rn fabric. Everything around her blurred, the sounds muffled as if she were submerged in water. Her

her voice barely audible. "Mama alw

tmare would just go away. But when she open

out, her voice cracking w

it her nostrils, making her cough. Tears rolled down h

d, shivering. "Please, my

mix of shock and sorrow. Through her tear-streaked vision, she sa

r!" one m

vivors!" anot

ightly as she could. "They'll save them,"

a cold dread settled in Jane's stomach. Watching the villagers move franti

er voice shaky. "Mama and Papa will come out

with reality, Jane understood th

hadows creeping across the chaos. Jane turned, a flicker of hope sparking b

ed in their usual frown. She stood stiffly, arms cros

ce. "What a shame. Lost some good help today."

ape this nightmare. But her feet felt heavy, as though the

with a sharp glare. "Get over here. W

and the smoldering remains of her home. "But... Mama and Papa

tly. "They're gone, girl. No use crying ov

dirt, desperate for one last glimpse of her former life

olding her doll even tighter. "Please,

're not waiting for miracles. You

arefree life-all dissolving into the smoke and sorrow. She stumbled forward, her u

tty hissed at Uncle Pat, as if Jane were de

old enough to work. Migh

d smile now seeming more like a grimace. "Don't worry," she w

Jane couldn't shake the sense that her life had changed forev

ehead against the cold window, watching her childhood landscape blur into a confusing swirl of greens and bro

snapped, breaking the silence

ed at her aunt, whose face seemed stuck in a perpetual scowl. "I'm sorr

ou'd better get used to working hard, girl.

ugged her doll closer, seeking comfort in its familiar softness.

ishes, laundry, tending to the chickens, weeding the fields

I... I want to help. I use

arm," Uncle Pat interjected gruffly. "Th

shutters stood in stark contrast to the warm image of her lost home. Jane's heart sank e

id flatly. "Best wipe that sad look off y

st ties to her past had snapped. She clutched her doll tig

harsher world pressing down on her shoulders. The farmhouse loomed ahead, its star

om her thoughts. "What are you waiting for? Get i

squared her shoulders and took her first step into this new lif

loor creaked beneath her feet, amplifying the oppressive silence of this unfamiliar place. Sh

s sharp voice sliced through the a

." With measured steps, she moved forward, each f

"And don't think you'll have a momen

d tears. She blinked them back, determined not to show any weakne

throat. Mama. Papa. The weight of their absence crashed

or heaven's sake. Pat, show her where sh

lls. This isn't home, she thought. It can't be. But as she stepped inside

ed to herself, clutching her doll tighter.

er old life fade away. But beneath the fear and sorrow, a flicker of