Black smoke filled her lungs. Her heart was racing as she clambered up the stairs, choking on the dense air. "Lily!"she yelled. "Desmond!"
She heard coughing in response and burst through the door at the top of the stairs. They had to get out soon before the whole house came down. "Answer me!"
The coughing was coming from a closet at the far side of the room. One of the planks from the ceiling had come down and was beginning to catch fire. She ducked around it and felt the closet door.
"Stand back! Shield your eyes!"
After counting to three her leg came up to kick the door in. Lily was inside, her arms wound around Desmond. She immediately scooped Desmond up (he looked to be in worse shape than his younger sister) and turned. "Lily, hold the hem of my pants," she said hurriedly, "and don't let go no matter what."
Her siblings with her, the young woman fought back across the room, barreled through the door, and nearly flew down the stairs. Once outside there was no time to collapse on the ground and grieve. Houses were on fire all around them.
"Echo," someone called.
Still holding her brother, the girl turned at the sound of her name. It was Archie, a trusted friend. She quickly made her way to him. Lily rushed into the mans waiting arms. But his face was ashen.
"'sabelle was inside," he huffed, soot streaking across his face. "I couldn't get to her. . .they shot the flame into her room. . ."
Without waiting for him to finish, Echo set her brother down at Archie's feet, then tore off to circle the house. Isabelle was the man's niece; his only remaining family. Her window faced the small stream near the forest. An oak tree stood beside it. Without pausing for thought Echo removed her scarf from her neck and placed it around the tree. Securing it around both hands, she tugged. It would hold. Then she placed both feet on the trunk and began to climb. It seemed like ten minutes had passed when she finally reached the window and leaped inside.
Isabelle was huddled in the corner nearest the window, one of the ceiling beams keeping her in place. Echo grimaced before kneeling beside the poor child. "Iz, can you move?" she asked.
The girl just stared at Echo. The beam was resting on her leg, which was bent at an odd angle. "Isabelle, bite down on this," she said hurriedly, producing her scarf. She helped the girl get it into her mouth. "Bite on it hard when I move the beam."
Echo stood, wrapping her arms around the beam. She pulled upward, trying to block out the scream Isabelle gave as the wood was removed from her leg. "Move!" she yelled, unable to hold the beam for much longer.
The fire was moving closer. Isabelle had moved and Echo was looking around the room. Their exit was blocked by hungry orange flames. Then she saw the curtains. Thinking fast, she ripped the curtains from their hold and began knotting the ends together. Once that task was complete she began tying one end around Isabelle's waist before helping the girl stand.
"I will lower you out the window," she said. "When you get down there you must untie yourself quickly if I am to make it too. ARCHIE!" she bellowed as they reached the window. The man appeared below as Echo began lowering the girl out. It took all her strength and took what felt like hours until Isabelle landed safely in her Uncle's arms. Now it was Echo's turn. When she turned to tie her end of the curtain to the bed post, however, she found the bed aflame. Startled, she backed up, the heat too much for her.