Prologue
RICH AND TRIMMED, the spacious yard was enclosed by the woodlands, open only to the long peddled path that led to the nearby roadway. In its midst was a two-storied home, which towered over the neighboring trees. If not this tall, it wouldn't have been so obvious.
Smoke.
She coughed against it, eyeing the place that was her home. The second floor ablaze, it looked ready to collapse into the first.
"We need to go."
Lottie shivered. "What a-about them? Will they be okay, Auntie?"
Her aunt only mustered a smile.
This was answer enough.
Spinning around, the girl hurried down the long pebbled path, ignoring the agitated voice behind her. All the while, the dead of night mocked her, its air growing thick. Wheezing, she arrived at the wooden steps that led inside.
But she wasn't fast enough.
A pair of hands suddenly clasped her arm. "Why are you always so dreadful, Lottie? Huh? Why can't you be like your brother? You're older, yet he's the one who listens." Marching her up the path, the woman's grip tightened. "He's in the car waiting for us."
"Let go of me," Lottie demanded. She then glanced back and couldn't breathe. The second floor had collapsed into the first, all lost to the raging flames. "No..."
"You knew it would happen; you're not that stupid."
"Please, my parents are still in there!"
"Stop struggling," she hissed, scowling down at her. "You should be dead right now."
-
The car ride was eerie and cold. Shivering, the girl was seated in the back beside her brother. She itched for a distraction; anything to put her mind at ease.
Head held high, her aunt watched the road, hands firmly over the wheel. "Look out the window or something," she suddenly huffed, eyeing her through the mirror.
The girl remained silent.
"We'll be there soon."
"Where?" Lottie asked carefully.
It was her aunt's turn to be silent.
Catching on, she sighed and looked to her brother.
Curled up against the door, he cried soft tears as he sniffled.
"Eliott?"
He flinched at the voice before catching her gaze. "What is it?" he mumbled.
"I think we'll be staying at Auntie's for a little bit, but don't worry. I'll make this right." Forcing a smile, Lottie wrapped an arm over his shoulder.
"They l-left us." Leaning into the hug, he wiped at his face. "Mom and Dad are... gone now."
"Well, I can promise you this: I'll never leave you."
