Today is hotter than usual, probably because of climate change. Mom and dad are on a cruise and won’t be back for a couple more weeks so I’m stuck looking after Will and Eclipse on my own though Eclipse is like a second mother to Will, so I won’t really be the only one. It’s probably because of her gentle personality although I sometimes wonder if it’s because she lost her only foal around the time Will was born so she treats him like he is her foal. “Tasha?” Will said.

“What is it Will?” I answered

“What is that?” Will asked as he pointed up ahead. A flickering blur of red caught my attention.

At that moment I felt Eclipse wiggling from under me. I was afraid that she would bolt but she stayed still. Movement caught my eye and then I realized how much danger we would be in if we stayed.

 

“Come on Eclipse, lets go.” I said urgently as the fire began to grow larger. There were still lots of things to burn on the ground and it was supposed to get windy in the afternoon.

“what’s happening?” will asked.

“We need to get out of here, There’s a fire!” I said as Eclipse cantered away from the fire and up the hill.”

Eclipse passed the old barn across the dirt road from their house. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Are we going to be, ok?” Will asked with fear in his voice.

“Yes, our house is surrounded by dirt, and it goes far out so the fire will not be able to get very close, but we should still be careful.” I warned. I quickly got Will off Eclipse and put her in her stall not bothering to take off her tack just in case they had to leave quickly but of course I did not tell Will that. Then I got Will settled and clamed down in the house and let him watch some TV. 

I texted mom saying there was a fire, but it was faraway and will and I are fine, but she did not text me back, but I did not think about it much because mom and dad were on a cruise and were probably busy with something.

 I saw a new text from Aunt Jill saying she will be over in a day or two. Aunt Jill had been coming over every once and a while to check on us while mom and dad are on that cruise. Aunt Jill is mom’s sister, and they are very close so she is here a lot especially during the holidays.

 The cartoon Will is watching is loud and ridiculous, but I don’t say anything. At that moment I heard a neighing sound. “Eclipse!” I screamed.

I recognized the voice. “Aunt Jill?”  I asked.

“Oh! Tasha, it’s you!” Aunt Jill said.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I walked over to hug her.

“I was just trying to get Eclipses tack of but she does not know me very well, so I guess she spooked when I opened the door.” Aunt Jill explained. “Why did you not take her tack off?”  Aunt Jill asked.

“I was in a hurry. I saw a fire and I had to get back home quick, and I was worried about Will so I guess it must have slipped my mind.” I explained as I finished tacking off and putting away Eclipses tack.

“What? Are you sure you saw a fire?” Aunt Jill asked. I nodded my head in response realizing there was no one to call to help put it out.

“Then I guess I should stay here until it goes out. Hopefully its not going to be a big one.” Aunt Jill said. “Oh. I have something important to tell you.” Aunt Jill’s voice cracked.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I pet Eclipses withers.

“I think we should go inside for this.” Aunt Jill said with a worried look on her face and a little crease appeared between her eyebrows. That was never a good sigh when it came to Aunt Jill.

Aunt Jill took me back inside the house and went to the kitchen away from where Will was watching cartoons. “What is it? Is everything ok?” I asked.

“Honestly? No, it’s not ok.” Aunt Jill said with the crease still between her eyebrows. “Its really bad news.” I started to really worry. 

“Just tell me and get it over with.” I said with panic in my voice.

“Ok.” Aunt Jill said then took several deep breaths. “Your parents drowned during their cruise. I found out a few days ago.” The world stopped and my heart dropped to my feet. Are they really gone? Is this some kind of sick joke?

What am I going to tell Will? No. I can’t tell Will. My thoughts swarmed my mind, and I could not hear Aunt Jill say my name. “Tasha? I know it not easy and its not going to be, but we have to focus on the bigger things right now.”

Aunt Jill said with sorrow mixed with what sounded like determination and in her voice. 

“How could you say that?” I said with my voice low enough so that Will could not hear. My fear came true. I was afraid that the ship would sink, and I was right. I got lost in my thoughts again and went to the nearest chair and sat down. I cleared my head enough so that I could steal a quick glance at Aunt Jill.

 Her expression was a mix of fear, sorrow, and worry. I thought about getting up to comfort her because she and mom were always super close when a thud caught my attention.

 

   The thud had been small, but it caught everyone’s attention. “What was that?” Aunt Jill asked. “I will be right back.” Aunt Jill said as she made her way to the door. Will and I ran to the window where the sound had come from waiting for Aunt Jill to see what it was. Aunt Jill got the window, and her eyes grew wide when she saw what it was. Aunt Jill bolted for the door and ran inside to grab an empty box and a tissue. “What happened? What did you find?” I asked. Aunt Jill ran out the door before she could answer. Moments later she brought the box back inside and put in on the counter and stared at it. “What is it?” I asked.

