Best Spot

The fire glows deep orange and red, inside its small stone circle. A sunset of my very own making, just for me to enjoy.

It calmly crackles upon the ashy, blackened logs. I scoot forward and perch on the ledge, getting as close as possible.

The cold darkness presses against my back while the flickering flames quickly warm my arms. Slowly my legs inch closer, as if completely independent.

The warmth feels too good to be true, reminding me of a long-lost memory.

The sticky sweet thought comes to mind with an unfamiliar ease;: aA gooey, golden mallow, smooth melty chocolate, and a crunchy cookie cracker. The recollection of smells and tastes fill my senses and I feel myself begin to relax.

Suddenly the memory is ripped from my mind, replaced by a painful itch. I dig my untrimmed nails into my legs, which have grown red hot from sitting too near.

The sensation seems endless and I continue to scratch, leaving long white lines upon my rosy skin. The irritation must be inside my bones rather than on the surface.

The pain is too much for me to bear. I jump up from my seat on the heated rocks and plunge into the fresh, icy air.

My hair slowly rises, and goose bumps grow upon my skin, but now I don’t mind the cold.

It’s too easy to get distracted in a cozy environment, surrounded by beautiful sights. Distraction means lack of protection, and I must always stay alert.

There is a circle of darkness surrounding the fire, and it seems to breathe with the wind. After surveying the area, I make my way to a tree stump along the edge of the fire light and begin to settle in.

It’s safer out here; harder for anything to see me. There are also a few clear paths of escape, just in case.

Although the heat barely reaches my feet, I know that this is the best spot to camp. The best spot to stay safe. The best spot for me to admire my sunset fire.