“God, I hate you!” She screamed at her mom and then ran out the house.  Without looking back, she ran as fast as she could.  Feeling her feet pound beneath her, she took off even faster.  Arms pumping and her quick breathes coming from her mouth, she closed her eyes to feel the warmth from the sun beat down her.  Pei felt free when she wasn’t home.  She continued down the path that led down to the docks to the lake and then suddenly stopped at the shoreline.

Something told her to turn her head toward back to her house and realized in horror that her house was on fire.  Smoke emitted from the roof top and then suddenly, a boom erupted and the house exploded.  Pei screamed on the top of her lungs and sped back to her home.  She cried for her mother, but the engulfing flames drowned out her screams.  She tried to approach the steps of her home, but arms grabbed her and dragged her back.

“It’s too late! Stand back,” yelled a firefighter as he pulled Pei to safety.  She kicked and fought with the fire fighter, but he continued to hold her and faced her away from the smoke. Pet tried to free herself, but he started to hug her tightly and then another explosion came from the house.  She beat the chest of the fire fighter with her hands, but he held her steadfast and stroked her hair.  Defeated, she fell into his arms and buried her head into his chest.

“I told her I hated her before I left,” she choked out.  He shushed her with his calming rhythm of his chest and said nothing.  “What have I done?” She said quietly and the fire fighter lifted her chin with his eyes gazed down at hers.  His eyes were clear and beautiful with specks of green to offset the golden-hazel that sparkled underneath the sun.  Pei said nothing and felt so at peace with him.

“I can change that,” said the fire fighter.  Without giving her a chance to answer, he passed his hand over Pei’s face and she felt dizzy.  “Shh, Pei.  I want you to sleep for a moment,” he whispered into her ear.  He laid her gently on the ground and when she woke, everything was different.  She was at the lake, under a shaded tree and she heard nothing.  She stood instantly and looked around her.  Everything seem undisturbed and as it was, but she wasn’t too sure of herself.