*****Chapter 6 (Alaina)******** I drove for a hour to my house, it was midnight, and all I wanted was wake up from this

nightmare. But I needed to be realistic, strong, and smart. I pulled Dorin out of the car, and Sasha took Ben and the little girl inside. "I'll be right back Matt," I said. He nodded and adjusted his leg. I walked inside and turned on the lights. My mom still wasn't home, and for once, I was happy about it. "Sasha they can sleep in my room. I'll be right back to help you," I was about to walk away when she stopped me. "Alaina, we have to take them to the police." she said in a low voice. Trying not to make the kids worried. "And do what Sasha, report them missing?" I said, I couldn't have been more angry at our towns relief officials. "No! Tell them that we saved them from a fire, and that their parents.." She lowered her voice even more, "are dead." I rolled my eyes, and walked out to get Matt. I pulled him out of the car and into my house. Luckily my drive wasn't to far from the front door. "Matt, why don't you take a bath, then you can wear some of my dad's clothes that he left here before he took off. Sasha you get the kids into my room, they can wear my clothes. I am going to call, someone," I am taking as much charge I possibly can. But in reality, I was just as scared as Dorin. I called the police station, but no answer. "How in the world is the police station not answering calls?" I asked myself. I walked down to my bathroom and knocked on the door, "You okay?" I asked. I heard him groan an answer and the water started. So I knew he was okay. I walked into my bedroom to see Sasha dressing the kids. "Ben, how old are you?" I asked him. He mumbled the answer "12" and continued to get dressed. I shook my head, I didn't want to have to tell him, but I figured he was strong enough. Or at least that he would need to be. "Why?" he than asked. "Just come out here with me," I motioned him out towards the living room. I sat him down on my red beaten couch. "Ben, I saw your father," I said calmly. His face lit up with excitement, and I didn't want to bare the news. "You did?" He asked with joy in his voice. I nodded yes, and a tear rolled down my cheek. Slowly his smile turned south. And he started to cry, "Well what about my mom?" He asked. "I haven't heard or seen anything from your mom since she put you in my car. Ben, I'm so sorry." I took him in my arms and he rested his head on my chest. "I will go over to your neighborhood in the morning, and look my hardest to find her. Okay?" I wanted to find any hope for Ben and Dorin. But the chances were unlikely. I felt him nod his head. "How about we go get you and Dorin settled in somewhere?" I asked and we stood up off the couch and I walked into my room. As I walked out of my room I saw Matt leaving the bathroom. He wasn't wearing any shirt but he was wearing my fathers old pajama pants. The ash and soot had left his scruffy light brown hair, and his chest was smooth and clean. With the exception of a few small scratches of course. "You want to stay the night?" I asked him. Not knowing if maybe he just wanted to go home. "You can go home, me and Sasha can stay and watch the little ones," I said, trying to make it sound more logical. He smiled, "I want to stay," I have to just call my mom and tell her I am staying at Jared's" he said. I scrunched my brow. "You don't think she's heard?" I asked him, forgetting that not even the police station has heard. "Never mind," I said. "Are you

hungry? I have a full stocked refrigerator," I said with a smile. He laughed, and shook his head no. I walked over to where he was sitting on my couch. "I told Ben, about his parents. I said that I would go over there in the morning and look for his mom." He pulled me onto the couch, and put his arm around me. "Don't bother," He said. At first I was confused, and then I could tell he knew more. "I saw her collapse in her yard as I walked over to Jenna's house," He said. I didn't know who Jenna was, but I felt awful knowing that Ben had now lost hope of ever going home. "Jenna is the little girl," He said, seeing that I was confused. "Oh right, well I promised I'd go look. I mean it's worth a shot, she could be okay." I said, trying to almost persuade my self. But I knew in my heart she wasn't. "I still don't understand what happened with the police," I said, I think this is what bothered me the most. Why didn't anyone help us. Those kids could still have parents if they had tried to save us. "I think I will go down there and talk to someone. It doesn't make any sense. If your town is in danger, and you are a help official, it is your duty. Right?" He stated, and I nodded in agreement. He shook his head in disbelief. Then I looked up at him, smiling. He looked down and smirked, kissing me. What was this now, a couple? A relationship? I wasn't sure, but I felt safe. And that's all I needed right now. I cuddled up next to him and I guess I fell asleep. A couple hours later, I woke up and Matt was sleeping now too. I sat up in my long tee shirt to walk to my room. There, I saw Sasha holding Jenna while sitting upright. They were both asleep and next to them was Ben cuddle up along side Dorin. To be safe, I took some extra pillows from the couch in