I smelled it before I topped the last rise on the road to our property. Then I saw the orange glow above the trees that lined the driveway. I stepped on the accelerator and tore up the drive, gravel spitting in every direction. Expecting to see Mom and Craig in the front yard with Dad lying in the grass, my blood chilled when I saw no one. Slamming on the brakes far enough away from the heat that I hoped the gas in the truck wouldn’t explode, I flung the truck into park, got out, and ran to the front door. The living room at the far side of the house seemed to be the most affected by the fire. My voice was hoarse from calling for Mom, Dad, and Craig. No one answered. Though there were no flames in the kitchen yet, the doorknob was hot. Wrapping the tail of my shirt around the knob, I pushe
