Surviving Bedlam

Chapter 6

The flames devoured our house quickly. I was still paralyzed from the waist down with shock. The only home that I ever had was dissolving into ash right before our eyes.

"Why?" Joel whispered. "Why, why, why? All my books, drawings, ideas, inventions, all my stuff...why?"

"I don't know..." was all I could say.

I tried to think about everything for about three more seconds but the flames were getting too close and the smoke was heavy, shifting its way into my lungs. It was enough to make me feel my body again.

"I don't know" I choked the words again "But we can't stay here we need to go."

I opened the playhouse door and directed the twins to follow quickly.

Ellie had woken up before the flames started. I tried my best to shield her view, but it was useless. She saw and heard everything that went on in the house.

"Guys! We need to go! Before we end up on fire too!" I snapped.

"Where are we going?" Joel asked.

"I don't know. But come on!"

Both Joel and I ducked out of the old wooden room. Ellie didn't budge.

"Come on Ell...we've gotta go now!" I waved my hand again for her to follow.

She still did not move. I had never seen her look so disturbed.

"Oh god...Ellie PLEASE!" I cried.

"I got this!" Joel snickered. "Hey, knuckle butt let's go!"

I raised a brow at Joel, "Knuckle butt?"

"It's something I've called her a few times...she hates it and always freaks out. Mom threatened me if I didn't stop."

"Seriously, Joel? We are standing only a hundred feet from our burning house and you want to joke?"

Ellie didn't say a word or move, though. This was not good.

"Got a better idea?" He crossed his arms.

I quickly ducked back inside and picked her up as if she were a baby that didn't know how to walk. There wasn't much more time to waste.

Lucky for us the fence had a gate that led onto the trail that paralleled our street and led to the main trail path, so at least we weren't trapped.

For the first two minutes, I made Joel and I jog while I continued to carry Ellie. The only thing that I could think to do right now is head toward the center of town. I didn't know where to go; my mind was clouded by a full serving of smoke and a side of adrenaline.

"So do you know where we are going yet?" Joel panted.

I slowed down to a walk. We were far enough away now from the direction of the vandals.

"No," I said.

Once the adrenaline slowed and we were far enough away I realized we were already half way down the second trail going towards Roger's. I was very much on auto pilot even though I had no clue where we were going.

I kept telling myself to not look back, but I didn't listen.

When I looked back the entire western sky was black. The sunlight gleamed off the monstrous clouds that took a slow lingering stroll through the diminishing street I called home. The wind shifted and the rolling black smoke of what I figured to be coming from at least 4 houses by now picked up its pace. In my mind, I asked the same question as Joel "Why?"

I kept us moving down the heavily shaded path.

Ellie started to cry again so I picked her back up.