Ashes to Ashes

WE FALL ONTO THE COOL GREEN GRASS. I CAN’T stop coughing, I can’t get air into my lungs. I can hardly even see, my eyes are so watery.

Beside me Kat is doubled over, heaving and spitting black soot into the grass. Her face is streaked with ash and sweat. “Mary!” she screams, hoarse. We stare up at the burning house.

In that moment Mary’s house becomes a fireball. Every inch of it is embers. The house lights up the whole sky like a second sun. I see Reeve in the grass. He’s still moving. I crawl over to him and press on his wrists as hard as I can.

Sirens wail in the distance. Whatever brought Mary back, whatever brought us together, it’s over. Mary is gone. Kat sobs against me, full-body racking sobs, and I hold her tight. I can hear the sirens, getting closer and closer. I feel Reeve’s pulse. He’s alive.

He’s free. We all are.

Because whatever Mary was in the end, she saved us.