Beneath The Embers.

shed B

Helena stood still at the edge of the lot, where a warped gate leaned on rusted hinges, forgotten like ev

old air biting at her lungs,

ver cracked stone. She moved carefully, boots crunching on loose gravel and fragments of scorched wood. Her flashlight searchi

ere, the fire had raged the hardest. It was where the ceiling had

ats loud in

down the steps, or the sound of her father's old music playing

s grazing the floorboards. Her flashlight caught

eath r

d th

st. It wasn't just dirt or coincidence. It was fresh. Br

y, her heartbeat r

had be

ent

at the Bennett house. The

n't be a

e it into her coat pocket. Whoever was behind these fires

gravel behind her m

you here," came

he flashlight sl

of his faded coat, his face drawn with tiredness and frustration.

I do," she replied, bru

d through his dark curls.

hread here. Just like the one at the Bennett fire. So

" she said softly, stepping closer. You've been chasing ghosts si

aw clenched. "They ne

aid. But mayb

learned to live with the unans

t it go," s

kno

ken wall beside her and stared into the remains of their past. Mom

d've come

hem both sm

between them, filled only by the hum

ck to my place tonight. No arguments. It's late, and

asn

ve her

sighed.

eave, Helena glance

er pocket burned

asn't

rning, Helena

gned with an a

yled up, sm

are you heading

my head off, I just wa

re? Anita a

, I will love to join you, Anita with a smilin

o the new part, just to reflect and think of something that h

n't still get ove

l I succeed in chasing w

ne can w

home, He

sis, I'

n one c

condi

ing, both bur

ive without you, Helena siad with c

thing, but you're here, your presence make me feel okay

d been through, still gives her hope a

e go now,

can. Like thi

od to go, w

in this dress, cha

with it, An

you to change you

d, and wen

l, took pictures, play games, had lots of fun

hread remained, a scarlet whi

ng was

me, she wou