Debut Flash: 'Set It on Fire' by H. A. Piacentino

A tiny demon lives in my pocket. She’s cute and her eyes burn with the flames of hell.

My science teacher calls me Henrietta and tells me to come to the front of the class. My name isn’t Henrietta and she knows that. The smiling faces of her children look up at me from the photos on her desk. “Set it on fire,” the demon says. I give my presentation about photosynthesis.

My first boss fires me then invites me to his exhibition. He says it’ll take my mind off things. He drives me to the gallery and shows me his Rothko rip-off. “Set it on fire,” the demon says. I tell my ex-boss it’s nice but I know nothing about art.

I come home one night to find my door smashed in, everything I own trashed or stolen. Someone’s taken a shit in my underwear drawer. “Set it on fire,” the demon says. I clean up the shit and call the police. I buy new underwear.

The man behind me in the queue follows me home from the supermarket in his red Volvo. I see him out front, staring at the house. “Set it on fire,” the demon says. I close my curtains, lock my door, and turn the TV up as loud as it goes.

The guy from the bar tells me I’m so middle class. He tells me so many people have it so much tougher. He’s not wrong. I leave when it’s light. “Set it on fire,” the demon says.

I set it on fire.