Kes reached her home only to find that it was completely engulfed in flames, consuming more of the house with every passing second. Kastalia, her four-year-old sister, was leaning out of her bedroom window, desperately trying to grab hold of the closest tree branch so that she could escape. When she saw Kes approach, she started screaming, pleading with Kes to save her.

Kes could see that there was no safe passage into the house and she knew that if she entered the flames would most likely kill her. Quickly she started to climb the large tree outside of Kastalia's third floor window. She doubted that she would be able to pull her sister to safety but she knew that this was the only way. Though she had climbed this tree many times before, it seemed much harder now. The heat from the sun and the flames was burning her face and hands and she was already exhausted from running home so quickly but she knew that she had to keep climbing. Kes looked up at her sister who was waiting anxiously at the window ledge. She was so far up; Kes had never climbed that high before. The higher she went, the more difficulty she began to have. The footholds were farther apart and many of the branches she used to pull herself up with broke off in her hands. She had almost reached her sister when she slipped, just barely catching the branch below, but wasting precious time. Finally, with one last pull, she managed to climb onto the branch outside her sister's window.

Kes moved slowly farther and farther out on the branch, wrapping her legs tight around the thick wood and squeezing the sides with her knees so that she wouldn't fall off. She was finally able to reach out and grab her sister's hand. Slowly, and with much effort, Kes was able to pull her sister to safety. They sat together on the branch for a moment, catching their breath, before beginning their descent.

Once they had reached the ground both girls were able to breathe a sigh of relief. Looking back up at their home, they watched as the flames continued to spread and then as the house began to collapse. Everything Kes owned, every memory she had, all was lost. But worse then losing her possessions was the realization that she had lost her family as well. Everyone she cared about had been inside the house as it burned. Her mom and dad, her grandma, and even her two-year old brother, Jack- all had perished in the flames. Her sister Kastalia had barely escaped, and would have died as well if Kes had not reached her in time. Kes had never felt more alone or empty in her life.

She held Kastalia's hand as they watched what was left of their house smoldering on the ground. Both girls were still so shocked by what had happened that neither was able to shed even a single tear. Kastalia squeezed her sister's hand, staring up into Kes's face, a look of devastation in Kastalia's no longer innocent eyes.

"Why did they do it, Kes?" Kastalia spoke softly, not sure if she should dare to speak yet.

Kes looked at her sister for a moment, wondering what she had meant. Could it be that the fire was not an accident?

"Why did who do what?" said Kes, trying not to seem too anxious.

"Those men!" cried Kastalia, "I was in my room and I heard them downstairs yelling at mommy and daddy. It scared me so I stayed where I was. They said something about our family being too much of a risk for them...then they yelled more but I couldn't hear what they said. After a while, I looked out my window and saw them setting fire to our house and running away. One of them was carrying something but he was too far away for me to see what it was. I tried to escape, but I was locked in! I was trapped! I'm sorry, sissy. I'm so sorry!" As Kastalia relived the day's events, tears came to her eyes and she threw her arms around her sister, scared that she would lose her, too.

Kes held her sister tight for a few moments, taking in everything that she had just said. How had her family been a risk? Who were those men? And what could they have possibly wanted to steal? All these thoughts and more ran through Kes's mind.

As the two girls stood there, clinging to one another, Kes whispered, "It's going to be alright. This isn't your fault; there was nothing you could do to stop it. I'm just happy that you are safe."

Kes let go of her sister and put her hands on her shoulders, just looking into Kastalia's eyes, "Everything is going to be alright," Kes reassured her, "I promise." Kes took her sisters hand in hers and together they started the long walk from the pile of ash that had once been there home towards a very unsure future.

Kes grew up that day. She was no longer a child. All of the innocence was lost and the childlike gleam disappeared from her eyes, never to return. She had to take care of herself and her sister now. She had no more time for childish games and fantasies. At just seven years old, Kes was no longer a child.