Every adult in Las Vegas is dead. Now the kids run the city. After being exposed to a mysterious sickness, the adults knew their days were numbered. Instead of losing hope, the city banded together to prepare the only ones who were immune— The Kids. So, The Preparation was formed. A plan to keep the city alive and well. Farms and ranches. Power and water. Businesses and emergency services. Each kid received specific training in their career field to ensure they not only survived, but thrived. Three years after the last adult died, 14-year-old Aiden Brann begins his first day as a firefighter in a city run entirely by kids. Aiden joins a tight-knit fire crew in The After and quickly learns that protecting the city you love asks more of him than he ever imagined, and that being truly good is harder, and more costly, than being a hero. But the city's hard-earned peace is under threat. A group known only as The Children , led by the ruthless KID , is plotting to tear down everything these kids have worked so hard to create, including Aiden's newfound family. The Fire We Inherit is a gripping emotional adventure about courage, sacrifice, and what it means to inherit a broken world and choose to make it worth living in. Aiden and his crew are relatable role models, not rebels, each with their own character growth. They show up, they sacrifice, and they lead by example. Because in a world without adults, the only thing standing between order and chaos is the character of the kids who choose to care. Perfect for readers who love: Character-driven stories with genuine heart - Found-family friendships built on loyalty and trust - Action and adventure with real emotional depth - Heroes who lead with integrity, not attitude - Post-apocalyptic worlds grounded in hope - with clean, content-safe storytelling - Clean, parent-approved YA stories with strong moral values Laric Tolleson is a firefighter with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, where he has served since 2014 and was promoted to Captain in 2023. Over the years, he has witnessed the traumatic, the heroic, and the unexpectedly funny moments that come with the job-experiences that have deeply shaped the stories he tells.He grew up in the tiny town of Beatty, Nevada, 100 miles north of Las Vegas, before eventually starting his career in Las Vegas. Though he works in Las Vegas, Utah is where he and his family have established their home. Married to the ultra-gorgeous love of his life. He and his wife enjoy traveling as much as they possibly can. He is the proud father of four children-two boys and two girls-who continually inspire him.In his writing, Laric hopes to show both kids and adults that young people are often far more capable than we sometimes give them credit for. At the same time, he seeks to share pieces of the real world he's lived in as a firefighter, honoring both its weight and its humor.