I sat up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest. The remnants of a dream still lingered—running through the forest as a wolf, Tent by my side. The images were so vivid, too vivid, and for a moment I was disoriented. Blinking several times, I took in the familiar walls of my childhood bedroom. I was home. The relief was real but short-lived.

Smoke.

I coughed, my throat burning as I winced into the open bedroom door. Didn't we close it? Thick billows of smoke churned up the staircase, packing the landing with a choking mist. Fear burst through me, and I reached for Tent, my hand brushing...