Chapter Thirty-Six



As the cabin came into view, Annabel knew something was wrong. Upon looking closer, it was easy to see why someone would know something was wrong. Fire could clearly be seen through the windows, the drapes were on fire and so was one of the walls.
"Clear's in there." Annabel whispered and without a second thought ran up the rickety steps to the sheet covering the door.
Nicolas followed her, knocking the sheet away from the door and into a growing wall of fire that had engulfed the couch. Nicolas looked around for a second but could see Annabel through the smoke. Then he saw her in what was left of the kitchen.
Annabel knelt by Clear's body; Clear looked up at Annabel with pleading eyes but couldn't bring herself to talk.
"Hang on Clear." Annabel said and coughed as she choked on smoke. Annabel began slowly lifting Clear up, despite the girl's pained cries caused by the movement.
Annabel realized that she wasn't going to be able to get herself and Clear out of the house by herself. Almost on cue, Nicolas appeared on Clear's other side, helping Annabel lift her. Nicolas was careful of Clear's knife wound -still complete with knife- as he helped Annabel lift Clear into a standing position.
Slowly but quickly in the same sense, Annabel and Nicolas ushered Clear out of the burning house. When they were on the front steps, the house exploded. The explosion sent the three roughly to the ground. Annabel did a summersault and landed on her back in the cool grass. Clear and Nicolas landed close to her, dazed but alive.
Annabel stared at what was left of the house, her breathing fast and heart pounding. With a sigh of what could be considered triumph, Annabel laid her head on the cool grass and shut her eyes. She had saved Clear, like she had saved Nicolas. For a moment, all was well.