Chapter Eighteen

The fire roared, asserting its dominance as it threw its greedy hand skyward with triumph. Light and shadow danced as the fire pressed forward, never stopping, never ceasing. Its hunger grew with every tree it consumed and with every blade of grass it devoured.

***

I sat under the shade of a tree for I don't even know how long. Time lost meaning, my world ticking by on the regular interval of screams emitted from the happy people on the coaster. I watched happy couples stroll by, hand in hand. Families with children skipped by. Teenagers giggled with friends. Laughter was everywhere but in my dark little corner.

"Holly?" Ray's voice cut through the fog in my head like headlights. I looked up, knowing my face was tear-stained and miserable. Mascara lined the collar of my shirt from me wiping my eyes. "Holly, are you okay?"

I shook my head no, not trusting my voice. My throat hurt from crying. I didn't think I had any more tears left in me. Ray came and sat next to me on the grass, clos