~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two figures broke from the smashed front door and ran toward the woods where she stood. Their nightclothes smeared with soot, their faces white with terror. The person who pushed them out disapeared once more inside. Another window exploded.
Three of the cottages, were in flames, too, and the barn. Horses screamed in terror as they were chased from the stables by a handful of teenage boys.
In the Oregon hills miles from the nearest town, they didn't expect a fire engine to arrive.
Somewhere behind her a woman wailed and wailed. "They did it on purpose. They burned us out."
"Get her into one of the trucks," a male voice yelled. "I bringing the other car around."
"Watch out for snipers," a female voice called back. "They might be waiting to pick us off as we leave."
"Head for Washington," Max heard her mother say. "We'll meet at Rudy's."Max felt a tug on her arm. Her mother, Esme stood panting beside her. "I put Aunt Persia in the car. Where's your father?" Now that she was alone with her daughter her voice rose high in panic.
"He went back in," Max answered her voice roughened with smoke and tears. "With Zack and Bucky."
"Ivan," Esme started toward the building and Max grabbed her and held on tight. "No! You can't both be in there. I can't stand it."
Esme fought to get away but at eighteen Max was her match. "You can't stop him," Max said. "He swore to protect the pack."
"But I need to be beside him," Esme begged. "They're my people too!"
What have I done? Max thought. If only she'd stopped the boys this might not have happended. If only she'd told her father they were out of control.
Figures came around the side of the house. Bucky lead a slight young woman not much older than Max. Zack held a shrieking bundle in his arms.
The fire roared its final victory then, with a crack as if a giant's spine had snapped. A central beam gave way and the roof collasped in a peacocks tail of sparks and flame.
"Daddy!" Max screamed.
But it was too late.