Chapter 1

"Emily! Emily! Get up! Hurry!"

"Grandma...? What's going on? Where's Grandpa?" Emily was fast asleep when her grandmother rushed into her bedroom accompanied by the smell of smoke.

"There's a fire, we need to leave now!" Her grandmother snagged a sweater for Emily as they rushed out the bedroom door. They made their way through the hallway, and to the stairwell.

"Wait! Grandma...Where's Grandpa? Is he alright?! Please tell me he's okay!" Tears started to roll down her grandmother's cheeks. Emily, holding her sweater on with one hand, dropped to her knees, and sobbed.

"Let's go, dear. We need to leave." Emily slowly rose to her feet, still sobbing, and clinged to her grandmother. They sprinted as fast as they could into the middle of the prarie that acted as their front yard.

"Did you *hic* call the fire department?" At this point, Emily's face was covered in tears and soot.

Her grandmother nodded.

Emily couldn't bear the feeling that her home was gone. Her last memory of her parents was there, as were the last ten years. Her sweet sixteen party, prom, graduation, all gone. Every last memory went up in flames.

With these thoughts in mind, Emily burrowed her face into her grandmother's chest.

"Why him?" Questioned Emily through tears.

"I know, dear. I know." Her grandmother squeezed her tightly, and let out light sobs.