*Zac*
"Hi Tom. Is something wrong ?" I ask as I pick up my phone. It isn't like Tom to call when he knows I am working. But right now I am on a break.
He breathes in deeply. "Have you heard from Tess, like within the last hour, hour and a half ? A call, a text, anything".
"No, I tried calling her about an hour ago, but she didn't answer and she hasn't called back". I say, I hadn't thought anything about it. But now I started to get nervous.
I can hear him fiddle with something. "Don't start to panic. But you know the fires right ? Well that old folks home she helps at is being evacuated and she insisted in driving over to help. She never returned and Lizzie can't get a hold of her. She talked to someone at the home and she left about an hour and a half ago".
"She probably stopped in somewhere right ? To get some food or something". I say, feeling more and more anxious by the minute.
Tom is definately trying to calm me. "I am sure she did. But just to be sure. I am going to drive the way she did and take a look. Try to not think about it".
"Yeah, you know I can't do that Tom. But thank you for going out there. And please stay safe okay ? Call me as soon as you know anything". I tell him.
"Sure Zac, talk to you later". He says before hanging up and I start pacing the floor. She need to be okay. She just needs to.

*Tess*
I slowly open my eyes and it takes some time to realise were I am. In Zac's car. Fuck ! I smashed his car. I open the door and stumble out into a world of dark smoke. Shit ! I don't know which way to go as I can't locate the fire, everything being a dark cloud.
But I start to walk anyway. I need to get out of the smoke, it is making my eyes sting and my throat burn. So I start moving in the direction that looks most clear.
I stumble through the forest, the worst part is the silence. It is eerily calm and quiet. Like I am all alone in the world. I grab for my phone, wanting to call Zac, just to hear his voice. "Fuck !". I left it in the car. How stupid can you be.
Suddenly I can feel the heat. Shit I have walked right up to the fire and it is like the world is erupting in flames and roaring noises. I turn and start to run. I need to get away.
I scream as my foot gets tangled in some roots and I fall to the ground. Part of me just want to stay there on the ground crying. My arm hurts and my foot hurts. My eyes are burning and my throat feels like sandpaper. But one thought makes me get up. I need to see Zac again.
The fire is close, and I am limping now. I don't know which way to go. So I move back the way I came. I need to get out of the thick smoke. So I hide the only place I can find. And hope help will find me before the flames does. At least I can breathe in here.

*Tom*
Lizzie told me she usually drowe through the forest, but when I get there the road through is closed. And a police officer tells me that it is to dangerous to go through as there are fires in raging in there. Maybe she went around ? I hope she did.
I drive all the way around the forest to the nursing home. But Zac's car is nowere to be found. So I drive around. Looking everywhere I can think of. Before driving back towards the forest from this side. I must admit I am starting to panic now.
The idea of something having happened to her is heartbreaking. And the thought of having to tell Zac and Lizzie.. shit I don't think I could.
This side is closed to of course and I stop and get out. "Excuse me officer, could you maybe help me here ?"
"You can't get through her, whole damn forest is on fire. You need to drive around". The officer says, pointing the other way.
I nod. "I know. It's just that a friend of mine usually drives this way. We can't get a hold of her and well she was on her way home. Possibly coming this way".
"Sorry I don't know if there is any cars in there. But I hope for your friend that she didn't go this way". He says, shaking his head as he looks into the threes.
I get back in the car and start to drive back and in on the way around. What the fuck am I to do ? What if she is in there ? I stop at the side of the road. Maybe it is possible to get in this way on foot. I mean just to check.
Just as I reach the threeline I hear voices. "Stop ! Hey you stop". A couple of dirty firemen comes running over. "You can't walk in here. You'll be dead in no time".
"My friend might be in there, I need to go look for her". I say desperately. I don't know what else to do. I have never been good at just waiting.
The fireman shakes his head. "Sorry, but we can't let you go in there. It is a firetrap. If your friend is in there, there is nothing you can do".
"Shit ! Shit ! Shit!" I sit down on the ground holding my head in my hands. I really hope she isn't in there. I hope she is anywere else.