the living room next to my bed, in case one were to roll off. I walked back out into my living room and shook Matt awake. He sat up right a bit startled. "Sorry," I apologized, "I was wondering if you wanted to go to my moms room? It's more comfortable there," I requested. He nodded and followed me into her room. We layed down under the large comforter, this room hasn't been in use for a couple weeks, so the room was nice and tidy. He looked at me as I stared at the ceiling, then he put is arm around my waist and his head next to mine. I smiled and looked at him. "You're and angel, Alaina." he stated. I grinned and kissed him one last time before going back to sleep. ******Chapter 7 (Ben)****** Hearing that my father is dead is hard to take in, why wouldn't it be. I heard Alaina say something about her dad not being with her, maybe that's why I trust her. Because she knows how to handle it. But I still haven't seen her mom though, is this a sign that I won't see mine? Alaina says that she will go looking for my mom in the morning, but worry keeps me awake. I can't see why it shouldn't the chance of my mom being alive is slim, and I know this. I wake up and use the bathroom at least five times tonight. And I wake Sasha up once in awhile because of nightmares. Truthfully, I don't understand how anyone else can sleep anyway. I feel safe with Sasha, Alaina, and Matt. They feel like my elder siblings. But I keep hearing about how they should go to the police, what will they do with us there? Would they send us to prison? These are some of the questions that go through my mind as I lay awake. Eventually though, I do fall asleep. ******Chapter 8 (Alaina)*****

My mom hasn't been home in 4 weeks. It's not for business, it's for her boyfriend. I don't mind it that much. I have activities to keep my mind off of home anyway. Whenever she comes home it's for a few days and she only stays out all night and sleeps all day. It's up to me to keep the house in order, though, she is could about bills. I can give her that much. Sometimes I love to sleep in her room, I love that bed. So the room is familiar, and comfy. I wake up slowly, and my eyes are heavy. As I look at the clock, I see that it is 8:00 in the morning. Sitting up, I look at Matt. Each breath the same, I watch his stomach go up and down. I sit up and got to the kitchen to make some coffee. I sit at my tiny two person table trying to think of what Monday will bring. Do I go to school? Do I send Ben to school? What do I do with Jenna and Dorin? Then I just say that I won't go to school, ever again. Since the police don't care anymore. But then I think this is silly, I have to get these kids somewhere. Once these kids have a home, everything will go back to normal. Except for the fact that many of my friend and classmates have died. I hear my bedroom door open and close and Sasha comes walking into the kitchen, she sleeps over all the time so she knows where everything is. She pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down across from me. She looks awful, with bags under her eyes, soot in her messy hair, and clothes a mess. "You never changed your clothes?" I ask her as she sips from her cup. She nods a no, and coughs. This is the first time I heard a cough since the echoes of screams and choking last night. I get chills as I get a flash back of the burning homes and the heavy smoke. I then realized I had been choking too, at the time I didn't notice how bad it was. I guess that's how a lot of people died, they didn't realize how bad their lungs were getting until it was too late. I come back to the now and realize she's done with her coffee, "I'm off to take a shower, so watch the kids," She says and disappears in the bathroom. I walk into my own bedroom and pick up Dorin, he was sitting up playing with his brothers hair. Chuckling, I brought him out into the living room. I put him on the couch and found some bananas. I cut the up and put the on the coffee table for him. He gobbled it up, and played around. I walked into my moms room and saw that Matt was laying there awake. I hopped on to the bed and patted his stomach. "Good morning!" I say cheerfully, then I look into my moms mirror revealing how godawful I look. I start to fix my hair a bit, and rub my eyes when Matt moves my hands out of my face. "You looked pretty before, you don't even have to try to impress me Aliana," I blushed and kissed him. I walked into my room to wake Ben and Jenna. "I need to get dressed guys. Ben your brother is in the living room eating some bananas," I told them, and then they left the room. Sasha came out of the washroom, and dressed Jenna. Ben and Dorin were watching cartoon in the living room. When I finished getting dressed I went into my moms room to find Matt getting dressed. I blushed and closed the door, I heard him chuckle and say "I just finished,". I re-entered and plopped on the bed. This time my hair and makeup done. "I'm about to head down to the police station, are you coming or do you want to stay with Sasha and the kids?" I questioned. He sat down next to me on the bed and looked out the window. He sighed, "This is the first time we've seen sunlight since the fire," He stated. We sat there for a moment and looked out the window.

