I was in the car. We’d been driving home and then the brakes had screeched. A scream. Glass shattering. And then nothing.

I fumbled to release my seat belt, falling directly on my head when I did. Pain jolted through my temples and down my neck.

“Mommy?” I whimpered. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d called my mom that.

“Emma.” Dad’s voice floated to me, riding the crest of a moan. “Help.”

I tried to open my door, but it was stuck. I moved to the other side and pushed the door open. The night air was cold, bringing a sharp awareness along with the bite.

I looked at the car. It was a shattered mess, twisted metal and shards of glass everywhere. Orange flames licked out from under the hood. The smell of gas coiled with the scent of smoke.

I yanked at the driver’s door, my hands shaking.

“Help… me…” Dad moaned.

I reached over him to unfasten his seat belt. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to look at my mother’s fixed stare on the other side of the car.

Dad’s body landed heavily. “I can’t… move my legs.”

The crackle of fire reached me. I tugged on my dad’s arms, straining, finally getting him out and away from the car. The fire was spreading, flames leaping higher now, a roar as it engulfed the battered vehicle.

“I have to get Mom,” I panted.

Dad grasped my wrist, an iron shackle. “No. Don’t go. She’s dead.”

I snatched my wrist away, horrified at his words.

“No. I have to—”

The explosion pushed me back, a hot ball of fire punching me like a fist. Sounds dimmed, and I lay motionless on my back for a long time.

I rolled over, choking on blood that had pooled in my throat, and scooted closer to my dad. I gently moved his head so it was on my lap. His breath was coming in short, shallow bursts. Blood flecked his lips and smeared across his hair. His mouth was twisted in pain.

Crack.

A twig popped somewhere nearby.

“Who’s there?” My voice was thin and trembly.

Nobody answered, but a shadow moved over near the bushes by the road. My heart leaped. The shadow darted into, then out of a pale slice of moonbeam.

“Help us!” I shouted, louder now. “Please!”

But the shadow had already disappeared.…

I JERKED AWAKE, disoriented. The nightmare clung to my throat, sticky like jelly.

My eyes flew to the clock. It was almost time to meet Ben and Gabe. Josh was sleeping soundly. Where was Nate?

I slipped downstairs to find my husband crashed out on the couch. Charlie was asleep at his feet, his ears dangling over Nate’s ankles. The TV murmured quietly in the background.