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“Come on, we need to get away from the car,” Vaughn said as she led the woman toward her truck. They grabbed the bags and stood watching the car burn for a moment, the white smoke now churning black, rising into the dark blueberry sky.

“I don’t understand,” the woman said, tearing up again. “It was running fine yesterday. And today, just out of nowhere, it started to overheat.”

“It’s hard telling,” Vaughn said. “Just be thankful you’re okay.”

“Yeah, that’s a bit hard to do right now. That was my only mode of transportation.” She wiped her tears with the back of her arm, lifting the grocery bags to do so. Vaughn gently took the bags from her, now carrying them all.

“I’m Vaughn, by the way. Vaughn Ruger.”

“Natalie Brewer.”

“Hi, Natalie.”

Vaughn went to place the bags in the extended cab of her truck.

“What are you doing?” Natalie asked.

“I’m loading up your goods.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m giving you a ride. Figured you’d just come with me to my place to wait for help. I’m just up the road a ways. ’Less you want to wait for the fire department. They’ll probably arrive soon enough.”

“I thought you said no one else would be out this way.”

“That was before your car blew, ma’am. Now with the heavy smoke and flames, the fire department will surely be notified. The wildfire risk is too high for them not to respond. So, what do you think? You want to come with me, or wait for them?”

Vaughn stared up at the sky again as she waited for Natalie to decide. Thunder boomed and more lightning veined the sky. Vaughn held onto her hat as small pellets of hail began to fall. She tried to lead Natalie to her truck by the elbow, but Natalie remained still, looking down at the hail as if in complete disbelief.

“This can’t be happening,” she said.

“You coming?” Vaughn asked as she crawled inside the safety of her truck.

Natalie glanced back at her and, after giving her a defeated look, finally rounded the truck and joined her. She crawled in next to Vaughn and slammed the door and they both sat in silence for a moment, gathering their thoughts. Vaughn grabbed a towel from the cab behind her and handed it over. Natalie took it eagerly and wiped her face while Vaughn rubbed her own face with her damp hands.

“Some storm, eh?” Vaughn said, turning down the radio.

“Mm.” Natalie appeared to be lost in thought, staring out through the hail-assaulted windshield. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Bad day?”

“The worst.”

Vaughn started the truck. Natalie swung her head around. She looked back to her burning car. “Ah, shit, my phone!” She started to reach for the door handle, but Vaughn stopped her.

“Wait, you can’t go.”

“I need my phone!”

Vaughn tightened her grip on her arm. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Let me go!”

But another loud bang shook the truck and they both crouched in response. When they looked back over at the car, Vaughn saw that the entire thing was now burning, leaving no room for debate about going for the phone.

“No!” Natalie said. “No, no, no!”

Vaughn tried to comfort her, but Natalie wanted no part of it. She just kept saying no and crying, tears streaming down her face. Vaughn, clueless as to what to do with the beautiful woman sobbing in her vehicle, did the only thing she could do. She drove away, leaving the burning Chevy on the side of the road to be consumed by the fire.