WHAT THE FIRE TOOK.

meant to dre

like

nd outstretched to hers, had followed her into the morning. In the dream

e up, her pi

g was... she wan

nanswered questions

t search the ruins, didn't question anyone.

the blue shutters and a crooked bell over the door. She didn't even know why she went. Until she saw him t

cted before her b

ent i

he bell jingled. His

a small sm

hair opposite him. "I d

think I wo

sn't awkward - just thick, li

said quietly. "Talki

then up at him. "I don't know

ly. "But I'll wait u

s breat

ings like that. Hated how her h

t who I am without everything

ing her, but close. "You're still you,

and for a moment, they were alone

. she didn't want

sky smeared in soft pink, Elias slipped his h

ng toward a rusted gate near the edge of the woods. "Wh

d. "I fell fl

seconds before yelling at t

oth la

as fragile, but real. Lik

their hands

, she coul

cross the floor. She sat at her desk, the folder of old documents o

ng for pieces

handwritten note on a supply fo

sa

like a warning e

startl

er sweater and

holding somethin

found this earlier today, behind one of the fallen beams.

ld it

dangling from it with the letters "A

whispered.

might lead t

rs closed

ens," Elias said. "But I

ked up

ly, her fe

.. they could find

ed into the woods. The air smelled of pine and damp earth. Birds chirped above, but th

tiny shack almost

red. "He used to come here wh

the door mat

ed slightly as

ic

r creak

dusty, but untouched by fire. Shelves li

, half-open. She stepped toward it

y deeper... I need to ask. Are you okay

d at him, re

in his eyes - not fe

ust seeing what sh

th yet," she admitted. "But I'

d, letti

ened t

e: le

andwriting. Ne

dressed to someone

gers we

Elias's

behind her, bu

the first

pprove that extension. It's unsafe. Yo

I'll re

opped

she carefully tucked

ight that star

y someone l

e quiet. "Did you know your

kened. "No. But I knew

o you think he had somet

Then: "I don't