I shook my head violently. “No! You’re not lost! I can—”

“You can’t save everyone,” Wendy cut me off, her voice strong, though her body was weak. “You need to let me go, Ella. You need to focus on what really matters.”

Her words twisted the knife deeper into my chest. Wendy, always selfless, always brave, was willing to give herself up to save the others. But how could I stand here and let her burn? How could I walk away?

“I love you, Ella,” she whispered, her voice carrying through the flames. “Go. Please.”

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, but deep down, I knew she was right....