INTO THE FIRE
The heat became unbearable as Clara reached the second floor.
Black smoke rolled across the ceiling, making her eyes water.
She pulled the collar of her uniform over her mouth and kept moving.
“Leo!”
No answer.
She reached his bedroom.
The door wouldn’t open.
It had warped from the heat.
Clara slammed her shoulder against it.
Nothing.
Again.
Pain shot through her arm.
Again.
The latch finally splintered.
Clara stumbled inside.
“Leo!”
A small cough came from beneath the canopy bed.
She dropped to her knees.
There he was.
The boy was curled tightly beneath the bed, trembling and struggling to breathe.
“Leo, it’s me.”
His frightened eyes found hers.
“Clara?”
“Yes. Come here.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“I’m scared.”
Clara didn’t hesitate.
She crawled beneath the bed and pulled him into her arms.
“You don’t have to be brave,” she whispered. “I’ll be brave for both of us.”
She tore off her apron and wrapped it around his face to protect him from the smoke.
Then she lifted him.
The hallway outside was already glowing orange.
A burning beam cracked overhead.
Clara looked toward the stairs.
Then back at Leo.
“We’re going home.”
She ran.
