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covered in leaves and Mummy said that’s because I was so special. My party was going to be the best party ever. Candles were everywhere, making the room really hot. “Wow,” I said, clutching my teddy in my hand.
    Daddy held his hand out. He was standing in the middle of the room, in front of circle of rocks filled with green leaves. “Come, sweetheart.”
    I walked over to him and looked around. Everyone was here and they were all dressed in white – just like I was. “Where’s Mummy?” I asked.
    “Here I am, my special girl,” she said, walking into the room. Everyone moved to stand in a big circle around me, Mummy and Daddy.
    Jeremy tugged on someone’s arm, but I couldn’t see who it was because Aunty Linda was blocking them. He looked scared and had tears running down his face. Jeremy was tough and I’d never seen him cry before. It made me want to cry. I didn’t like this anymore. Everyone looked down at me. They were so tall. I was scared. This was scary.
    I looked up at Mummy and Daddy. “Can we go home now?” I asked, my lip trembling.
    Mummy shook her head. “No, sweetheart. It is now time.”
    Everyone was screaming. The flames were taller than Daddy. I started to cry and my body was shaking. “Mummy! Mummy!” I didn’t know where she was. I was too hot and I dropped to the floor. I wanted Mummy and Daddy to get me but I didn’t see where they went when the fire started.
    Someone picked me up but I was falling asleep.
    I jolted awake, but I was still in the dark. What was that? I had a horrible, horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.
    “Can you hear me?” Mum asked, stroking my hair. “I can see your eyes moving. Try opening them, honey.” That was all I’d been doing while I was conscious. Come on. I forced them open and this time they responded. “Oh, Scarlett.” A tear ran down her cheek. “Thank God you’re awake. Everything’s going to be okay now.”
    I nodded slowly and smiled. My head felt like it was being bashed from the inside and my throat was as dry as the desert. “Water?” I croaked.
    My heart was still pounding from the dream.
    Jeremy was beside me with a cup of water and straw in an instant. “You sure like to be the centre of attention, don’t ya?” he joked, but behind it I could see the relief in his eyes. I sipped from the straw until the water slid down easily and no longer hurt to swallow.
    “Dad?” I asked when I’d finished.
    “He’s fine, being kept for observation as he had a mild concussion but he’s okay. We brought him to see you earlier today and the doctor says if his latest results come back normal he’ll be discharged this morning.”
    Thank God he was okay. “What happened?”
    “Some arsehole fell asleep at the wheel and caused a six car pile up,” Jeremy replied. I remembered the sounds of the crash and the screams but nothing else.
    Mum ignored his colourful language. “There were no fatalities, by some miracle. You came off worst.”
    “She always was a drama queen.”
    Mum gave him a stern look. “Jeremy, go fetch a doctor, please.” My brother saluted and left the room. “You feeling okay?”
    “Head hurts, but I’m fine. I had strange dreams when I was out of it.”
    “Oh? What about?”
    I frowned. “Um, a hot building, everyone in white, Jeremy chasing someone. I can’t really remember.” My brain felt fried. “Were you and Jeremy hurt?”
    Mum’s lips thinned for a second and then she stroked my hair. “Only a few cuts and bruises. I’ll just go see where Jeremy’s got to, hurry that doctor up,” she said, standing up and dashing out of the room.

Noah
     
    “WANT SOME, NOAH?” Chris asked, holding a bottle of White Lightening out to me. And I thought my parents had exaggerated about teenagers. My life before was fairly sheltered. I spent most of my time with a small group of friends walking, hiking, fishing, camping and building. I wasn’t at all prepared for getting drunk at a park.
    “Thanks,” I