Light Up the Sky

Chapter 1

''No!'' I yelled as I ran forward toward my burning house while my heart was slowly sinking to my gut. The flames were lighting up the street as they grew brighter. Perspiration was flooding the surface of my body as I continued to sprint forward while my eight year old brother, Jeremy, was trailing behind me, attempting to catch up to my speed.

One of the police officers chased after me, clutching their hand around my arm, preventing me from stepping any closer.

''Excuse me, Miss! You can't go near there, it could collapse any second!'' He warned me, roughly pulling me back. I tried to squirm out of his tight grip, but his fitted arms wouldn't budge.

I grunted. ''No, stop! My parents are in there!'' I boomed into his face while I continued to struggle, needing to break loose. I couldn't believe this was happening. This isn't the sort of thing you expect to see on your way home from school. I hoped to God that my parents weren't home.

The cop dragged me to the street corner, away from the fire. ''We're working on getting them out,'' he assured me, trying to stay calm.

"Well work harder! Please!"

He shook his head understanding my frustration, but didn't answer to my comment. I glanced over at my brother. His eyes were still fixated on the fire - not blinking - as he squeezed another police officers hand tightly. My heart was beating rapidly through my chest. Why isn't the fire going out? The firefighters have hoses aimed directly at the flames, but that was doing no good. My forehead creased as I started panicking even more. They have to save my parents. They have to. Any moment now the firefighters will walk out with my parents in their arms.

But suddenly, part of the house collapsed, the other part mimicing it's motion. The cop I was with sheltered me with his body, protectively wrapping his arms around me, blocking me from the pieces of the house that were spewing towards us. I tightly shut my eyes, disbelieving of what was going on. I attempted to hold back my tears, I don't want Jeremy to see me cry. But I couldn't contain myself. I bursted out into tears as the cop released me from his human shield. I stood in place, my trembling legs unable to move an inch. Jeremy ran towards me, wrapping his tiny arms around my torso, digging his head into my leg. I ran my hand up and down his back, trying to comfort him. I wanted to say something to make him feel better, but I don't know what to say. All I could do is bawl.

This can't be happening.

Tears blurred my vision as I watched the firefighters rush toward the house. The flames were slowly diminishing 'til the fire was completely gone. They ran across the debris filled lawn, bricks scattered, burying what was left of the house. Everything's destroyed. Everything.

''No...'' I whispered to myself, not accepting the reality of what just happened.

Please let them not be in there.

I caught a glimpse of a fireman and a police officer whispering to each other a few feet away from me. The cop nodded his head and glided towards me, removing his hat from his head. No...

He sighed. ''Hello, I'm officer Philips. Um... Can I talk to you alone for a second?'' He asked, looking down at Jeremy who was still burying his head in my leg. I nodded my head yes and got down on one knee, gently pulling Jeremy's head away so I could look at him.

''Jeremy, I'm gonna talk to the officer, okay? Why don't you wait with the other nice cop over there,'' I explained to him, trying to hide the true sadness in my voice. Tears were still dripping down his red cheeks as he nodded his head and sluggishly dragged his body towards the other police officer.

The officer I was with cleared his throat. ''Are you the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson?''

''Yes...''