Emily's mouth ignited like a furnace midway through the night market frenzy, but she powered on undeterred.
Her plush lips already reddening from the first spicy onslaught, emerald eyes watering defiant as she darted stall-to-stall, high ponytail swishing with each impulsive grab.
At the chicken popcorn cart, the uncle dumped a heaping paper cone into her hands—golden nuggets crispy-battered, drowning in crimson chili flakes and black pepper dust that clung ferocious, oil-slicked and steaming.
She popped three at once, crunch exploding sharp on her tongue; heat bloomed instant volcanic, searing the roof of her mouth, flames licking down her throat in ruthless waves.
"More!" she gasped through the blaze, fanning her face frantic, but snatched a skewer next—tandoori chicken chunks charred black at edges, yogurt marinade turned fiery slurry from ghost pepper paste, juices dripping scalding onto her chin as she bit deep, meat tearing fibrous-hot.
