the last ember (2)

“I don’t know,” Sam replied, forcing calm into his voice. “We need to stay warm and keep our wits about us. Help is coming. We just have to hold on.” Maya looked around at their makeshift shelter, the icy wind penetrating through the gaps.

“We need to start a fire. It’s our best chance at survival,” she said, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

The family had already collected whatever supplies they could from the wreckage, but without matches or a lighter, they were left with only one option: the glowing ember from the emergency pack’s fire starter, a small piece of survival gear that Sam had salvaged.