Stella's POV

The smoke wrapped around me like a suffocating shroud. My eyes burned with tears, my throat was on fire, but I didn't stop. The woman in the driver's seat groaned again, weak.

"It's going to be okay…" I murmured to her, trying to stay calm even as my entire body shook. "Just one more second, okay?"

I managed to release her seat belt. It snapped loose, and her body fell against mine with a limp, unfamiliar weight. She was lighter than I expected. Or maybe it was desperation giving me strength.

"We need to get out of here, ma'am. The car is going to explode," I said urgently, speaking close to her ear.

She groaned again, her head swaying slightly. Conscious enough to walk, or at least I prayed she was.

With her arm draped over my shoulders, I started dragging her out. Her knees buckled, but I forced her feet onto the ground. The heat surged behind us like an open furnace, ready to swallow us whole.

"Come on… just a little more…" I whispered, my body burning wit