No birds were chirping. No cars were passing. No clouds even in the sky. "Where were the help aids last night while all those people died, Aliana?" He asked, I could tell this was a rhetorical question, since I have been asking the same thing all night. At that moment, Ben pushed open the door. We both looked at him and smiled. "Sorry, but, are you going to go look for my mom?" He asked as he stepped forward. I turned to Matt and smiled a fake smile. "Ben come over here," Matt motioned him onto the bed. Ben climbed onto the bed with a confused expression. "Listen Little Man, Aliana and I are going to go talk to some police officers today, and we'll find out what happened to your Mom. But I need you to be strong, okay? Because we don't know if your Mom is okay. And if she isn't, we need to make sure Dorin can grow up with hope," Matt expressed. He smiled and patted Ben on the back. Ben then climbed down of the bed and walked out to be by Dorin's side. When I turned to Matt he was shaking his head, probably in awe. Theses kids have no hope, Matt, Sasha, and I are their only hope in their lives now. Matt and I stood up and walked out to leave. As we approached the living room, Sasha changed the channel to the news station. There wasn't anything about the fires, nothing about recent deaths of hundreds of people. That fire is something news worthy. I listened closer now, realizing I heard these same new stories yesterday. Nothing was new, in fact it sounded exactly as the report went, as if recorded. Sasha turned to Matt and I, "Are these the stories from yesterday?" She interrogated. I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, we are about to go down to the station. Maybe we can finally get some answers. Do you mind watching them?' I asked her. She nodded and continued to listen to the repeated new cast. *******Chapter 9 (Matt)****** My night was life changing, I saw people die and I saw people suffer. I held the girl I love in my arms and against my lips. I saved a child's life. I also lost faith in my government, the questions about them swarmed in my head. Rescue aids never showed up, to save innocent people, friends, classmates, children. How will they be able to sleep, let alone live knowing they let all those peoples lives go to waste? Aliana and I drove to the station, and we both were in complete seriousness. We wanted answers, answers for those people who couldn't be saved. As we entered the building we noticed something strange. There was no one there. We buzzed in, and waited for a response but nothing. "Do officers get a day off or something?" Aliana asked sarcastically. I pondered some reasonable explanations, but I couldn't find any. After about 10 minutes of waiting to no avail, we decided we'd leave. "Maybe the emergency room would have people there?" I questioned. Then I could see that Aliana mind was somewhere else. "What is it?" I asked. "Nothing, it's just that, I feel like I need to find Ben's mom. Whether she's dead or alive, to bring him peace." She said with her hands glued to the steering wheel. I nodded, and adjusted myself in my seat. "You know where she is, or where she collapsed?" Aliana asked me. "Yeah, she fell right in front of her house. But that was hours ago, if she is alive she may have moved." I said, I didn't want to find her. In all honesty, I wanted to let it be that Ben's mom could be out there alive and well somewhere. I didn't want him to know that he has lost both his parents. But Aliana promised him she'd look, and she is one with he word.

