I forced my feet to run away as fast as I could until I found myself wandering in the woods. Damp earthy scent met the darkness of the forest that even the moonlight barely passed through the thick canopy of trees.
Even with all what happened on my eighteenth birthday, I still knew the road to my cottage, the place where I constantly ran to when my father or sister beat me up. It was the only place in the world where I could be myself, away from anyone’s eyes, where I spent lots of time healing myself since childhood.
I entered and unlocked the door with the key I always hang around my neck. The cottage was the same, it looked the same and felt the same: my home in the heart of nowhere.
I crawled to bed even with this ridiculous dress. With its familiar scent and peaceful surroundings, I drowned my sorrows and anger into a nice good sleep.
I woke up to the smell of something burning, smoky air stinging my eyes and rendering me breathless. Huge, bright orange lights were dancing in the corner of my sight—
Fire. The cottage was on fire. All around me was on fire.
“Help! Help me!”