Chapter 38

And then the fire happened.

He woke up late on a Saturday to the smell of something burning. To his horror, the room was filled with smoke. Something on the stove had gone up in flames, which spread to the countertop, the floor, and much of the kitchen. Without thinking, he grabbed a bucket from under the sink, filled it with water, and began splashing it over the conflagration. But his efforts proved fruitless. No matter how much water he used, the fire kept burning all around him. Freaking out, he ran into Henri’s room and woke her. He picked her up without explaining. Then he shook Jack awake.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s a fire.”

“What?”

“We have to go.”

Jack blinked. “Where?”

“We have to go right now!”

“Cillian, where’s the fire?”

He realized his error, far too late. “Don’t you see—Oh God.”

Henri chimed in. “Dad, you’re squeezing me too tight!”