PART ONE

Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal.

~Dante Alighieri

"I'm afraid I don't know what to do with you two." 

Olivia Hallet and Kyler looked down to the floor in shame, they couldn't face their foster mother. 

This was the sixth time they've been returned to Maria because of some sort of incident at their adopted families home.

And every time that incident is caused by the eleven year old Liv.

"Liv what happened this time sweety?" Maria asked her in a gentle tone.

Liv whimpered and looked up. "I don't know Maria. I never know. Things just happen." She cried, getting up from her seat. "Sit down Olivia! I want you to count to sixty twice then you may speak again." Maria said turning to face Kyler. "Kyler please tell me what happened." 

"One, two, three..." Liv started bitterly as she squirmed in her seat.

Maria sighed. "Please Kyler. This family will press charges if I can't do anything about it." 

Kyler looked up and straitened his shirt. 

"There was a fire," He started softly, looking at his sister, before continuing. "Jake and I awoke to the smell of smoke and the screams from the fire alarm. We were so scared we went to get ur parents. They asjed us where Liv and Amy were but I didn't know so when I couldn't find them, I ran down to the livingroom to find Liv passed out on the floor, the fire creeping towards her and behind her engulfed in the flames was Mr and Mrs. Shiva's youngest daughter America. I don't know what happened Maria, all I know is Amy is in intensive care and on the verge of death and  my sister-" "You don't think I did it do you?!" Liv yelled, jumping up from her seat. "I never hurt anyone Maria! Never!" "Sit down Liv, please. I don't think you did do it, I just want to know what happened." Maria said as Liv relaxed and sat back down. "What were you and America doing that night Liv? Lets start with that." Maria sighed, starting over towards Liv. She took Liv's hands in her own and looked into her eyes. "Olivia please tell me what you can remember alright." Maria asked softly.

Liv nodded and turned to look at her brother. "Amy wanted to watch the lightning that night, but from her bedroom window she couldn't see anything, the sky was covered by rows of houses, so her and I started down stairs. Amy had her face pressed into the window when it started." "When what started?" Maria asked, leaning in closer to hear. Liv sighed, "When the fire started. It was weird-" "What do you mean weird?" Maria cut in. Liv groaned. "It didn't act like fire, it creeped along the floor like it was a person." She sighed in frustration before continuing again. "It came out of the kitchen and started into the livingroom. I was so afraid, afraid for both Amy and I. I jumped onto the couch and went to grab Amy but something pulled me down and away from her. I was struggling and in the midst, I had smacked my head on the coffee table. I had fought to maintain consciousness and watched as the fire grabbed ahold of Amy and that was it." "Don't tell lies Liv!" Kyler yelled. "I'm not lying you big git! I never hurt America and you know it!" Liv protested, clenching her fists until the knuckles turned white. "How much of the house was in flames?" Maria sighed, turning towards a seething Kyler. His brows furrowed together as he contimplated on what was being asked. "Just the livingroom, nothing else, not even the furniture." He muttered, confusion clear on his face. "Ha see! I'm not lying. What type of fire doesn't burn anything that is around it, huh?" Liv exclaimed. "No fire." Maria replied. "But it doesn't make any sense. Things like that don't just happen." "It's happened six times Maria, someone always either dies or gets seriously injured wherever we end up, and Olivia is always present when it happens." Kyler explained. Maria looked at him. 'This is the first time I'm hearing this. Olivia what is this I'm hearing about more incidents at your foster homes?" Liv looked up at Maria, her soft golden eyes twinkling in the florescent light. "Yes you're right. But I can't explain it Maria! It's not my fault!" "What has happened at those houses that I need to know Liv." Maria demanded, standing up and starting towards her desk. She had her hand preased to her forehead and a worried expression crossed her face. "Olivia what's happened!" Liv jumped and looked at Maria. "Some of them where the same as this one, fire, others where objects that I can't move on my own lunging at the person or crushing them. Whenever I think about this, it's as if someone or something doesn't want me there. I would never hurt anyone Maria, I sware." Liv explained, turning to look at her brother. He was squirming in his seat looking highly uncomfortable. Liv frowned.

All Kyler is trying to do is protect Liv, as he has been for ten years. "You children are getting too old for the foster system, sooner or later no one will adopt you. Kyler has about two years left before he is sent out on his own." "Maria I don't want to be alone. I want him with me, please don't make him go." "Baby girl he's not the problem, you are." "But I need him. Without him-" Liv stopped talking and looked down at the ground, tears falling from her eyes.

"You're never alone Olivia." A soft voice whispered in her ear. She could feel someone rubbing her back in a soothing matter but she didn't look up or stop crying. "Liv I'm not taking your brother from you. You will be able to live your life like a normal child, I will call Mr. Shiva and ask him to drop the charges, they might loose their daughter but I'm not going to allow them to throw an innocent child into jail for something she didn't do. Kyler I want you to watch her please, here and at who's ever home you're at next. What ever this is, it will not kill anyone else." Maria said, opening the door to her office. "Now go play, both of you. And keep watch of her Kyler, please." 

Kyler and Liv both got up from their seats and started out of the office.

Maria sighed and closed the door behind them, then started towards the phone. 

She quickly dialed Mr. Shiva's number. 

It rang twice before a very disheveled, very upset Mr. Shiva answered.

"Hello Ron, it's Maria Bonsuelo from Grandview Foster Care." "Maria, I'm not really in the mood for this. Has Olivia fessed up or not?" He growled. "I'm afraid not, one because she didn't do it and two I would believe her story over yours. Olivia would never hurt your daughter Ron and you know it. Please will you drop the charges and leave the poor child alone. I am truly sorry about your daughter but there's nothing I can do about it." Maria hung up the phone and sighed, slumping into the chair. 

"That poor poor child." Maria sighed.