“Let me see!” Will said in his squeaky four-year-old voice.

I peeked inside the box. There was a bird laying on its back with one wing bleeding and the other missing chunks of feathers and what looked like blisters. “What happened?” I asked. 

“It must have gotten burnt from the fire a few miles out and broke its wing when it crashed.” Aunt Jill said. “I don’t know what to do to help because all the vets are too far away and with the fire, we will never be able to get there. And look the breathing is slowing a lot.” 

“What should we do?” I asked not being able to feel any sadness for anything else besides for my parents.

“We can’t do anything, so we have to just leave it alone until it dies.” Aunt Jill said. “Tasha?” can I talk to you over there?” Aunt Jill said tilting her head towards the living room. “You can go watch your cartoons, Will.” Aunt Jill said trying to look like everything was fine. But I wasn’t fine! Mom and dad are gone and now the fire and the bird! Nothing has been going right this week. “Your mom left something for you” Aunt Jill said when they were both sitting on one of the chairs in the living room.

“What is it?” I asked as my eyes widened. Aunt Jill took out a small grey box from her pocket. “I got it out of the drawer were John kept it.” Aunt Jill said with what sounded like a hint of fear in her voice. She was talking about Uncle John. Aunt Jill had aways seemed scared or nervous when someone asked about him and when she got to our house too. 

Mom would also aways say that she was safe at our house, but I never knew what that meant but I never really cared that much. I never met him, but I always thought that he was nice because Aunt Jill always was, and they lived in a super nice house but at that moment I didn’t what to think about that. I wanted to know what was in that box.

                                                                Chapter 6

 

 Aunt Jill opened the box and sitting inside was a locket with intricate swirls. Inside the locket was a picture of mom and dad holding me as a toddler and Will as a baby. ‘’Where did you get this?” I asked blinking back tears. 

“Your mom told me she wanted to give this to you when you turned thirteen and I went looking for it when I heard the news because I wanted to give it to you early.” Aunt Jill said with a voice crack.

“Why did you say you got it out of the drawer uncle John kept it in?” I asked.

“Well, um. That’s a story for another time.” Aunt Jill said quickly. I didn’t care though. I was just happy I had something to remember them by. “What about Will? He will start asking questions and get worried.” I asked.

“I… don’t know.” Aunt Jill said slowly. “I will have to think of a good time to tell him, but I think you should be the one to do it because he looks up to you the most.” Aunt Jill said. 

“Ok.” I said. Just as I thought everything was starting to get better, I heard a crash and a scream then the dead bird slid across the floor to our feet.

 

 Aunt Jill and I both screamed and stared in horror at the bird that used to be on the counter in a box but was now on the floor. I became sick to my stomach as Aunt Jill ran to the kitchen and checked on Will while I stood there in disbelief. I broke out of my daze when I heard Eclipse neigh.

 I ran to the window that was closest to the barn and my heart dropped when I saw flames getting closer. I ran to where Will and Aunt Jill were to see what was going on. Will speaking frantically and saying that they had to leave. 

Aunt Jill looked me in the eyes and “said pack as many things as you can we have to go.” I ran to the room Will, and I shared because the house only had two small bedrooms one bathroom and a small living room and kitchen that were connected. I grabbed the only two bags we owned and started shoving clothes and other things in them. We didn’t own many things, so I got everything we owned in the bags.

 Even the two toys Will and I shared. I hauled the bags back to the living room and we all shared a look. “GET IN MY CAR!” Aunt Jill yelled. I used my foot to open the door and a wave a hot air blasted my face as I ran to Aunt Jills car. I dropped everything onto the ground to open the door, but it was locked. “AUNT JILL! THE CAR IS LOCKED!” I screamed.

 I watched Aunt Jill fumble to get the keys through the two open doors. I heard a click from the car, and I flung the door open and tossed the bags inside as Aunt Jill put Will in the car from the other side. “Eclipse! I yelled as I slammed the door shut. “GO ON WITHOUT ME!” I yelled back to Aunt Jill.

“WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY? I CAN’T LEAVE YOU!” Aunt Jill protested.

“I CAN’T LEAVE ECLIPSE!  SHE CAN’T GET IN YOUR CAR AND IT WILL TAKE TOO LONG TO GET THE TRAILER HOOKED UP!” I yelled back. I kicked the barn door open as dust fell from the ceiling.

 “NO!” I screamed. We took her tack off! I thought. Panic hit me but I couldn’t leave her.

