WHAT THE FIRE TOOK.

The wind carried the scent of burnt wood and forgotten memories as Helena stood before the charred remains of her family home. It had been ten years since the fire. Ten years since the night her world fell apart. She was just sixteen when the flames swallowed everything-her parents, her childhood, and every trace of who she used to be.

Now twenty-six, Helena had returned to the quiet town of Rosefield not for closure, but because something inside her whispered that the past wasn't finished with her yet, there's more she needs to know.

The neighbors said the fire was an accident. But Helena never believed it.

Her boots crunched on the gravel as she walked toward the old foundation, weeds growing through the cracks. Her heart beat fast, not from fear-but from something else. Something she couldn't name nor trace.

As she stood there, lost in thought, a voice behind her broke the silence.

"Didn't expect to see you here."

She turned quickly. Her breath caught.

There he was.

Elias Hayes.

Older, a little taller, but still with those same innocent eyes and that familiar way of speaking like he saw right through you. He had been her best friend once. And maybe... something more, if the fire hadn't changed everything.

"Elias," she whispered.

He gave a small smile, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. "I heard someone was poking around the old Vale place. Figured it had to be you."

Helena gave a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't expect anyone to remember me."

"I remembered," he said gently. "I never forgot."

A silence fell between them, heavy but not uncomfortable. The wind stirred again, carrying dust and memories alike.

"Still chasing the truth?" he asked after a while.

Helena nodded. "I can't let it go. The reports didn't make sense. My dad never left the stove on. And the fire spread too quickly. I've gone over it a hundred times in my head, I'm not settling for that"

Elias stepped closer, his voice low. "You think someone started it?"

"I don't know. But something tells me it wasn't an accident."

Elias studied her face, and something in his gaze softened. "Then let's find out."

She blinked. "What?"

"I'm serious," he said. "If you're staying for a while, I'll help. You shouldn't have to do this alone."

Her heart skipped. She hadn't expected that. Not after all these years. Not after how she'd pushed everyone away, including him.

"But why?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Because I cared then. And I still care now."

It was such a simple thing to say, but it cracked something open inside her.

That night, she lay awake in the small room she'd rented above the local bakery. The town felt both familiar and strange. She could still hear the crickets outside her window, and the distant hum of cars passing on the main road.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Elias.

"Meet me at the archives tomorrow morning. I've got some ideas."

She smiled, warmth blooming in her chest.

The next few days passed in a blur of dusty records, old newspaper clippings, and whispered conversations in the library. They found old maps, diagrams of the house, and one strange article written two days before the fire-an article about a land dispute involving her father.

"Your dad was fighting to stop a development project," Elias explained. "They wanted to buy this land-your land. He said no."

Elias stared at the faded print. "So... someone wanted him out of the way?"

"It's possible,"Elias said, his jaw tight. "And the fire solved that problem, didn't it?"

She nodded slowly, the pieces starting to come together. But there was still more they didn't know.

As the days turned into a week, Elias began to feel something shift. Not just in the investigation-but between her and Elias. There was a quiet closeness returning, the kind that didn't need words. One night, as they walked back from the archives under a sky full of stars, she looked up at him and said, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here. For not giving up on me."

He stopped walking and turned to her. "I never gave up, Helena. You just weren't ready to come back yet."

The silence stretched. Her heart pounded.

And then he stepped closer.

"I used to wonder," he said softly, "if things would've been different... if the fire hadn't happened."

She reached up, her fingers brushing his cheek. "Maybe. But we're here now."

His lips found hers, gentle at first, then deeper. It felt like something healing. Like something whole.

"I never thought you're this kind," Helena said softly.

"Ohh really, are you sure I'm not too kind?" He said, smiling at her pretty face. What? she laughed "are you kidding me, you're so funny.

His face staring at her, "you're really more beautiful when you smile, I guess I've not seen you smile often."

"Hmmm.. I do smile but ever seen I lost my family. I lost my smile, I lost my peace, I lost my dream of making them proud, I lost everything. It is just like a dream to me, I wish I can turn things right." She teared up.

"Sorry about everything that happened"

He hugged her, cheered her up and accompanied her home.

"Thank you so much for today, you really made my day," she smiled again.

You're highly welcome, "I guess I was a comedian who made you laugh so much today.."

Ohh yes, you are.

"Alright take care, sweet dreams, bye.." he said softly.

Bye.. she he keeps staring at him while he left.

The next morning, they got their first real lead."

A name.

Jacob Ryder.

He'd been the contractor behind the development project. A man with a history of shady deals. And he'd been in town the night of the fire.

"Let's pay him a visit," Helena said, her eyes burning with purpose.

Elias nodded. "Let's finish what we started."