That's when Nicholas felt himself pull back into reality. He turned to Mattie, incredulity spread all over his face. "What?" he asked, voice far from intimidating. It was more scared and childlike. "No. I can't...I can't burn my mom's body. Are you- Are you crazy?!" he looked back at the disfigured corpse and winced, squeezing his eyes shut. A shaky breath rattled his body.

"Let me look for my sister."