Flames raged before me engulfing the trees. "This isn’t happening!" I screamed, tears poured from my eyes blurring my vision as I raced toward the fire.

"Stop!" I heard him shout behind me, but I couldn't stop, not now, my legs carried me even faster.

‘Why did I leave them? Why wasn't I there?’ Guilt attacked me, weighing on my conscience even as it drove my feet faster. ‘Only a few more yards, I have to save them...or die beside them.’

Strong arms gripped my arms, halting me at once. "Nooooooo!" The scream tore from my mouth but was lost in the roar of the fire. I struggled against his arms even as they tightened around my waist holding me still. There was no way I could win. They were burning a few yards away from me and it was all my fault. I had failed them. Grief assailed me, driving me to my knees. He allowed me to fall cradling me close to his chest.

Their voices filled my guilt-ridden mind, "It’s all your fault! We would be alive if you had been here! Betrayer!" I saw their faces so clearly through my tear flooded eyes. Their wailing cries filled the background, as images of their burning, writhing bodies played across my head like a sadistic slideshow.

He stood, lifting me in his arms, and began to run. I didn’t know where he was taking me but I assumed it was away from the fire. I didn’t struggle; the voices in my head wouldn’t let me move, maybe if I could be still enough they would leave me alone. Nothing drove them away, I grabbed my throbbing head and whimpered in misery, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, forgive me!” Slowing his pace, he stroked my hair softly. I could feel his frantic emotions pounding at my mind just beyond the horrid images and screams. He was trying to be calm for my sake but it wasn’t working, his distress for my unraveling sanity only weakened it further. I felt a slight pushing on my thoughts, a soothing force that seemed to eclipse the relentless onslaught of emotions. Whispering in my ear he struggled to keep his voice gentle and calm, “Sleep, ignore everything and sleep…” The compulsion worked with the exhaustion of my body sending me into the solid darkness of unconsciousness.