Late One Summer Night
“Lucille!” I heard my parents shouting my name in the distance as I stared into the flames. “Hang on, baby, we’re coming! We’re coming!” The hungry flames roared as they grew and reached across the barn, consuming everything within sight.
Oh my god.
“Mom! Dad!” I raised my voice as high as I could, shouting into the air. “Help!” I crawled to my feet and stood, helplessly watching while the fire climbed up a nearby rafter, burning it free from the structure. It cracked and hissed, falling against the other side of the barn and blocking the doors. My mother cried out in terror at the loud impacting sound over my own shouts of horror. “No!” Tears fell down my face as I looked for another way out. “I can’t get out! Help! Help!”
Her voice returned, breaking through my cries. “Lucille! I need you to listen to me, baby! Okay? Listen to my voice!” I tried to ignore the dread in her words as she spoke. “Stay put, baby! We’re going to get you out of there!” I felt my consciousness wavering.
“How?” I shouted. Tears rolled down my cheeks as smoke filled the barn, making me cough and gag. I wanted to give up. Iwanted to give into the heavy sensation that was smothering me, but her voice kept me afloat during those dark thoughts.
“Lucille, stay with me!” Her words shook my soul. “Your father is coming! Do you hear me? He’s coming for you, baby!” I forced my eyes wide while using my shirt to shield my face from the smoke. “Boone, call 911! Hurry!” I tried not to panic hearing the fear in her voice. “Keep low and do whatever you can to not inhale the smoke!”
Please hurry. Oh, please hurry!
The flames roared as they grew into hungry beasts, filling the barn with smoke as it burned. I did as my mother had said and crouched, nearly lowering myself to the barn floor while I kept my mouth covered. Even still, it wasn’t much help.
I can barely see! The whole place is burning…there’s no way Dad will find a way in. Not before it’s all ash. This barn is old as could be, and not built like most. There’s no spare doors or windows…the only way he could possibly get in is through?—
I stopped and looked up at the old roof of the barn, noticing movement.
Is that?—
My eyes squinted and my dad’s face roughly appeared. He was standing on the roof, peeling the aged metal roofing back with his bare hands. He was frantic, his hands bloodied from forcing his way through the barn. “Lucille!” he shouted, looking down into the fire for me.
My soul lifted instantly. “Here!” I waved my hand around, standing. “I’m here!”
My father searched the smoke and spotted me from above. “Lucille! I see her!” I could hear my mother outside the barn shouting in relief. “Stay there! I’m coming, Lucille! Just stay put until I reach you!” I nodded, watching as he slowly lowered himself from the roof and into the small loft. The fire continued to grow monstrous, consuming most of the barn as it tookits time to chew away at its body. Pieces of the structure were falling , beams and paneling landing around me in every direction. It made my father’s rescue even more complicated, obstructing his path to me. And even worse, the very loft he was standing in was creaking from how weak it had become. Every step he took came with the risk of him falling and hurting himself…or worse.
“Memphis!” my mother called out. “Memphis, can you hear me?”
My father nodded as he balanced on an overhead beam, attempting to make his way down to the floor of the barn. “I hear you, Nellie!” I watched as best I could, smoke clouding my vision.
“Boone called the fire department and the others are here! We’re trying to put the fire out!” I heard raised shouts and voices as the others scattered around outside, trying to extinguish the fire. “Please, be careful!”
It’s going to be okay. We’re going to make it. We’re going to make it!
My father took a step along one of the remaining rafter beams. My shirt was no use against the thick, black smoke, and I began to nearly choke. I felt dizzy and wobbled, falling onto my hands and knees. My eyes, nostrils, and throat burned from inhaling it. I thought I was going to be sick. “Hey! I’m coming, Lucille! Just stay with me! Stay with me, Lucille!” My eyes were heavy. “Just hold on, okay?” He took a second step, carefully balancing his weight. “Stay with me!” My head slowly raised and my eyes met his. “Lucille—” We both froze at the sound of loud cracking. His face hardened into an emotion I had never seen before.
“Dad?” He didn’t move. “What is it?” I shouted. The wood cracked again, only louder.
His eyes slowly softened and stared back into mine. My stomach twisted. “I need you to close your eyes, Lucille.”
I looked up at him in confusion from across the barn and shook my head. “N-no…no!”
Why is he saying this? Why does he want me to close my eyes? He’s so close. We’re so close to getting out!
“Lucille.” He was oddly calm, and that scared me more than the fire. “Trust me, baby girl. Close your eyes.”
Why do you sound like this is the end? Like you’re giving up?
My head shook while tears flowed from my burning eyes. “Dad,” I cried out to him. “You’re almost here! Just hurry! Please?—”
“Close them. For me.” I blinked and slowly forced my eyes shut. “I love you, Lucille. Remember that, will you? I love you?—”
Another cracking sound shot through the barn, cutting off his voice, followed by a loud crashing sound and thud. Fear struck through my heart as I tried to piece together what happened.
“Dad?” I shouted, but he didn’t answer. “Dad! Answer me! Dad!” I refused to open my eyes, clawing at the barn floor as it all began to make sense.
