The ground shook like a beast coming to life as the explosion roared behind us. I was thrown forward by the power, and as the roar reverberated through the woods, my body struck the ground hard. The blast's harshness numbing all else, my ears ringing. I had to raise my head as I coughed, tasting smoke and dirt. Debris was strewn like sharp teeth over the clearing, and the cabin was gone, a flaming disaster.
"Ethan?" My throat was raw as I croaked.
Robust hands seized my arms and yanked me to my feet. As he supported me, Ethan's face was smeared with soot and anxiety. His voice was scratchy but forceful as he said, "I'm here." I was grounded amid the turmoil by his touch, which kept his hands on me. "Are you in pain?"
Everything hurt, but I shook my head. "I'm all right. How about you?
He responded, "I'm fine," but his gaze swung beyond me and toward the debris. "We must locate Lydia."
