Honey Cut novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Ash

We were on Dorchester Avenue in nine minutes.

Kieran drove, and he took the corners.

Niall sat beside me in the back with his jacket around my shoulders and his hand over mine.

I had pulled jeans and a sweatshirt on in the hall.

I couldn't remember doing it.

I saw the glow before I saw the street.

Dunleavy's was burning from the kitchen end, orange light pouring out of the back windows and licking up the brick.

Fire trucks blocked the avenue, hoses snaking over the wet road.

Neighbors stood in coats over pajamas, and a few old regulars stood in a clump holding their caps.

Across the street a gray van sat with its engine running, and two men in it watched the fire.

"Stay in the car," Niall said, and got out, phone already at his ear.

I stayed in the car for a heartbeat.

Then I saw the front window go.

It blew out in a bright sheet and a wave of heat rolled across the avenue and hit me in the face.

My mother's photograph hung on the wall behind the register.

It was the only one I had of her laughing.

I ran.

I heard Kieran shout my name behind me.

A fireman grabbed at me and I ducked under his arm and went through the front door into smoke.

I got down on my knees.

The bar was a tunnel of orange.

I crawled to the register, found the wall, found the frame, and tore it off its nail.

Glass cut my palm.

I didn't feel it.

Above me something creaked, long and low.

"Kit!"

He was beside me.

I never saw how he got in.

His hand clamped around my wrist and I looked up and saw the ceiling beam come loose over us in slow motion, a blackened length of oak with fire running down it.

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