Page 146 of Here With Me
“I smelled smoke and looked around to see where it was comin’ from.”
“In the house?” I whip off the covers, then quickly remember I can’t walk. “Can you hand me my crutches?”
She grabs them from the wall. “Outside! It’s close by because the smell is strong. I think it’s coming from the family barn.”
Oh my God.The horses.A wave of panic rolls through me.
“We need to call the fire department.” I grab my boot, then slip on one of my shoes.
“I did already. Also called Landen and Tripp to alert your parents.”
“Okay, good.” I can’t stop thinking about Donut and all of our other horses. They must be so scared.
“Ready?” she asks when I stand with my crutches.
“Yeah—” The house rattles, making me fall back on the bed. I’ve never felt anything like that before. “Holy shit! Was that an explosion?”
Magnolia stumbles before she helps me back up. “Fuck. You okay? Almost felt like an earthquake.”
The fear in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. Something is very wrong.
“We need to go,” I say urgently.
As soon as we get outside, the smell is stronger, but it’s too dark to see exactly where the smoke’s coming from.
She helps me into her car, and as we drive away, I spot Fisher’s truck hidden by some trees.
“What the hell is he doin’ here? Can you check if he’s inside?”
She parks, then quickly looks into his windows. When she hops in, she shakes her head. “It’s empty, but there’s pillows and blankets in the way back.”
“What? He’s sleepin’ out here?” My heart pounds as I fear for his well-being. If he’s not here, then where could he be?
Sirens blast as they speed up the long driveway that leads to the main house. You have to go that route to reach the barn, but I’m not waiting. I need to see what’s going on now.
“Let’s go.” Magnolia slams on the gas, and soon we see the smoke coming from the family barn.
“Oh my God!” I can hardly breathe when I see flames coming through the window.
Magnolia parks next to Landen’s truck, and we both get out. The security lights are on, but I don’t see anyone. They have to be here somewhere, though.
“Landen! Tripp!” I shout.
The smoke is so strong I choke on it as I get closer. I call and text Fisher but get no response.
“Noah, look out.” Magnolia points at the fire trucks, and we move back before they run us over. Three of them arrive with two ambulances.
Tripp appears from the other side of the barn to tell us Landen went inside.
“What, why?” I gasp.
He shrugs. “I told him to wait, but he doesn’t listen to me.”
When my parents and the twins arrive, we huddle together and wait.
The whole scene is chaotic as we watch it unfold. I feel so goddamn helpless not being able to do anything while a barn filled with my horses is on fire. Hearing them squeal and whine have me in a panic.
“Please!” I beg one of the firefighters. “My brother and horses are in there! Can ya get them out?”
