I'm at the library with Mason when I see my parents' SUV flashing down the street. A cop car and a ambulance are in front of them.
A sick, helpless feeling starts to grow in the pit of my stomach. Mason looks at my chalk white face.

"What's wrong?"
"I just saw my parents pass. There was a cop car in front of them and an ambulance too."
Mason's jaw goes taut.
"Come on, we can take my truck."
We skid out of the library parking lot and head down the street. Pretty soon, we are at the edge of town. I check my mom's location on my phone.

"No.." I whisper.
Mason looks over at me.
"What is it?"
"It's Rylee."
"How do you know?"
"She gave me the address of the friend's house that she was going to, just in case Tacoma couldn't pick her up. That's where my mom is headed."
Mason grits his teeth together and presses down on the gas pedal a little harder.

"Do you pray?" He asks.
"Yes."
"I'd say that it's a good time to start saying your prayers."
I nod.
God, I know that you see me. You rule the universe, and a sparrow can't fall to the ground without you noticing.
Help us all. Help Mom and Dad. Help Mica especially.

.....God, help Tacoma. He has so much bitterness in his heart. I don't see how he can bear much more. I know that I have a lot of anger towards him, but he doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve the loss of one of his baby sisters!
God, if it would be your will, be with Rylee and keep her safe.
Keep her alive.
                         ***
I can see the black smoke as soon as we leave town. Within five minutes, we arrive at the house.
A sob escapes my throat. As we get out out of the truck, I stumble. Mason takes a hold of my elbow with his hand and pulls me into a tight hug. He brushes the hair out of my eyes and I feel a bit safer, but I think I can feel my heart breaking. I feel Mason brush the tears from my face. He hugs me even tighter.

"Listen, I know this is bad, but you need to scrape it together. You won't be a help to anyone like this."
I take a deep breath and lift my chin.
"There's my girl. Now let's go."
We reach my parents just as the firefighters exit the building.
They are empty handed.
The Fire Chief walks up to my mom and dad, and I feel Mason's hand grip mine.

"I'm very sorry to have to tell you, but your daughter, was not in the building."
"Not in the building?" My mom exclaimed.
"Yes ma'am. I regret to have to inform you, but I'm afraid your daughter is no longer with us. You have my condolences."

My mom gasps back a sob.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes ma'am. The other girl at home, a Miss Paige Zink, assured me that your daughter was in there. I'm sorry for your loss."

(IM CRYING AT MY OWN STINKIN BOOK!!! 😭😭😭😭😭)