#Chapter 363 Scented Candles

The first floor looked normal, but an eerie stillness made goosebumps rise on my arms. The only sound was the staccato beeping of smoke alarms coming from all directions.

A wide sweeping staircase rose in front of me. It felt ominous, but the kids were up there, and they were in danger. I hurried up to the second floor, taking two steps at a time.

At the top of the stairs, the smoke was thick enough to see it floating lazily in the air. I coughed several times and pulled the neckline of my shirt up over my mouth and nose. It helped me breathe a little better.

I forced myself to stay calm and reasoned that the kids must be in a room to my left and toward the front of the house.

Hurrying down the hallway, I stopped at each door that faced the street and threw the doors open.

“Hello, Piper,” I called. “I’m here to help you and Lane get out of the house. Where are you, honey?”

“In here,” the girl's voice said from further down the hall. “Hurry, please. I’m scared, and it’s hard to breathe