zoe?" She whispers. She sounds worried, tired, and even irritated. "I'm afraid, Alyssa." I reply. "Don't be ridiculous. It's dark when you close your eyes, anyway." I try and close my eyes, but I simply can't. It's too dark. Alyssa can feel me fidgeting, so she sighs and tells me to light a candle. I tug open the curtain and let the moonlight flood through the room. It gives just enough light for me to make out the box of matches on Alyssa's bedside table. I light the candle and leave it there. "Now, goodnight." I whisper, closing the curtain and going back into bed. I eventually drift asleep. I awake at around midnight, and head out into the corridor, the candle still strong. Alyssa is fast asleep, but tossing and turning, so I tread as carefully as I can. I head into the bathroom, look into the mirror and sort myself out, humming to myself happily, before heading back to the room. I can see the light from here. A flickering candle glowing in the moonlight.