The ax is dull and it feels like it’s taking forever to slice through the rope, but finally I get through one end and am able to untangle it from my wrists. Thick smoke and salty sweat sting my eyes. I have to close them as I work at the rope around my ankles.

The entire front of the cottage is consumed by flames. Staying low, I crawl toward the back of the cottage, but before I even reach the kitchen, I can feel the heat from more fire in that direction. Willa must have started it at both ends.

The only way out is to go upstairs and use the fire escape. Still on my hands and knees, I make it to the stairs and crawl up as quickly as I can. It’s only a matter of time before the building starts to collapse in on itself. Flames haven’t reached the second floor but the smoke has, filling the upstairs hall, blocking out the light and sucking up the oxygen.

I reach the fire escape door, roll on my back, and kick it open with all of my force. Tumbling out onto the landing of the metal staircase, I gulp in the fresh air.

I’m light-headed and dizzy, my throat is scalded and my lungs are scorched, but I’m alive. Adrenaline keeps me moving despite my shaking legs and the desire to collapse in a heap. I get down to the bottom of the fire escape and rush to the front of the building.

Flames are devouring the cottage. I want to scream for help, but my voice has been burned away. I turn in circles, looking for an answer. My phone is in the cottage. I see a flash of white across the yard. Willa darts out of the woods. She sees me and stops dead in her tracks. I don’t know if she realizes it’s me or if she still thinks I’m my mother, but her face falls, her shoulders slump as though she’s once again been defeated.

Neither of us moves for several seconds, and then suddenly she breaks into a run across the lawn, disappearing behind the burning cottage. I’m ready to chase after her when I hear someone call my name. Turning toward the lake, I see Ezra running up the path, the bright light of the fire illuminating the fear in his eyes.

“June,” he yells again, before yanking me to him and holding me against his body. His skin feels so cool against mine. He has not just walked through fire to be here.

I pull free. “Willa.” The name is croaked out, stinging my throat as it exits. I move toward the fire, and Ezra reaches out to grab me. Tugging against him, I say her name again, this time stabbing the air with a finger to show him she’s here somewhere.