The sun was a dim, burning orb in the sky, barely visible through the thick smoke that had settled over the town. In the distance, the crackling roar of flames was relentless, a reminder of how fast the fire had spread. Evacuation orders had come hours ago, but for some, leaving wasn’t as simple as driving away.

Grace was already packed, her small suitcase sitting at her feet, but she couldn’t leave—not yet. She stood at the door of her house, hands trembling, her gaze fixed on the orange glow creeping closer to her street.

Then, she heard it. The sound of desperate barking from next door.

"Charlie..." Grace whispered, heart sinking. Her neighbor, Mr. Harris, was elderly and lived alone, and his dog, a scruffy terrier, was always glued to his side.

She quickly grabbed her purse and ran next door, banging on the door with frantic urgency.

“Mr. Harris! Mr. Harris!” she shouted. There was no response. She turned the handle and pushed, but the door was locked. The barking grew louder, frantic. She had no time to waste.

Behind her, Grace heard a voice.

“Let me help!” It was Lisa, her other neighbor, running down the driveway. “What’s wrong?”

“Mr. Harris,” Grace panted, pointing to the door. “I need to get him out. And Charlie… he’s still inside.”

Lisa didn’t hesitate. “I’ll go around back. You break the door down.”

Grace didn’t wait for permission. She stepped back and threw her shoulder against the door, feeling it rattle under the pressure. The heat from the fire was rising fast. She tried again, and this time, the door gave way. She fell forward, heart racing.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke, and the temperature was unbearable. Grace’s eyes watered as she shouted, “Mr. Harris! Mr. Harris!”

From the back of the house, she heard Lisa’s voice. “He’s in here!”

Grace rushed toward the sound, coughing as she found Mr. Harris slumped in a chair, dazed but alive. Charlie was beside him, barking furiously. Grace helped Mr. Harris to his feet, but he struggled, his breathing labored.

“Come on,” Grace urged, pulling him toward the door. “We have to go. Now!”

Behind them, Lisa was coaxing Charlie into her arms. “It’s okay, buddy,” she whispered, gently lifting the terrified dog from the floor.

But just as Grace reached the doorway, the crackling sound outside intensified. A gust of hot wind slammed through the opening, sending a wave of heat that nearly knocked them off their feet. Grace barely managed to keep Mr. Harris upright. She glanced around frantically, searching for an escape.

The street was chaos. Cars were backed up, engines idling as neighbors hurriedly packed their cars, but they couldn’t all make it out at once. The fire was closing in, and they had to move fast.

“Over here!” a voice called out. It was Mark, another neighbor, waving them toward the side yard. His car was parked on the far side, ready to go.

Grace didn’t hesitate. “Lisa, get Mr. Harris and Charlie in the car!”

Without a word, Lisa moved quickly, urging Mr. Harris toward the side yard, with Charlie tucked under her arm. Grace followed behind, glancing back at the house one last time, the fire now creeping over the fence. She could feel the heat against her back as she ran, the smoke clouding her vision.

Mark was already in the car, engine running, the door wide open.

“Come on, Grace!” he shouted. “Let’s go!”

They piled in, Mark gunning the engine as they sped away, the fire now raging behind them, the orange glow reflected in the rearview mirror.

Grace looked out the window, taking in the scene. The streets were filled with cars, all rushing to safety, but she knew that beyond the chaos, there were people still working to help each other. Neighbors risking everything to make sure no one was left behind.

As they reached the outskirts of town, Grace looked over at Mr. Harris, now slumped in the backseat, Charlie nestled on his lap. His eyes were closed, exhausted but safe.

Lisa gave Grace a tight smile. “We did it,” she said softly.

Grace nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "We did. Together."