 After the panic faded a little determination took over and I grabbed her bridle without the bit and her saddle and saddle pad. Luckily the fire was far enough that I did not have to fumble but even with the dirt around the house and the road, the fire would still bake us alive. 

After what seemed like forever, I finished putting eclipse tack on and mounted as fast as possible and bolted out the open doors. I saw Aunt Jills shock as we cantered passed the car and onto the tree surrounded road, but it was the only road that was not already burning because all the other ones had leaves and sticks on them. Behind me I heard the car start.

 Eclipse seemed to realize what was going on and started cantering faster until it was almost a gallop. We both heard the car following us and I saw the big bolder on the side of the road which was my landmark and I silently celebrated knowing 

                                                    Chapter 8

 

Eclipse screeched to a stop, and I almost flew over her head. “Come on! Seriously?” I yelled. Aunt Jill honked behind me. “Tasha! What happed?” Aunt Jill asked.

“A tree branch fell, but its small enough so that you can go over it.” I told Aunt Jill. Aunt Jill honked at me to keep moving so I told Eclipse to hop over the branch and once she did Aunt Jill plowed over the branch making a crunch sound.  I motioned Aunt Jill to follow me and kept moving but something didn’t feel right. Almost like something was warning me.

 Eclipse stopped moving. “What is it, Eclipse? We have to keep going.” I told her. But she still wouldn’t budge. My chest ached and my head was spinning from the smoke. “Eclipse, let’s go.” I said. But she still would not move. 

Just then there was a blast of sparks, and I realized a tree up ahead had imploded. Eclipse spooked but didn’t run away with me. I made her go back to a canter and Aunt Jill followed. Finally! I can see the road. I thought. When we made it out I saw police cars and ambulances on the other side of the road. 

            Someone wearing a blue vest came up to me. “Excuse me miss are you okay? I saw you come from the forest and part of it is on fire.” Eclipse panicked from under me and I struggled to keep her under control as the man wearing the vest took a few steps back. 

“Yes, I’m fine but my house caught on fire and my aunt and brother where behind me.” I said looking back down the path. The man with the vest looked worried.

“Are they on another horse?” the man asked.

“No, they are in a car.” I answered. 

“Ok, my name is Sam. Can I ask your name and age?” Sam asked.

“I’m Tasha Newman I’m 12 years old.” I answered.

“What about your aunt and brother?” Sam asked.

“My aunt is Jill Frentman she is 32. My brother is Will Newman and is 4.” I said.

“What about your parents?” Sam asked. I flinched and tears filled my eyes turning my vison blurry. 

“Are you okay?” Sam asked. I shook my head then wiped my eyes with my arm. 

“Ow!” I squeaked.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked. He got a closer look at my arm. “Looks like a burn. Don’t worry its not that bad.” Sam reassured me. “Stacy! We have a girl with a burn over here!” Sam called. A blonde girl who was also wearing a blue vest ran over.

“Hi there! I heard you have a burn. Can I treat it for you? Stacy asked. I nodded. “Good! I’m going to need you to get off your horse first.” Stacy said. I hesitated but then got off Eclipse. I let Stacy clean the burn on my arm and put a bandage on it.

“Does anywhere else hurt?” Stacy asked. I shook my head. 

“Do you have anywhere to go? Any relatives?” Sam Asked me. I started to shake my head then stopped. Uncle John. I thought.

“Kind of.” I muttered. Sam looked confused. 

“I have an uncle, but I have never met him before and no one seems to like him or talk about him. Sam looked even more confused. Sam continued asking me questions when I heard a siren then saw a helicopter.

 

            The siren came from fire trucks and the helicopter was for fires and the helicopter dropped something on the fire. I grabbed Eclipses reins and took her away from the path we had been standing in front of. “Do you know your uncles phone number?” Sam asked.

“No but I know my aunts phone number to the phone they keep at their house.” I said.

I told Sam the phone number and he talked to Uncle John for three minutes until he hung up. Sam looked sorry for me when he told me that Uncle John would come to pick me up in about half an hour. He asked me about Eclipse, and I told him that she could stay at the barn where we took her for when we went on trips. 

About forty minutes lates I saw a rusty old truck coming down the road. When it stopped Uncle John came out and he was wearing a white shirt and jeans. He smiled at me and motioned for me to get in the car. I told Sam goodbye and hugged Eclipse. She was going to get picked up by people from the barn later. “Your name is Tasha, right?” Uncle John asked. 

“Yeah.” I muttered. Then I realized something was off.  “Why aren’t you worried about Aunt Jill? She could still be alive!” I said.

