Stella had lost consciousness. She is dreaming. In her dream, she was walking in a circular clearing in a forest surrounded by trees. She's wearing a long-sleeved, long white gauzy dress. She's barefoot. She has a wreath of flowers on her head. She's gliding on the grass. She feels centered. She is at peace. She is moving towards something but doesn't know what.
"Stella."
She turns around. It's Kelly. He's dressed in a blue suit. It brings out his eyes. He's smiling at her and reaching out his hand.
"Come on."
She smiled at him. He looks so handsome.
"Where are we going?"
She looked down for a split second. She looked up, still smiling.
Kelly wasn't in a suit anymore. He was in his turnout gear and helmet. She looked around. They were surrounded by flames. Everything was on fire. He reached out a gloved hand. He said something but his mask was muffling his words.
"What? Kelly, what are you saying? I can't understand."
In her dream, she started to back away from him. She heard someone calling her name but they were far away. "Stella… Stella…"
"Stella, come on. Stella, wake up, baby. Wake up."
"What? Why are you saying that, Kelly."
"Come with me. We have to get out of here." Kelly muffled.
"Kelly, you should come in here with me," Stella said beckoning him. The clearing she was in, was perfectly calm, quiet and unscathed. It seemed like it was in a bubble, protected from everything. Where Kelly stood was chaos, smoke and burning trees. No, she wanted to stay where she was. But she wanted Kelly with her.
"Kelly, come in here with me."
Kelly took off his mask, his face smudge with black soot. "Stella, I can't come in there with you. You have to come out with me. Please…Stella. Open your eyes. Come on, baby. Wake up."
Stella heard Kelly's voice. It almost sounded like it was coming from a loud speaker with the volume turned all the way down so she could barely make out the words being said. She desperately wanted to open her eyes but she couldn't move. She couldn't open her eyes. "Kelly, I'm here." She thought. "Please help me."
Kelly quickly made his way to the tree line. His flashlight skimmed over the tire tracks and led him to a tree that looked like it had been hacked down with a screwdriver. It was gouged and splintered. There was further destruction past this tree and he continued into the forest. He car was about 50 feet from the road, up a hill and hidden by the trees.
He ran around to the passenger side.
"Stella! Stella!"
Kelly pried open the passenger door. He was able to reach in and touch Stella. She head was bloody and her skin ashen. He bent down and put his ear to her face, praying he heard or felt something. It was cold but he was still opening to feel her warm breathe. He waited. He didn't hear or feel a breath. She didn't move.
"Stella, please. Open your eyes. Come on, baby. Wake up."
Her head moved. It was slight but it moved.
"Open your eyes, Stella."
She made a small noise. Her eyes slowly opened.
"Kelly. You came. You found me."
"I found you, baby. Let's get you out of here, ok?"