My dreams were no longer a safe place. Anytime I slept, I was always plagued by nightmares. I started a habit of writing down everything I can remember from dreams as soon as I wake up. Most of it is just random words, but sometimes, I can make sense out of it. This morning’s words were; metal, ash, hair.

I stumbled out of bed, already feeling nauseous, but tried to put on a happy face for my family. We were supposed to get breakfast together this morning. That conversation felt like a lifetime ago, last night was the longest night I’ve ever endured. Equipped with my half-true smile, I shambled downstairs like a zombie, only to be greeted by an empty house.

For ten minutes, I wandered around my house, wondering if I had finally gone completely insane. I glanced out a window and did a double take, my mother’s signature curly hair was peeking out from behind a tree alongside our driveway. Outside, I found my parents, my Aunt, my Uncle, and Isaiah all staring into the distance like they were hypnotized.

“Mom,” I called out “What's going on?” my mother snapped out of her trance with a jolt.

“Lordy, Megan, you scared me.” she pointed away from me “Look, over there, do you see that? There fire everywhere, the whole town is surrounded!”

She was right, dark sheets of smoke rose straight into the sky without a breath of wind. In fact, everything was eerily still. Not a rustle, or sigh, or scratch for miles. All I heard was the drone of air tankers and a distant siren. A few of our neighbors had crept outside like scared animals. Collectively, they lifted their noses and sniffed at the sky. My dad looked down at his watch and yelped.

“God! I’m going to be late for work!” I was shocked.

“Shouldn’t we be, I don’t know, evacuating right now!?” I yelled in bewilderment. All the neighbors scrambled back inside at the sound of my voice.

“There’s no way to leave anyway.” said my dad, rushing inside to get changed.

Maybe I had woken up crazy, everyone else certainly seemed that way. Isaiah was my only beacon of sanity, he looked just as confused as me. My mother turned to with a serious look on her face.

“Dawn, Aaron, and I are going to town hall to try and get a grasp on this… situation. I think it’s best if you and Isaiah-”

“Stay out of sight.” I finished for her. She pursed her lips together. I leaned up kissed her on the cheek. “I’m okay, go ahead”

She squeezed me tightly one last time, then packed everyone into the car. Every single camera on the street watched as they drove away, but only I saw the eyes peeking through curtains. I blindly reached for Isaiah, he took my hand and ushered me inside, saying something about breakfast. All I could do was lock eyes with a stray neighbor who held a cellphone in one hand and a rock in the other.