“Who? Oh, you mean my wife. That doesn’t matter, she is useless anyways.” Uncle John said. What? Useless? How could he say that about his own wife! He doesn’t care at all! That’s when I noticed beer bottles on the floor of the car. I looked at Uncle John and he pulled out a beer. 

“What are you doing? You aren’t supposed to drink and drive!” I said.

“Hey! Don’t tell me what to do!” Uncle John slammed his fist on the storage space between the front seats. Now I get why Aunt Jill seamed nervous while talking about Uncle John. He was an alcoholic and abusive. I got to get out of here. I thought to myself. My heart raced and my head ached. Just then I saw movement in the bushes that were not on fire yet. 

Aunt Jill and Will! I burst out of the car and ran towards them. When I got to them I strangle hugged Aunt Jill and Will.  “What happened? You were right behind me! I thought you were gone!” I told Aunt Jill.

Aunt Jill and Will coughed and hacked while I backed away to give them space. I realized they were covered in dirt and smelled like smoke. “A tree caught on fire and fell in our path, and we had to get out of the car to get past the fire.” Aunt Jill wheezed. 

“Get them to a hospital!” someone yelled. Someone guided aunt Jill and Will to an ambulance then someone grabbed my arm.

            

            The hand had come from Uncle John. “What are you doing I need to go with them!” I said angrily as he kept me from going to the ambulance.

“They will be fine! You need to come with me.” Uncle John said. Aunt Jill and Will got into the ambulance, and I struggled to free myself from Uncle Johns hand. Suddenly he dropped his arm. “Where did you get that?” Uncle John said pointing to my necklace. “That is mine!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Tasha! Come on!” Aunt Jill called from the ambulance still wheezing. I started walking over.

“Fine! have it your way!” Uncle John said. He got back in his car and started speeding down the road. Then he took a turn and a tree that was on fire fell on his truck. I could only stare in shock as a few people ran over to check if he was okay.

 Time no longer existed, and I stood there for what seemed like forever. He was gone just like that. Someone dragged me into the ambulance, and I felt it start moving. Before I knew it we were at the hospital and when I finally looked up and snapped out of my daze there was a nurse walking toward me. “Are you okay sweetie?” the nurse asked.

 I didn’t respond. “I came to tell you that your aunt has a fractured arm, and your brother is bruised but otherwise they both are fine. But…” She waited until I looked up at her. “Your uncle is… dead.” I knew that the moment the tree fell but I guess I was just waiting for someone to confirm it because I still felt surprised. I didn’t know what to feel. I understood that he was a bad person, but I should also feel sad. Time flew by again while my head swirled with thoughts and worries and soon, I was in a car again. I saw will and Aunt Jill, but I didn’t say anything. As I got lost in my thoughts again something pushed me forward, but my seatbelt caught me. 

What happened? Had I suffered the same fate and Uncle John? When my head cleared, I saw flames outside the window, and I began feeling the heat. I didn’t know what happed but somehow, we had crashed, and the fire had surrounded us. I saw that we were in a taxi, and I heard Will crying and Aunt Jill trying but failing to calm him. 

“Tasha, we have to get out. The car will not start, and the driver took a blow to the head and is not moving.” I unbuckled my seat belt and peaked at the driver. He had blood dripping down his neck and was not breathing. Two people in one day? What is happening?

When Aunt Jill got us out of the destroyed taxi I looked around. Walls of flames surrounded us, and breathing was becoming impossible. Then… I saw a sliver of a clearing that we could go through. I showed Aunt Jill, and she took Will’s hand and started running. I followed. We kept running until I could not see smoke anymore and I looked around and realized that we were at a closed supermarket, and it was dark out. 

Then I realized there had been a tree that the taxi slammed into and the wildfire from home must have spread up to where we were. I look over at Aunt Jill and she is on the phone with the police. Soon after we were back at the hospital and a day later I found myself with Will and Aunt Jill at her house and she was holding about five bags full of stuff for Will and I.

“Thank you for letting us live with you and for replacing all our stuff.” I told Aunt Jill.

“No problem! I’m not happy about Uncle John but now it’s safer here.

We went inside the house and Aunt Jill showed us our new rooms and we decorated them with the new things Aunt Jill got us. We had dinner and I went to bed and drifted off to sleep.

                                                 Chapter 12

 

            I now live with Aunt Jill, and I do everything a normal kid does. I am now fifteen and Will is seven. When got Eclipse back we got her a filly named Gildie who had lost her mother so Eclipse could foster her. I wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares that I am trapped in the fire again but there is no way out this time.

 I have a therapist for what I went through in that fire three years ago, but the fire ended up destroying half of the forest I lived in. my traumatic experience pushed me to help with climate change so there won’t be forests being destroyed and rising flames again.