We drove ten minutes to where the fire all started. Yes, ten minutes away from the disaster. As we drove it was becoming foggier and the air was becoming thicker. I even started to cough a bit. We parked the car outside of Jared's driveway. I saw a tear roll down Aliana's cheek and I got goosebumps. Jared's yard was a hill, and at the moment looked like it had just been through battle. The grass charred to a black, the house dark as ebony smoking still. His yard had bodies layed and stretched out, I couldn't do anything but shake my head. We got out of the car, taking in an overwhelming smell. It smelled as though every house on this block had a campfire, but failed to put it out. When I close my eyes, it's as though I am there again. Complete chaos is the exact definition of that night. The orange and reds surrounding us, gasping for the air we tried to find. Entering a complete strangers home and saving them a second before it disappears to ash. I came back to a reality and looked to see that Aliana was already making her way over to Ben's mother. She knelt down at her side holding her mouth and crying. I shook my head with sadness and walked over. Their mother was laying on the lawn, covered in white ash. Aliana dusted her face off and felt for a pulse. Then she looked up at me "She's gone," she said quietly. And stood up. She rubbed the back of her neck and looked around, ashes still falling occasionally a part of a house falls apart. She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me. Tears falling down her face and onto my chest, I kissed her forehead. We walked back to the car and drove to her house. *******Chapter 10 (Aliana)******* Finding Ben's mother was hard, but knowing I saved her children makes me proud. I feel like she is watching over not only Ben and Dorin, but me as well. And that feeling, well it feels brilliant. We arrived back to my house were Dorin was taking a nap and Ben was using the computer. The second we stepped in the door, Sasha stood up and started asking questions. "Well, what did you find out? Is she alive? Where were the emergency aids?" She interrogated. Matt rolled his eyes, but I don't think it was because of the questions. I believe his expression was because of the answers. I walked over to Ben and squatted down to his eye level. "Ben, the police couldn't help us today. So Matt and I went over to your house, to find your mom," I said very slowly. He looked disappointed with the news that I already brought him. Than Sasha and Matt walked over to where Ben and I were sitting. "Ben, it looks like your mom didn't make it, I'm so sorry," I stated in the most delicate way possible. I saw his fists clench and his face turn pale. Knowing that you have lost both of your parents, especially on a selfless account. I then put my hand on his back as he put his head down. I felt his shoulders move up and down while he sobbed. I looked up to Matt and Sasha. They were both trying to hold in the tears, hands to mouth in complete sadness. We sat there in silence for a couple minutes when Matt walked away. I wasn't sure where he went, but I knew he left because he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Ben, I'm not going to tell you it's alright, because I know it's not. I don't know what it feels like not to have any parents, but I know what it's like to not have them around. I'm sorry Honey, that you lost your parents, they seemed like amazing people. I really am sorry," I sincerely apologized, because how could you say it's okay? I remember

teachers telling me it's alright when my father left us. Why is it alright? How can it be if your mother becomes a depressed alcoholic, and then disappears for weeks on end? How can it be alright, when you are practically raising yourself? I wanted Ben to know, that I am sorry for him, but that I can relate. He needs to know he's not alone, no matter what happens now, he won't be alone. His red, puffy eyes looked up from his arms. "Aliana, you said you don't have a mom. But she's out there. You know she's okay," He said, in disagreement. I shook my head no, because I don't know where she is at all. I don't even have a phone number to call, and I don't know if she's okay. "No Ben, I feel just like you did last night. I haven't got an idea where or how my mom is. I am just like you with a couple of exceptions. Ben, I won't say I am you. I won't say that I understand because I know that every situation is different. And it used to make me so mad, when people said they understand. But I can say that I can relate," I stated. I needed him to understand this, I needed him to know he could come to me. "She does, Ben. Believe her, I remember when her dad left. I tried to comfort her and she almost killed me for telling her it's okay. Those words are lies to her, nothing is okay to her without a justice. That's why she cared so much to find and save your family," Sasha declared. I grimaced at the memory. I did almost kill her because I had heard people telling me it was okay everyday. "So Ben, don't fight me. Because I tried," I added. He looked a little better after Sasha and I told him some reassuring statements. He stood up and hugged me, and that was when I realized I broke through to him. I didn't understand what it was like when your parents die, but I can relate. And that's all he needed to