**PROLOGUE **

Ash, smoke and fire as far as the eye can see. The intense heat nipping at my skin as smoke fills my lungs. It is getting harder and harder to breath, to pretend that the raging flames don't exist.

Perhaps hiding in the bathroom, was not the best idea. I stopped calling for help a long time ago. What is the use of wasting your last breath on screaming, if no one can hear you above the fire.

Silent tears stream down my face. Evaporating almost instantly due to the intense heat. It is getting hotter and hotter. I don't know where my family is, but I hope they at least got out safely.

My lungs scream for air that will not come. Only smoke. My limbs are heaving and I have to fight to stay awake. I don't know why I'm still fighting the darkness that wants to consume me. No help is coming, there never will.

I fall to the floor in a coughing fit. I can't breathe. My eyes too heavy to stay open any longer. The world fading into a blurry haze. The flames moments away from engulfing me, but there is nothing I can do.

Just before I completely fade away I hear it. It is very faint above the raging flames and seems to be echoing far away from here. But it is there. A slither of hope above all the terrifying sounds. Sirens

And with that sound echoing in my head I close my eyes and let the darkness consume me...

*****

The first thing I notice is the darkness. Comforting, simple and safe. Then I notice the heavy feeling. My arms and legs to heavy to move and my eyes to heavy to open. There is a faint beeping sound in the back of my mind, like an alarm that refuses to go off. The unsteady rhythm driving me insane.

I notice how I am able to breath. How there is no smoke that fills my lungs when I take a breath, but oxygen instead. The heat is no longer there and is replaced by a cold mellow feeling.

What happened to the fire that was once there? The flames that burned me and the smoke that refused to let me breathe?

The unsteady beeping becomes louder and more irretating by the second. Till the point I can't take it anymore.

The unsteady rhythm becomes faster, louder pounding at my scull. My breathing becomes harder till I'm choking on air, with that insitant beeping pounding my head.

Then everything slowly starts to fade away again. The beeping becomes quieter till it is completely gone. Air fills my lungs, the heavy feeling disappears into nothing until only the darkness remains. Soothing and safe, as it should be.

*****

The darkness slowly starts to fade away in to a dull red hue. Light burning above me. Not very motivated to open my eyes I wish for the darkness to come back.

Along with the hue the persistent beeping is back. Much louder and steadier than it was before. With the heavy feeling slowly subsiding I finally have the courage to at least move my fingers. There are hushed murmurs that can be heard above the annoying beeping.

After a while I slowly start to open my eyes. The bright light blinding me the moment they are open. I release a groan as I try to move away from the hardh light.

There is a gasp in the room, followed by rushed footsteps and crying.

"McKenna?" The soft voice of my mother fills my ears, motivating me to open my eyes again.

Once I'm accustomed to the light I focus on the sight before me. My mother staring down at me with tearfulled eyes and one of my older brothers, Owen, smilling hopefully at me. We seem to be in an hospital room.

Confused I glance back at my mom, who immediately engulfs me in a tight hug, followed shortly by my brother. "You're ok! I can't believe you're ok." is all my mother can choke out in between sobs. Owen silently crying beside me.

Once I get over the initial shock I look down at them. "What happened?" I manage to say.

Immediately they both stand up and look down at me with sad eyes. "There was a fire, lil sis" Owen answers solemnly. My mother still crying beside me, I turn to her. "Where are Lucas and Thane? Where's Dad?" I ask slowly afraid of the answer.

My mother seems to choke on her sobs along with my brother. She finally turns to me and shakes her head. I have sinking feeling and tears start to brim my eyes. She looks at Owen,"Owen, sweetie, go tell your brother that McKenna is awake." Those few words give me a hopeful feeling. They are still alive!

That feeling, however doesn't last very long as my mother turns to me with a grave face. "I'm so sorry sweetheart." she begins," Thane is ok. He is in the next room with some minor burn wounds. But..." Fresh tears start to roll down her cheeks. "Lucas and your father didn't make it."

With those few words my entire world comes crashing down. Lucas, my twin, my best friend is dead and so is my father. No longer will I wake up to Lucas barging into my room with a goofy grin. No more laughing with my dad when we play a stupid game. No more million dollar smiles that light up the room or jokes and pranks on the weekends.

And as my world comes crashing down, I go down along with it. I feel myself break apart and disappear. Fading away with each tear that escapes my eyes. And for hours and hours on end we all cry and mourn over them. For hours and hours my mom, Thane, Owen and I just sit in the room wondering... What next?