WHAT THE FIRE TOOK.

side her father - Elias - looked younger, but his expression had the same quiet ca

estions jumpi

d answers,I need ans

and point out who's behind

e raised. She looked at no one around

thing, she told

in her gut whispere

en nothing but kind since she returned. He helped her, listened to her, stood beside h

ing into corners she didn't want to l

ng a huge mistake

ast, his truck pulling up with

s digging?" he as

bbing her bag. "Wh

of names - former contractors, workers who had been

e of these guys. I circled the o

n eyebrow. "You

'm trying to ke

on wiring the area. He lived alone in a dusty house at the edge of town. His m

I remember him. Good man. S

mean?" Helena

spoke. "Just... Some folks wanted that lan

about the fire

e did. But I never beli

Then what do you think i

then whispered, "I th

g?. Sh

Harold

d at the road in silence,

"Not an accident. Not eve

"Maybe. But we still

you think your dad knows

g. Then: "Maybe. But he's gone now,

ver leaving his face, staring at

spered again: He'

wers - only vague memories and hushed voices. Fear still

Elias offered to drive her ho

," she said. "T

asked, concerne

Just...

"Call me if yo

the photo again. The lighter-or whatever it was-still seemed like a shad

t if it

more person - someone s

m the ruins of Helena's family home. Her yard was filled with ov

voice cracking with age. "I ne

swers," Helena said

. "Too many things about t

lena said softly. "D

A car door slamming. And then-fire. Quick and loud. Your fa

twisted. "Who

But someone else was there bef

pressed. "Did yo

hearing a voice. Familiar. I always tho

blood r

li

was always hanging around back then. Sweet boy

ked back to her room and locked the door behind her. She

it b

ht? Was it him her father sho

he could feel them crawling bene

anted to be

rk, who smiled when she smiled, who looked at her like sh

do with the fire... if he ca

never fo

ever let him ge