know. Matt was sitting on my moms bed, feet planted on the ground, head buried in his hands. I looked at him a little confused, why was this affecting him so bad? "Matt, are you alright?" I questioned as I slowly approached him. "No, Aliana. I haven't been alright at all since last night. I mean losing your parents is extremely terrible, but that's not why I am upset," He stated, head still buried in he hands. "You're still upset about the emergency aids not arriving?" I asked, knowing that this was still on every one's minds. It didn't make sense at all, how can emergency aids just not show up or be available? "Still upset, yeah. More like furious, the affects that fire had on so many people are life changing at it's worst. So yes, Aliana. I am still upset about the emergency aids," He said with an attitude. "Matt, I am agreeing with you. You don't have to get upset at me," I stated. But he just seemed so angry. I left the room, giving him time to steam off. When I left the room I saw Jenna playing house in my bedroom, talking about "mommy and daddy". It broke my heart, was she thinking that she can see them again soon? I hope not, because that is hard news to brake to a 6 year old. As I walked out to the living room I noticed Sasha holding Dorin and searching for food he may like in my cabinets. "He can't eat bananas forever Aliana," Sasha said when she finished searching the fridge. I smiled, and sat down on the couch. "Maybe I will run to the store later, Ben will you come with me? You know what he eats." She yelled. Ben nodded and I was surprised at how motherly she was acting to these kids. "Maybe, I'll take Jenna too. They sell dolls at the store, don't they?" She asked me. "I wouldn't know, I never played with dolls," I said to her while

watching the same news broadcast over again. I had to become mature at a very young age. My mom had substance abuse issues when I was 4, which led to most of the arguments with my parents. Playing with dolls was always the last thing on my mind. "Screw it, I am going know. I don't know what to feed him, let's go Ben. Jenna!" She yelled. Then they all filed outside into my car and took off. I laughed, the Sasha I knew yesterday at this time would never see herself like this. But I guess, I liked the change. Matt finally came out of my moms room and sat down next to me on my couch. He put his arm around me and started to laugh. I had no idea why he was laughing, which caused me to start laughing too. It was the first time we had a real laugh since the party. "Why are you laughing?" I yelled at him. But he was almost cracking up now. "What?!" I started laughing too hard to even ask him. "Aliana, we are alone!" He said, and started laughing. This made me extremely confused. "Yeah, so?" I started wondering this time. "I don't mean at your house. Take a look outside, it's a beautiful Saturday. And there isn't a soul to be seen." He said, but his laughing slowed. "What does that have to prove?" I questioned. I still hadn't a clue what he meant. "You think everyone has just disappeared?" I asked again. "No, what if we weren't at the only fire last night. What if something happened all over town, causing a lot of people to die? And that is the reason the rescue aids didn't arrive. What if we weren't supposed to survive that fire?" He was starting to scare me now, this couldn't have been true! We couldn't have been the only ones to live! I stood up and grabbed my cellphone which had been charging on my counter. I dialed Sasha's cell phone number as fast as I could. Ring once, ring twice, ring third time, after a couple more I hung up. "What are you doing?" Matt asked me, but my mind was focused. If what Matt was saying is true, then there wouldn't be anyone at the store. No one would be alive. If no one was supposed to live last night, then anyone alive would be killed, right? I grabbed my sneakers and slipped them on with lightning speed, then I ran out the door. I new I wouldn't catch up with them using the main roads. I had to think fast and cut through different neighborhoods. I might catch up with them but I really had to hurry. I cut through about 10 different lawns and tripped over a fountain, I fell and landed on a couple rocks. "Ouch!" I yelled and slowly picked myself up. This slowed down my pace, but I was able to keep running. I hadn't actually cared that I left Matt, alone with no idea where I was going. If these kids go to the store they could be killed. Jared's neighborhood is one of the most popular neighborhood in town, parties are held there every weekend, no exceptions. The next most popular place was the high school, this town is made up of mostly kids. Based on the houses in each neighborhood, they are made to fit a family of 7. After that is the grocery, families go there, teens go there, everyone does. But the first place to rid would be the emergency stations, because you can't wipe out a town if the town has safety officials. I ran to the store, not sure exactly what I'd find. But I knew there would be cars in the lot, people who didn't know there lives could be at risk. I also knew that it would look ordinary, Sasha could walk in without a clue that the place was deadly. The store would look safe but bodies would be laying on the ground. I'm not sure how they

will look or how they have died, but they won't be alive.