Suvi clutched Ben tightly, trying to keep his nose and mouth covered by the blanket as he gasped for breath. A voice ranted inside her, sounding like Tom and her father rolled into one: You should never have taken that drink. Never. Your son is going to die and it is all your fault.
“No!” she said out loud. “I won’t let him die. I won’t.” A long ago school lesson returned — when fire is nigh, stay low, not high. Immediately she dropped down, clutching Ben to her belly like an animal. She crawled to the window, then used a wooden stool to shatter the pane. A cooling breath of air gave her the strength to stand.
Outside, in the darkness, she could see many flashing lights. Three men, in heavy jackets and helmets, hurried towards the front door of the building. “Help!” Suvi cried. “Help my
