FlameOfHope the Waxit

You open your eyes and find yourself in darkness. There is a solid chair beneath you, and a sturdy floor under your feet. You can sense nothing else. No sound, no smell, no movement. You are alone in the silence.

You wave your hand in front of your face and see nothing. Should you call out? Should you stand up and try to explore? Anything could be out there. Terror grips your heart, and you tremble in your chair.

As if in answer to your fear, a bright flame sparks to life. It burns at the center of what you now see is a round room. An empty room, save for you, the chair, and the flame. You swear you can hear the flame whispering.

Curious, you leave your seat and approach the light. It floats freely, and its crackling voice grows louder as you near it. Eventually you can make out the words.

The flame tells you a story. It's the story of someone who has struggled. Someone who has faced great suffering in their time, and still continues onward. As you hear this person's story, you find yourself moved by their plight. You feel their pain, rejoice at their triumphs, and root for their dreams to come true.

"Who are they?" you ask when the flame falls quiet.

"The one whose heart is my home," it crackles. "I am the flame of the hope that burns within them. And I will burn forever."

The flame flares, blinding you momentarily. You shut your eyes tightly. Then you feel a presence, warm and familiar. You know without a doubt that it's the person the flame spoke of.

You open your eyes, and find yourself.

Written by @merit for the Inspirational Waxit Exchange