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The company pickup is still in the driveway. I scan the glowing red windows, searching for Samantha or Hal. But I don’t see them. The smoke soon makes it impossible to view inside the house.

Jonathan yanks at Ryan’s window, but it doesn’t budge. Flames lick across the roof of the porch, right beneath him. His fists beat on the glass, trying to break it. Nothing’s working.

Coughing, Ryan sets his hand on the glass.

“I’ll get you out!” Jonathan screams, setting his hand over his brother’s.

“Jonathan!” I scream. “The porch is on fire!”

The flaming tongues creep around the wood, devouring foot by foot.

“I’m coming to get you!” Jonathan yells, then coughs into his elbow as the smoke engulfs him.

He scrambles to the edge of the porch and by the time he reaches for the tree, Ryan is no longer in the window.

I can’t stand here and do nothing.

I run up the stone steps. Pulling my sleeve over my hand, I turn the doorknob and shove the door open.

Flames dance on every surface. I spot a clearing in the middle of the room that leads to the fireplace, allowing me to reach the edge of the stairs. Covering my mouth and nose with my sweatshirt, I make a run for it. But as soon as I enter, the smoke overtakes me, burning my eyes and disorienting me. I squint in search of the fireplace, letting it be my beacon.

I’m nearly to the stairs when I trip over something and sprawl onto the floor.

It’s a body.

Hal’s body.

I push up to my feet and sprint up the stairs. Someone’s yelling. It urges me forward. My head swims, and tears stream out of my eyes. I don’t stop moving.

I have to get to him.

I have to get to Ryan.

I grab hold of the railing for purchase. When I reach the landing, the entire floor’s on fire. His door is only steps away. I cry out for him.

A loud groan and deafening snap knock me off balance as the landing burns away.

I can’t get to him.

I can’t reach him.

I turn back before I’m lost too.

Jonathan’s at the bottom of the stairs, holding his arms out to me. Halfway down, my foot falls through a board. I crash against the railing.

It gives way.

I fall over the side of the staircase and land hard on my stomach. The railing follows after me, pinning me in place.

Flames race along the spindles and begin to burn away my sweatshirt. My skin.

I scream.

Jonathan shoves the burning wood off me and lifts me to my feet, slapping at the burning fabric to extinguish it.

We hold onto each other, seeking the light seeping through the open door. It feels so far away. Breathing is too hard. I stumble and collapse to my knees.

Jonathan cradles me in his arms and navigates through the smoke as the flames chase after us. My head collapses against his shoulder.