I can't believe my ears. My parents. They can't be dead! My mind is whirling. I look down at the cup of pink stuff, then at Niky. She nods. I gulp down all the medicine. I start feeling drowsy. I lay down and soon I'm drifting off to sleep.

• • •

I wake up in a dark room. I look around. There's nothing in here. Something touches my shoulder. "Run." a voice whispers. But I can't. My feet are stuck to the ground. I struggle to move, but I can't.

I feel heat against my back and I look over my shoulder. Flames begin to surround me and they light up the dark room. I can see a bed and a dresser. I'm in my room, and it's burning down right in front of me. I look at the wall where my window is. I see a bright flashing lights and I hear sirens. The police.

"Julia!" I spin around to see my parents in the doorway. My mom looks panicked, she runs forward but my dad stops her just as flames rise up in front of her. She yelps. I try to call to her but no sound comes out of my mouth. My mom screams and wails. Tears run down her cheeks. I look at my dad. He is smiling.

Smiling? Why is he smiling? His smile turns into a smug grin and he pushes my mom into the flames. She makes a noise that sounds like a pig squealing. I try to scream but I can't. I look at my dad, I don't know why I look at him though. I hate him. He murdered my mother. He pushed her into the fire.

I stare into his eyes. They are filled with hatred. He walks toward me, through the fire, until he stands a few inches away. I feel his breath on my face as he crouches down to my level. His eyes are bright red. I can feel them staring into my soul. They burn my heart, like the fire that surrounds us.

My father. The one who grilled hot dogs on nice summer days. The one who fixed my dolls with super glue when their heads popped off. The one who kept me safe. The one I loved. He has no emotions now, his red eyes keep staring. I loved him, but now he's gone. I lunge at him. He's evil. He doesn't deserve to live. He's heartless.

• • •

My eyes open. I squint. The bright lights hurt. I'm no longer in my room. I'm in the hospital room. I sit up and look around. The door is open. I stand up and realize that I'm no longer hooked up to the machines. I smile and walk forward. My injury doesn't burn anymore.

I peek down the hallway. Nothing. Then I hear something. "-died in a fire?" I keep listening. "Yes she was saved, but her parents..." I stop listening. I know they are talking about me. I walk down the hall. I cautiously turn the corner . I listen again. "Poor thing. Let us take her to Zugzwang. She will love it there!" It's a woman's voice.

I turn the next corner and I see a tall man in a red business suit. He has shaggy black hair. He is with a woman much shorter than him. She has pale skin with light blonde hair. It is in a high ponytail , tied back with a white bow. She is wearing a short white dress. The two odd figures are talking to Dr. Santoro and Niky. "Please let us take her." the man says.

Dr. Santoro looks worried. "But, she's been sleeping for days!" he says. The woman nods. "Let me see her again." she says. And that's when the turn to see me.