Luke lugged another log to the top of the tower. "Luke! One more hour!" The 'watcher' called. Ever since the sun burned out fifty years ago, everyone in his town over the age of thirteen had to work eight hours a day carrying wood up to the top of the heat tower in the center of their town. Luke had started only two years ago, but he was already much stronger. It was so cold but the logs burning in the heat tower spread heat out to the citizens of his village. It was hard work, but Luke did enjoy the heat of being so close to the tower. Getting food was hard, but the sun still made a little light for growing the hardier plants.
Luke worked the rest of his time, and went home.
Their house was close to the edge because they couldn’t afford the exorbitant prices closer to the tower. The emperor’s high taxes slowly sucked away what little money his family had. They earned money just for working the eight required hours, but they could work longer times or at night for more money. His mom wasn’t the strongest, nor was his older sister so they couldn’t get enough income.
He reached his house and called "Dad, I’m home!" His Dad had worked the night shift, his Mom and sister would be done in an hour. "What’s for dinner?" Luke asked, his dad coming over.
"Stew," his dad responded. Mmmm. Luke thought. That sounded good. Luke started helping his dad make dinner.
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His mom and sister came back around when they were halfway done making the stew. They started helping and they were ready to eat soon. They had just started eating, when a person outside started shouting: "Fire! Fire! There’s a fire that came from the heat tower! Evacuate!" They all stood up with a grim look on their faces.
"Luke, Abigail, run. Your Dad and I will help put the fire out," Luke’s mom said.
"Wait. I’ll help." Abigail - Luke’s sister, said.
"Ok. We need all the help we can get," Luke’s dad said. Luke rushed outside and started running away from the town. He looked behind him and saw the fire had already developed plenty. His parents had grabbed pails filled with water and ran toward the fire. Luke kept running, but as he looked back… The fire was growing at a rate faster than a person can run.
"No!" Luke shouted. "NO!" Without thinking he turned around. He ran as fast as he could toward the fire. I don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t care! I DON’T CARE! I DON’T CARE!!! He entered the fire and… could see. He felt no burns. He ran toward the center of the town desperately hoping, hoping that his family would be okay. He found burned husks where his family had been. No. No. Please, please no. Please let this not be them. Please let them be ok. Yet… a small part of him knew they were gone.