Anastasia Hart felt like her world was crashing down around her. The smoke was thick in the air as her father wrapped his arms around her and whisked her out the door. "No matter what happens," he said. "You stay out here." With a quick kiss to her forehead, her father sprinted back into the small home that was quickly becoming engulfed in huge flames that burned bright on the night sky.
The the young woman, no more than fifteen, stood, rooted to the spot, her face and hair covered in ash and soot. She let out a scream as the roof of her beloved home caved in, claiming both of her parents inside. She dropped to her knees, anguish and fear threatening to rip her body in two. A keening sob escaped her throat.
She was alone.
Ana knew not how long she knelt there, her night dress covered in dirt and ash. She just knew that it was a long time before he sun rose and the flames slowly began to die down. Swallowing thickly, she shakily climbed to her feet, her brown eyes glued to the crumbled pile of smoldering wood that had once been her home. Throat sore from screaming, the young girl turned and slowly started making her way to town, looking half lifeless.
She did not know how to be alone, but she knew that she was going to have to learn.
