Ash and smoke filled the air, thick enough to choke on. Aria stumbled between the trees, coughing hard, her eyes burning from the heat and soot. The sting in her lungs persisted even after she pulled her scarf over her nose. The forest around her was on fire.
Just hours ago, it had been peaceful. A small camping trip-just her, Jordan, and a few others from the media team. They had planned it as a short break from the city. One weekend. Some photos. A little quiet.
But that calm night had turned into a nightmare.
The fire didn't spread like a normal one. Fast and wild, it had exploded when an odd wind blew through the woods. She was cooking marshmallows beneath the stars one moment, and then everything became loud and red the next. The ground shook. Trees lit up in seconds. Flames jumped high, like they were alive.
"Aria!" someone shouted.
She spun around. That was Jordan's voice-somewhere behind her.
"Jordan!" she called back, voice hoarse.
No answer.
She tried to push toward the sound, but her body was near breaking. Her soaked boots were heavy from the stream she'd crossed earlier. Her legs burned from running.