"Don't be afraid. I'm fine, " Carla said as she patted Venus's back. "Let go of me for a bit. It seems like daddy is hurt."
"Daddy!" The children remembered and ran over to him. "Are you all right, daddy?"
"Daddy, your arm is hurt!" Josh exclaimed when he saw the severe burns on Zayn's arms. He was pale with fright.
"Daddy, you need a doctor, " Randy said as he put out the embers on Zayn's clothes. "Your clothes are all scorched."
"Daddy, does it hurt?" Venus cried and covered her eyes.
Zayn paid no heed to the children. He stared at Carla the entire time with a mixture of rage, frustration but also love.
Carla scrambled over to him. "You fool!" she yelled as she pulled on his arm. "Why did you throw yourself into the fire like that?"
Before she finished her sentence, Zayn pulled into his embrace.
He was so forceful that he crashed Carla's head against his chest.
"Carla, remember this, " Zayn yelled through gritted teeth. "No matter what happens, you're not allowed to come out on your own and place yourself in danger. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, I do." Carla nodded and swallowed.
"You are not alone. You have me, " Zayn continued, "I will be here to help you even if the heavens came crashing down on you. Why won't you ever remember that and cause me to worry every time? What would I do if something happens to you? What about the children?"
"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Carla sobbed into his chest, her arms around his waist. "I should not have made you worry and caused you to get hurt."
"You scared me to death, did you know that?"
Zayn bit her on the shoulder fiercely.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Carla screamed in pain but she knew she deserved the punishment. He bit down so hard it almost bled.
"Good. Painful punishments make good lessons, " Zayn said as he pinched her cheek. "Remember this. If this happens again, I won't be this lenient."
"There won't be any next time, " Carla said as she gazed at his injuries. "Let's go to the hospital. You need a doctor."
Zayn bent down, placed the boys on his shoulders, and lifted Venus in his arm. Holding Carla's hand, they turned to depart.
"Daddy, you don't have to carry us if you're hurt. Put us down, we can walk on our own."
"Yes, Daddy. There is heat emitting from your shirt. My butt is burnt from sitting on your shoulder."
"Are there embers still on Daddy's shirt? Will it burn me?"
"You three are so inconsiderate. I'm carrying you despite being hurt and all you care about is burning yourself."
"No, we're worried that you might be too tired."
"Yes, we love you with all our hearts."
"Yes, whatever you say."
The family walked through the smoke together slowly. They made a strange but lovely silhouette against the brightness of the burning wreckage.
Dori flew over to them from the car. "Daddy, Mommy, Daddy, Mommy, " she squawked as she circled over their heads.
"Dori is here!"
"Dori's wings look like they are a little burnt."
"Where did Dori go earlier?"
"When something goes wrong, she is the first one to run and hide."
"What an ungrateful bird!"
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