Page 70 of In the Dust

The warm wind whips my hair as I walk down the steps.

The sun is setting, casting a red radiance over everything. I can see embers flicking from afar as strips of thin ash rain down on the pasture.

Is this what my dad is in right now? The thought alone sends shivers down my spine.

No. He’s in much, much worse.

Miles and miles of scorching, unrestrained fire.

I look over to the stables, watching as Colton drives the tractor as fast as he can around the barn.

The atmosphere is surreal. I can do this.

I start making my way towards Colton when an orange glow catches my eye, causing them to widen as I turn my head towards the source.

In a split second, I break out into a sprint, trying to cross the field. My lungs feel like they’re going to collapse as I use every ounce of strength I have. The closer I get, the thicker the smoke is and the harder it is to breathe.

I can’t seem to get there fast enough, though.

A faint voice sounds in the distance. “Dixie!”

My arms swing back and forth as my feet pound the earth.

“Dixie, stop!” The voice seems closer, but I can’t stop now, I’m almost there.

A loud horn blares in my direction, stealing my attention. It’s Colton, heading right for me in the tractor.

I silently send him an ‘I’m sorry’ as I return my eyes back to my destination.

Faster, I need to run faster.

But I can’t.

Everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion as I fall to my knees.

How did it get here so fast? This can’t be happening.

I watch as the last few things I had left of her are consumed by flaring, orange and red flames. I let out a guttural scream as tears continuously flow down my face.

Her painting. Her paintings. My painting. All gone in the blink of an eye.

I couldn’t save them, just like I couldn’t save her.

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