Page 70

“Anna?” I hear her. I can’t see her through the flames and debris.

“I’m here, where are you?” I call out.

“Get out! It’s no use,” I hear her voice. I spot her face for a brief second before flames lick higher and cover her from my view once more.

“No, I won’t go without you,” I say, desperately scanning the room, looking for a way to get to her. There’s so much debris. Pieces of the wood beams lie broken and on fire. There are giant chunks of wall piled on the floor.

“Anna, my love, listen to me. You can’t get to me, and even if you could, I’m pinned under a beam. It’s no use.” I hear her voice waver, and I feel hot tears splash my cheeks.

“I’m not leaving you,” I say, my voice cracking on the last word.

“Anna, I won’t break my promise I made to your mother when you were born. I promised I would always take care of you if anything ever happened to her. You will not die trying to save me,” she says. I hear her coughing, and I know she’s probably inhaled a lot of smoke.

“I’ll go get help,” I cry out.

“Anna, just get out, please,” she says.

I’m crying now. “I love you, Auntie Lara,” I say.

“I know, my love. I know. You’re the closest thing I’ve had to a daughter, and you’ve made my life a better one. Now go live yours,” she says, her coughing growing more prominent with each word.

“I’m getting help,” I call out.

I run from the room. I hear the voices of what I presume to be firefighters down the hall. “Down here!” I yell and sputter on smoke. I continue toward my father’s room. I try to open the door, but the handles are so hot, I wince. I take off my shirt, wrap it around my hand and turn the knob.

I back up as flames burst from the doorway.

“Daddy!” I yell and cough.

“Anna?” I hear him. I turn and see the door open to the suite where Uncle Eddie stays when he visits. I’m about to run inside when I hear a crack above me.

“Anna!” I turn just in time to see Logan running at me, motioning for me to move with his arms. I start to step to the side, and then everything goes black.

To be continued…