The water washed the soot from my face, but it ran freezing cold against my hot skin.

We reached the grand staircase, descending rapidly toward the foyer.

The heavy mahogany front doors of the estate were wide open.

Cold night air rushed into the house, cutting through the smell of burning wood and plastic.

We burst out onto the wide stone terrace, stepping into the dark night.

I inhaled deeply, the crisp autumn air shocking my lungs and making me cough violently.

Alexander carried Ethan down the stone steps and laid him gently on the damp grass of the lawn.

“Let me see him,” Alexander muttered, peeling back the wet wool blanket.

Ethan’s face was smudged with black soot, but his eyes were wide open and alert.

He coughed, his small chest heaving, but his breathing began to steady in the fresh air.

“I’m okay, Dad,” Ethan whispered, his voice shaky. “Elena kept the blanket wet.”

Alexander closed his eyes for a brief second, his shoulders sagging with immense relief.

He turned his gaze to me as I sank down onto the grass beside them, exhausted.