Preface

It was so dark not the normal dark that did not scare me this was different this was a manufactured dark, this was smoke. I could not see anything because of it, so I felt my way to my door and turned the knob. All of a sudden there was a giant explosion, it sounded like it came from the barn, and it shook the house.

I could feel the flames on my face. The heat was so intense that it was cutting off the air to my lungs. I tried to walk down the hall but I crumpled to the floor because of coughing and not getting enough air.

The smoke was all around me and the flames were running to get me. I could not do anything, I could not move or breathe so I just laid there and waited for the end.

Suddenly I was floating, being taken away from the flames. All I could hear was a voice saying, "I'll get you out of here Vivian. I swear you will be fine." I opened my eyes to look at my savior and there was my dad. He was carrying me to safety.

"Ivan come on, we have to get out of here." I turned my head and saw the face of young Gabriel. He looked scared and I had never seen him scared before. I opened my mouth to say something but a sudden whimpering cut me off.

"Gabriel, take Vivian I need to check that out." I was thrown into Gabriel's unexpecting arms. I tried to get back to my dad, but Gabriel held me tight against him and Ivan took my face in his hands. "Vivian I need you to be strong. I will be out there right after you okay, but I need to check that out."

I shook my head and then we were running away from my dad. I tried to get out of Gabriel's arms but it was useless. He was too strong and right now I was just too weak. I could not fight it anymore, I was pulled underneath a heavy fog.

I felt eyes on me but I could not open my eyes. I could hear a voice crying out to me.

"Vivian, please stay with me. Just please open your eyes. Vivian listen to me please."

Finally we were outside. I could feel the cold air on my face, the shock of it snapped me back to reality. I was outside in Gabriel's arms. He's crying, I look around, everyone is crying. Wait what is going on? I opened my eyes and looked up at Gabriel.

"Gabe..." I groned. Gabriel jumps and grabs me into a huge hug.

"Vivian, your awake. Your okay." I looked up into his baby blue eyes and there was still tears in his eyes. I got nervous, everyone else is crying too. What am I missing?

"Gabriel, what happened? Why is everyone crying?" He looked down at me with concern and pity in his eyes.

"Vivian your dad, he..he..Vivian I'm so sorry."