Selena slowly blinked her eyes open, still groggy from sleep.


    "What''s going on?" she asked.


    Ricky gestured toward the TV. "Sis, didn''t you say Mateo''s camping at Peace Mountain? The news is reporting a wildfire broke out therest night. The area is dense with trees, and with tonight''s strong winds, the fire''s spreading fast-"


    Wildfires had be more frequent in recent years, but Selena never imagined one would strike so close to home.


    Watching the news, her heart thudded loudly in her chest.


    She quickly reached for her phone, checking her messages. The parents'' group chat was in a frenzy.


    Everyone was demanding updates from the site, desperate to know if the kids were safe.


    These were influential parents, and the school knew better than to ignore them. The principal quickly reassured everyone in the chat, exining the situation.


    He said they had evacuated the children as soon as the fire was spotted. Emergency services were on their way, with ambnces waiting at the mountain''s base. They promised to do everything possible to keep the kids safe and urged parents to stay calm. Despite theforting words, no parent could truly rx knowing their child was in danger. They all rushed to the scene.


    Selena tried to calm herself, grabbing her jacket as she headed out. "I''ve got to get Mateo. I need to see him with my own eyes!"


    If anything happened to Mateo, she didn''t know how she''d cope.


    Ricky, seeing her panic, caught up to her and held her arm.


    "Selena, don''t worry. Mateo''s got luck on his side; he''ll be alright. I''lle with you. We''ve both had a few drinks, so we can''t drive. Let''s have the driver take us."


    Selena took a deep breath and nodded slowly.


    Over an hourter, they reached the base of the mountain.


    Firefighters, paramedics, reporters, parents, and onlookers crowded the area.


    It was a chaotic scene, filled with people and vehicles, making it nearly impossible to recognize anyone at first nce.


    The area ahead was cordoned off by the firefighters, and no one was allowed to get closer as they battled the ze.


    Selena stood on her toes, scanning each face desperately, trying to spot Mateo.


    She bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled.


    Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure and pushed through the


    crowd, her voice hoarse as she


    swne vel


    questioned the two kids before her.


    "Dn, Cindy, are you okay?"


    Dn and Cindy looked shell-shocked, their eyes zed over. Dirt smeared their faces and clothes, and Dn''s hair was singed, making them appear disheveled.


    en


    As soon as they saw Selena, they copsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrobly.


    "Auntie, it was terrifying. The fire was so huge, and we couldn''t breathe."


    Selena''s heart ached as she gently patted their heads. "It''s okay, it''s okay, you''re safe now."


    With her heart still pounding, she asked, "Mateo was with you, right? Where is he? Did he make it down?"


    Cindy''s sobs grew louder, her words lost in her cries. Selena felt her heart drop, her blood turning cold. "What happened to him?" she asked, forcing each word out.


    Finally, Dn managed to speak through his tears.


    They had been asleep when their teachers woke them. The fire was already fierce, and smoke filled the air, making it hard to breathe. With the thick smoke clouding their vision, escaping the mountain was anything but easy.