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Page 195
haled the fresh air outside. But the influx of air must have fanned the flames. At the increased crackling behind her, she turned to see the fire charge farther into the room. She tasted soot; a vile, stifling odor filled her nostrils.
Swallowing hard, she turned back. The window was large enough for her to crawl through. But then what? It was high above the ground. If she were injured, she might be unable to help Mike.
Suddenly she heard a noise behind her. Turning, she saw the flames leap away. Someone had opened the door. Mike!
"Mike, be careful!" She screamed, but the sound was a gurgle in her raw throat.
"Abby!" Suddenly there he was, covered head to toe with a sopping blanket as he sprang through the leaping flames. "Come, Abby. Now!"
She rushed toward him. He threw the wet cover around her, too, hugging her close. Then he pulled her through the flames.
In the hall she bent over, gasping at the cool, sweet air. But he did not let her rest. He lifted her into his arms, then ran down the corridor, where he dashed down the steps and out the front door. He hurried to the back of the house, far from the area of the fire. Only then did he set her down as she coughed.
He knocked on the door of Hannah's carriage house. "Hannah!" he cried. "Fire! Call nine-one-one!"
Abby was too relieved they were safe to ask what calling 911 meant. In a minute, Hannah ap-

 
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