Hope you enjoy! Sorry.....

A thin slit of light flickered in and out of sight. The curtains swayed in a cool breeze, causing Fritzs to shiver, and pull his thin blanket around himself. His eyes slowly opened, and he groaned in frustration. He flipped onto his back with a yawn, and after a minute sat up. His room was messier than usual. Papers were stacked around randomly, each with a separate list and little doodles on the side. He flung his feet over the side of his bed and got up silently, hoping his family was asleep. He moved swiftly across the room and picked up the nearest list. He looked at the contents,

NECESSITIES

Food

Water

Paints

Paper

A bed

He stared at it for a minute, memorizing the items, then he pulled out a small bag from under his bed. He blew the dust off and it went into a large cloud in the air. He coughed under his breath and then opened it quickly. He grabbed his canteens that he had prepared last night, and shoved them in the bag, soon followed by the food and paints. He neatly folded some papers and laid them in the bag lightly, hoping they wouldn’t get wrinkled.

Once he had zipped it up, he swung it over his shoulder, exhaling loudly. He tromped down the stairs just in time to see Marissa exit his father's room, a solemn look on her face. “What's wrong?” He asked her, hiding his bag behind his back. She smiled sadly, “Well, I’m leaving.”

“What!” Fritz exclaimed, then he clamped a hand over his mouth. No one needed to know what he felt for Marissa, and him yelling wouldn’t help. But she just nodded, “Yes. Me and my younger brother, who’s Carla's age, are heading across the wood.” she said, looking downwards and fiddling with her apron. “I’m actually trained to be a doctor, and I just received a raise here, so I have enough to move with him. Now.”

“Oh.” Fitz said. He felt his face drop. But he forced a grin, he didn't know why he was upset, he was leaving too, and he wasn’t going to see her again anyway. “Well, good for you! I really hope you enjoy your new job.” He said. “Thanks.” She replied looking downward. He waited a moment, taking in her beauty before he turned and let his face fall. “Wait!” she said. He turned back to her. “Yah?” he said. She gripped her apron again, which she seemed to do when she was nervous, “Have you heard of the annual library star-gazing and read?” She asked hopefully, meeting his eyes. “No. What is it?” Fritz responded, pushing the possibilities running through his head away. “Well, we basically just look at the stars while the old librarian reads a story.” she shrugged. “It’s tonight and since it’s my last night here I was wondering if you would want to come with me.” She mumbled the last part, and they both turned crimson. He opened his mouth to respond “yes” eagerly but he remembered Charlies words, “I’ll be a settin the distraction when the younins get to schools.” and he had just heard the back door close, Troy and Carla leaving for school. “No.” He said. He couldn’t look at her but he could tell that tears had sprung to her eyes. “Oh.” She whispered, turning around. But Fritz wouldn’t say anything else. He couldn’t hurt her more than he already had. So he swung his bag over his shoulder and left without another word. But as the door closed he could have sworn he heard someone crying.

He headed down the main path to the school building, as he did everyday. Then once he saw the large rock Charlie had told him to hide behind he ducked behind it, watching young rabbits enter the school building. After a minute he turned back, and slouched to the ground, letting out a groan of frustration. He realized he was already thirsty and he pulled his bag off his back, then opened it. It smelled strange. He leaned in, sniffing the inside, maybe something had leaked and rotted long ago. Then he recognized the smell, it was familiar but he couldn't quite place it. Until he heard a scream, “FIRE!”

Fritz bolted to his feet and ran around the rock. He could see a strip of fire running from one foot of a building to another. So that was Charlie's idea of a distraction. He watched, frozen, unsure of what to do as fire spread up the buildings, engulfing them. Screams filled the air, and he returned his gaze to the school. The roof was on fire. It burned and he could hear screams of panic, and of pain. The grass caught, and blazed wildly. He backed up, too shocked to do anything else. The whole village was ablaze. Buildings burned and screams echoed. Smoke had filled the air and he dragged his shirt over his mouth. His eyes watered and tears leaked out. He realized he had to save as many as he could. This was his fault after all. And he knew Where to start. He ran out from his shelter behind the rock and bolted through the grime to the school. And as it became clearer he saw a small doe hobbling along as more screams filled the air. She fell and sobbed on the ground, “Oh nononononono!” Fritz said, kneeling next to her. “What's wrong, what can I do! My siblings are in there!!! How?” He sobbed. “How can I save them!”

“I- I- I- I’m- the- only- one small- enough!” She wailed. She fell into a coughing fit. Fritz couldn’t waste his time on her. He bolted the last steps to the school and banged on the door trying to knock it over. “Carla!” He screamed, tears streaming down his face, “Troy! Please. Please answer me!” A voice echoed through the door. “Help! The ro- *cough* it's going to collapse!”

“TROY!” he screamed, “ANSWER ME!” there came no answer for a moment, then he heard a small voice say, “I’m so sorry... Them, and all the others in the back, they're all gone.”

Gone

Gone

Gone

The voice echoed in his head. They were gone. Dead. and it was his fault. A numbness spread through him, and he could no longer feel the denseness of the smoke, or hear the shrill screams.

Gone

Then the roof started to collapse. It all happened in slow motion. Screams, the structure giving way. A hand clamping around his mouth, tears of another, staining his fur. A bright explosion, and then darkness. With only one word echoing through his mind

Gone