Pirate-on-Fleet-Street - thanks for the advice. i'll try to slow down the pace
Mistress Beckett - Yay! thanks for reading! *hugs*
I'll try to update at least everyday. Here's chapter 2!
"Mama!" Joanna cried running toward the house. "Papa!"
She stopped a few feet away from the house. Where was Crystal? She was playing outside a few minutes ago. Joanna looked around finding no one. Could Crystal have wandered off? Did she run away from the fire? Was she smart enough to run and get help? No matter. Joanna could go look for her later. Right now she had to get inside and see if her parents were still alive. Joanna covered her face and kicked open the door. A huge burst of fire flew out of the door. Joanna covered her mouth and nose and went inside.
"Papa!" she called. "Mama! Papa, where are you?"
Joanna got no answer. The smoke was so bad she could barely see anything in front of her. Where could they be? Joanna went into the den. She saw nothing but flames and smoke. The furniture was burning, but no people. She went into the bedrooms. Maybe they could've gone in there. Nothing. Where else could they be? The kitchen!
"Mama? Papa?"
The heat was intense and the smoke was very thick in the kitchen. The fire might've started in here.
"Is anybody here?" Joanna called.
She coughed as the smoke entered her lungs. Her eyes watered from the smoke. She fell to her knees starting to feel weak. Joanna noticed a hand poking out from behind the table.
"Mama?"
She got up and walked to the table. Joanna screamed when she saw May's body lying on the floor. Her face was covered in black soot. She backed away from the body and tripped over something. What else could be in here? Joanna got up and found Crystal's body beginning to be engulfed in flames. She screamed as she ran out of the kitchen. Her mother and sister were dead. Where was Christopher? Where was her father? Joanna's question was answered as heard screaming. She turned around to see Christopher engulfed in flames. He grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Get out of here!" he yelled. "Get out!"
"Papa, you're on fire!" Joanna said.
"Run!"
Christopher pushed her to the door. Joanna watched as he fell to the floor. He would be dead in a matter of seconds. Tears came to her eyes as she ran out of the burning house. Joanna stood outside as she watched her home burn to the ground along with her family. What could've happened? Everything was perfectly fine before she left. There was nothing in the house that could set the house on fire. Nothing at all except…the oven! There was something wrong with it before she left. If only Christopher had it fixed like May asked, this never would've happened.
None of it mattered now. She was now alone. No family, no friends, no home. Where is she going to go? Where is she going to live? How is she going to survive on her own? Joanna turned to town and started walking. She needed to make up a new home for herself if she was going to go on living. Just because her family was gone, doesn't mean that everything had to end for her. Joanna wiped her eyes every once in a while as she thought about what she could use for a home. Some crates in an alley could do. It's not like she had the money to afford a house for herself.