Stunned, I sat gasping, trying to catch my breath and control the panic that had taken me hostage.

I started rocking back and forth in disbelief at what I’d just witnessed. Georgie was gone. My best friend had just evaporated before my eyes and my heart was completely broken.

The light dissipated and the room went dim again. My eyes adjusted and I could see Roderick and Reese’s shocked faces.

“Ariah, I know you’re upset, we are too… but we’ve got to move. We have to get out of here before it starts up again.” Roderick said urgently as he put his arm around me. I looked up at him and Reese. She was pale and had her arms folded over her chest in an effort to protect herself and I could tell Roderick was panicked by the way his eyes were flicking back and forth, alert to danger.

I felt emotionally and physically numb.

My brain was dancing between thoughts and I couldn’t hold one in place for more than a second. Shaking, I moved slowly towards the stairs and looked at the pile of dust that had once been my best friend. Nausea rose and I turned my head and vomited, bile burned the back of my throat as my heart and stomach emptied themselves. As I wiped my mouth, a sudden feeling of extreme determination took over and adrenaline surged throughout my entire body.

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“You’re right, we need to get out of here. We need to find Mom.” I said, my fists clenched into balls. Digging my fingernails into my palms took the pain away from my chest and helped keep my focus out of my head.

“If we can get to my car, we could get across town to the art gallery and see if Mom’s there.” Roderick agreed.

“She might be on her way here to look for you too. Maybe we should go to your house and if it’s safe, wait for her there? You can drop me at my house, I’ll get my parents and bring them to yours.” Reese said shakily. “They had a day off from the bookstore today so they'll be at home.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to split up, but you’re right. Going to our houses is probably the best idea because then we can collect supplies and clothing. We’ll go to yours first, get your parents, then onto ours.” Roderick walked over to Reese and enveloped her in a hug.

“Why do we need supplies? Why can’t we just stay there, at home? And what if the car doesn’t work or has been destroyed?” I started to feel panic rising again, but I clenched my fists tighter and managed to hold it at bay.

“Whatever this is Ariah, I don’t think it’ll spare homes. I think we need to get to the lake and go up into the forest. And as far as the car goes, I guess we’ll have to see. We need to get to the carpark.” As Roderick finished his sentence, the piercing noise started again and sent Roderick and Reese diving into the dark corner of the room.

I ducked down as the light hit the stairs above me and I scrambled across the floor, throwing myself into their outstretched arms. We huddled together, quivering in each other's embrace and watched as the light scanned the stairs up and down again.