I remember it like it was yesterday. The rotting wood that my house was built out of was chilled. The night was eerie. Mama tucked me into bed and the chipped window blew a sharp gust of air inside, which froze my arms poking out of the quilt papa made for me. I held my stuffed bear, Rosalie close as mama and papa sang a lullaby for me. The night seemed tense. I was too young to understand, but the worst thing to ever happen was about to happen to me. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, excited for what tomorrow had in store. Mama and papa left to go down to their room. A deafening crash shook me awake. It sounded close, but not too close. I assumed it was a thunderstorm so I went to mama and papas room. They were always good at distracting me from thunder claps, turning them into a beat for them to sing along to. I sluggishly stepped into their room, thumb in my mouth. They look at me terrified. My mum mouthed one word to me.

“Run!” Then the second crash came. It blew me backwards, and turned our house to rubble. My ears were ringing uncomfortably, and I passed out. I woke up in someone’s arms. A firefighter, carrying me through the rubble.

“Another survivor! What’s your name, sweetie?” He asked me softly. I was so traumatised that I didn’t respond. He set me down with the other children, but I immediately stood up. Where were my parents? Where was Rosalie? I dove through the rubble that was once out cottage, until I saw my gorgeous handmade bear, now missing an arm. I hugged her tight as I searched for my parents. I’m sure I was told to sit down more than once, but I couldn’t. Not until I found them. That’s when I heard mamas sweet voice calling out to me. I turned around and there they were, covered in soot, crying with joy. I sprinted to them and we embraced. I wish that moment could have lasted forever.

“Listen, darling, we’ve found a way for you to get out of here, but we have to leave now.”

I was elated. We were free! We headed down to the docks, and my parents handed me a bag.

“What about you?” My heart pounded as they revealed the truth to me.

“We aren’t coming. There isn’t enough space.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. Papa lifted my chin.

“Chin up chicken! We’re coming on a different boat. We’ll be there before you know it.” We embraced, all of us sobbing, and I stepped onto the small cramped boat. It pulled out of the station, the waves bobbing up and down. I took a deep breath, tears blurring the view of my parents, and,

Waved.