HANNAH
Driven out of sleep by a defeating crash, I sat up with a start.
Was it real? Had the sound been only in my head? I didn't remember having the dream of Asher and the fire tonight.
I remained very still, listening to sounds from outside.
There was nothing. I started to relax and then-
Pounding footsteps Not of one or two but a whole lot of people. They were everywhere; outside my door, in the courtyard, around the house.
The night air was suddenly split by screams of agony and pain. From outside came a dull thud and then a crash as of glass shattering.
I sat there, my muscles locked in place and then the adrenaline sent my heart pumping again. I scrambled out of bed, ran to the door jerked it open and staggered back just as there was a cry of "FIRE!"
Thick wisps of smoke curl
