Chapter 26

The ride up the mountain was marked by family sing alongs as was the usual with Anna’s family. They were always a lot of fun growing up. Amaris had gone on family trips with Anna and her family and they would go fishing or to the lake. They drove with the windows down. It was a beautiful, warm day. The mountain breeze made it pleasant. They wove up the mountain switchback roads toward Lyle’s village. As they drew closer she began to smell the smokey smell that lingered on the air from all the fires. When they had gotten within a couple miles Anna’s father looked at Amaris in the rearview mirror and asked her to duck down before they got into town. He felt it was safer for her not to be seen. Amaris took off her seat belt and got down on her hands and knees on the floor of the back seat. The good mood suddenly shifted and no one was singing or joking around anymore.

They drove into town and the family saw for the first time with their own eyes the devastation that had been wrought just a couple nights before. Anna reached down and held Amaris’ hand. Amaris looked up from where she was hiding and saw Anna’s mother in the front seat with tears silently running down her face. As Amaris peaked up to look out the window the damage looked far worse in the day light. All the houses that were within Amaris’ view were burned to the ground. There was nothing left. Amaris ducked her head down again hiding her tears. She knew that the reason the village had been burned was because they did not give her up.

The car began to weave and turn as they made their way through the debris that was still in the streets. “Lyle just texted he said to meet him at the far side of the town. He is taking her back to his great grandfather’s cabin. Amaris began to feel nervous. It was the first time that she would be seeing Lyle since she ran away from the cabin. The first time that she would see him after his brother told her that he was in love with her. “Has he found Gran?” Amaris said from her kneeling position. “He did not say, but you can ask him in a couple minutes. He is meeting us there.” Anna’s Mom leaned over from the front seat and whispered to Amaris.

Amaris felt some butterflies in her stomach at the thought of seeing Lyle again.

The car moved out of the village. Amaris kept her head down so she did not have to see anymore of the destruction. As they entered the woods again they moved onto a dirt road and it became bumpy.

“You can sit up now. We are out of the village now.” Anna’s Dad to Amaris. Amaris clambered back onto the seat but did not put her seatbelt on. She did not think it was that much further. Soon, through the trees she could see the cabin, only this time there were several cars and trucks parked outside, as well as a number of quads.

“They are using this as a shelter for many of the members who lost their homes in the fires. Since this house is big and has many rooms it is ideal. We will all be staying there as well.”

Anna and Amaris looked at each other. Amaris could not understand why Anna’s family did not go home. Once they were rid of her they would not be in danger anymore.

“I thought you guys would go home after you dropped me off. There is no need to stay really.” Amaris said hoping to spare them.

“Its fine. We would have come here anyway. They have called a meeting for tonight.”