Page 25 of Burning Escape (Chasing Fire: Alaska #3)

Smoke already hung in the air, and ash rained down like snow.

“The crew is already out fighting the fire at the flank, trying to redirect it. We can drop some equipment, maybe some water on the structures. But there isn’t anyone else here and no way to get to you.” Tucker’s voice crackled over the radio.

Tori released a short breath. It wasn’t enough. “We’ll take what we can get.”

“I’ll let you know when we’re ready for the drop.”

Tori walked over to Orion, who was handing out tools to a line of men, teenagers, and young girls. “They’ll drop some water to help save the structures, some equipment too, but everyone is out fighting the fire. There’s no one left to help.”

He nodded. “We’ll get started on the line on the west side. The river to the north will hopefully protect that side. Can you show the women how to use the flamethrower and burn any underbrush around the structures? We have burlap we can use too when that time comes.”

“I’ll teach them that, but then I’m coming back here. You can’t operate a chain saw with your shoulder in a sling.”

“I’ll use the Pulaski one-handed.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.

But Tori didn’t like this. She quickly showed Mara, Joann—who carried Josiah in a baby sling—and Gabby the flamethrower and gave them a shovel and burlap to put out any little fires that might get out of hand.

Hannah watched and listened. When Tori was finished explaining, Hannah pointed to her finger. “Why aren’t you wearing your ring?”

Shoot. Tori had forgotten to put her tracker ring on before leaving. “I think we have more important things to worry about, like keeping everyone safe.”

Hannah’s lips thinned. “I’ll take another group of girls if you have another flamethrower. We can start on the other end.”

Tori showed her the tools in the trailer and left. She hiked out to the west of the commune, where the men were already at work cutting down trees and clearing a line.

“Can I come with you?” Gabby skipped behind her. “The other ladies can do the burning.”

“It’s dangerous, kiddo. And heavy work. You’ll be dragging big branches and?—”

“I can do that. And I won’t complain. At all.”

She was so eager to help. And hey, maybe her energy and enthusiasm would be a boost. Tori couldn’t think about the chances of them actually pulling off the fire line in time. Not at the rate the fire was moving.

“All right. Come with me.”

Orion hadn’t been lying about what he could accomplish with one good arm.

He’d gripped his Pulaski in his right hand and was quickly breaking up the soil.

One of the little boys came after him with a raking tool and cleared out vegetation.

Abraham and another man worked on felling trees and limbs.

One group moved north toward the river. Orion’s group extended the line south.

They’d probably curve east eventually. Tori directed Gabby and some of the older girls on how to drag away the branches before she grabbed another chain saw.

Lord, please protect us.

She joined Orion’s crew and started mowing down limbs, stealing fuel from the raging monster on its way.

Sweat and ash covered their faces, sawdust flecked their hair.

Though the muscles in her arm screamed at the exertion, she pressed on.

She had to hand it to the group. They worked hard.

And they needed to. Everyone in this community depended on it.

The smoke thickened. Some of the younger children brought water for them and handkerchiefs to tie around their noses and mouths.

But they didn’t let up. They couldn’t. The fire certainly wouldn’t.

And it was coming. By now they could hear the crackle and dull roar.

Orion stopped a moment and pushed the damp hair off his forehead. “This is bad. Don’t know if it will be enough.” He sucked in a few deep breaths.

Her arms were shaking as she set down the chain saw. “We need the aerial support. I’ll check on it.”

Tori called in. “Midnight Sun, this is Tori. What’s the ETA on that water drop?”

The voice on the other side of the radio came through. “The scooper is grabbing water right now. They’re on their way.”

“Drop it on the structures. We’re going to need all the protection we can get.”

“ETA is seven minutes.”

“We’ll be ready.”

Orion sent word up the line. “We won’t be hit with the water here, but we need to make sure everyone in the area knows.”

Tori turned to Gabby. “Go make sure everyone back at the commune is inside a building until the water drops. Then they can go back to whatever they were doing. Run!”

The girl threw down the branch she’d been dragging and took off.

Amos walked over to them, his face flushed, hair matted down, wet with perspiration.

Orion told him about the drop. “We still have a chance to evacuate, but that window is closing fast. If we can get everyone to the Brinks’, there’s a bus?—”

“I already told you,” Amos said as he shook his head, “we’re staying. The Lord will protect us.”

“How can you be so sure?” Tori asked him.

“He brought you.” Amos turned and went back to where one of the other men had cut down a small spruce. Amos dragged it over the fire line.

Orion looked at Tori. “We better get the line finished.”

The sound of an engine broke through the din of chain saws.

Finally.

Everyone on the line stopped and looked up.

Within seconds, a cool mist rained down on them, the majority of the water hitting the commune just as they’d requested.

Orion grinned at Tori. The air felt clearer, the water dispelling some of the smoke.

Hopefully, it soaked the buildings enough to protect them from flying sparks.

They might have a chance at this.

Gabby ran back, sopping wet and laughing. “That was fun!” Her smile was infectious.

“Everyone okay?” Tori asked her.

She nodded and grabbed another branch to move.

The whine of another engine broke through the trees as Tori bent down to pick up her chain saw.

“Is the airplane coming back?” Gabby paused.

“Not this soon.” More engines sounded. From slightly different directions.

A gunshot went off.

Orion dropped his Pulaski and rushed up the slight incline to the west. He pulled out a small pair of field binoculars and scouted the area.

He suddenly spun around and yelled to Tori, “Get the girls and run!”

“What is it?” She wasn’t going anywhere until she knew what threat was coming.

He sprinted back to her, a stormy look in his eyes she only saw when he was facing down people like Wayne Osborne.

“You’ll never believe—” He grunted and snatched his Pulaski up, not bothering to finish his statement.

“We have to go!” he shouted to the others in the line and waved them toward the commune.

“Ry, what’s going on? Who is it?” Tori stopped him.

He dropped his voice low. “Who do you know with a fleet of ATVs and guns?”

Tori’s breath caught. “You don’t think?—”

“Yes, I do. Get those girls out of here. The militia is back!”