Free Deadly Image by Tamelia Tumlin Page A

chirping in the distance as the late afternoon sun beamed through the live oaks lining the edge of her yard.
    She needed a few minutes alone to regroup. The events from the past few days were catching up with her and exhaustion had started to set in. Sleeping at night proved impossible, but a few minutes of peace and quiet in the lounger might recharge her system. Just a few minutes to give her body time to unwind and her mind time to focus on the facts. Maybe then she would remember something – anything – that might shed some light on why Anna was missing and who could have possibly taken her.
    It wouldn’t hurt to pray about it either.
    Ace’s words tumbled through her mind. Lexi swallowed hard. No. It wouldn’t. Except she’d drifted away from God and she hadn’t really prayed in almost three years. Not since Carl’s death. So why should she expect Him to listen to her now? Why should He?
    Still, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try, would it?
    Lexi closed her eyes. God, I know it has been a while, and you probably can’t even hear me anymore, but if you are still listening, I really need you right now. Please help us find Anna. Show me what I need to do to bring my baby home. I don’t know where she is and we are running out of time.
    There was no answering voice booming from the sky. No messenger angel suddenly appearing at her side. No physical evidence whatsoever letting her know God had even heard her plea, but for the first time in years Lexi felt peace wrap around her like a warm blanket. It gave her a tiny sliver of hope, which she held on to with all her might as her body gave in to sheer exhaustion.
    * * *
     
    The flames stretched high inside the small bedroom, snuffing out any trace of oxygen as the little girl’s blood-curdling screams pierced the air. Lexi choked back a sob and felt her way across the floor, crawling on her hands and knees. The heat so intense, she could feel her skin singeing beneath the onslaught of the fire. She dragged in a breath, struggling to find even a minute trace of oxygen. Her lungs felt as if they were going to burst, but she pressed on. She ignored the pain and the stench of burning flesh and reached for the little girl in the crib. Her fingertips touched the child’s soft upper arms. Lexi groped through the black smoke to get a better hold so she could pull the child to safety. She couldn’t seem to grasp her.
    Help me! Somebody help me!
    Boom! The room exploded into a fiery furnace knocking Lexi back against a wall. The little girl slipped from her fingers and disappeared into a veil of orange flames and black smoke as sirens wailed in the distance. Lexi struggled to stay awake. She was suddenly so sleepy. She tried to reach for the child again, but her body wouldn’t function. She couldn’t move her arms and legs.
    Within seconds the child’s screams faded into sobs before turning deathly silent.
    Suddenly, hands lifted Lexi into the air and carried her from the burning building. Lexi tried to struggle free. She had to save the little girl, but everything was so fuzzy. She couldn’t even form a sentence.
    The firemen laid her on the cold, wet ground outside while hushed soothing voices tried to calm her. Lexi fought to sit up. The hands gently pushed her back down.
    “Shh … It’s okay. You’re going to be alright,” a soft voice murmured beside her. “Help is on the way. Stay with us.”
    Lexi tried to tell them about the little girl, but her voice wouldn’t work. She’d inhaled too much smoke and no words would come out, only muted grunts. Then everything turned dark. She could feel the inky blackness seeping into her brain.
    As the darkness closed in, she heard someone say, “It doesn’t look good. The little girl might not make it.”
    No! No! Help her! Do something!
    * * *
     
    “Lexi. Lexi, wake up.” Someone was shaking her. Lexi blinked as worried brown eyes came into view. “Mom?”
    “It’s okay, hon. You were moaning in your