“Edie,” she called loudly. When no one replied, she moved toward the community center to use the phone to call for help. The heat grew stronger the closer she got. The sound of wood crackling and a window exploding confirmed her fear the fire was growing bigger by the minute. Turning around, she urged Ice to go faster. Feeling a window, she shrugged off her jacket and wrapped it around her hand. Scarlett turned away from the glass and struck it hard twice before it shattered. “Edie,” she called.
“Scarlett? I don’t have my hearing aid in. What’s the matter, child?”
“Call the fire department. I think the community center caught on fire. You need to come out,” she yelled. Commanding Ice to stay, she felt along the wall to the fire escape. Scarlett reached above her head and hissed as it burned her fingers. Again, she used her coat to pull it down,stumbled up the stairs, and banged on the window. The higher she climbed, the hotter the temperature grew. “Barb, Barb. Come out,” she screamed. “Help, fire!” The wind shifted, making her breathe in the toxic smoke and sent her coughing.
Barb unlocked the window and raised it. “Oh, my gosh,” she exclaimed as Scarlett tugged her out. “I don’t have my cane.”
“Lean on me,” she ordered, pulling her down. “Don’t touch the metal. I’ll get you halfway. I have to get Debbie.”
“She has the four children,” Barb said, panicked. “Michael and Lizzy won’t be back for another hour.”
A loud boom shook the building, and Scarlett steadied Barb, who screamed. The heat seemed more intense, and Scarlett rushed her down the stairs, using her jacket as a barrier between her skin and the hot railing to guide her down. The fire hissed, and small bursts from items rupturing grew louder. The air grew thicker, making it difficult to breathe.
“I’ve got her and Ice. The fire department’s on its way.” Edie assured her. “Barb, are you all right?”
Scarlett didn’t wait to hear her answer as she turned and went up the stairs. She felt the warmth of the flames as she climbed higher up, using her arm to block out the smoke-filled air. The metal railing scorched through her coat, growing hotter as she rose, heightening her anxiety. The whining of metal bending from the blaze grew louder.
“Debbie, Debbie!” She pounded on the glass as a blast of sizzling warmth scorched her face, indicating it burned close by.
The window opened, and Debbie thrust Beth into her arms. “Caleb, Tyler, and Faith are in the bedroom toward the back. There’s smoke everywhere,” she cried. “I can’t see anything.”
Scarlett didn’t hesitate, climbing inside. “Keep low to the floor. Tell me where,” she commanded as she pulled Debbie down. “Do you have any towels we can soak?” she coughed. The apartment felt like the inside of an incinerator. The flame’s intensity seemed stronger inside.
“I have some here. I can wet them,” Debbie said. A minute later, she loaded Scarlett’s arms with the soaked towels.
“Take the baby out, I’ll get Caleb, Tyler, and Faith,” she said, pushing her toward the fire escape. The sound of a wall falling in the community center spurred her to move faster as the heat intensified.
“I can’t leave them. They’re all I have,” Debbie struggled and sobbed.
“Listen to me. The baby can’t breathe in this thick smoke. Get her out, and I’ll find the children,” she called.
“I’ll take her down and come help you,” Debbie said as Scarlett helped her out the window.
“No, the fire department will be here. Stay with Beth,” Scarlett said firmly before turning around and dropping to her knees.
Scarlett heard one of the boys crying and coughing. Taking the towels, she crawled toward the room, staying close to the wall. She heard the crackling as the flames penetrated the apartment’s roof. Tiny sparks fell from the ceiling, burning through her shirt as she held the towels close to her nose, praying she found the kids soon. Scarlett felt the door. Opening it, she smelled the smoke. “Caleb? Tyler? I’m right here. Can you come to me? We need to get out of here,” she yelled above the roaring of the flames. The soot-filled room behind her felt boiling as she crawled her way into the room, desperately seeking the children. A hot, little hand grabbed hers.
“I can’t see you. Who is this?” she asked, coughing and wrapping a towel around the tiny frame.
“I’m Caleb. Where’s Gran Debbie?” he choked and cried. She felt his little body tremble in fear.
“Where’s Tyler? Can you help me find Faith?” she asked, pulling him down beside her. “Stay on the floor. You can breathe better down here.”
“Tyler hid in the closet. Faith’s in the crib by the window,” Caleb said, sobbing.
“Hold on to my shirt and don’t let go. Which way to the closet?”
“I’ll show you,” he said, clutching her shirt for dear life.
“Tyler, I have Caleb. Can you come out? We’ll get you out of here,” she urged. Sweat dripped from her forehead into her eyes, making them sting.
“Tyler, come out,” Caleb shouted, pulling Scarlett toward the closet door. She yanked it open.
Scarlett felt two tiny arms close around her neck. “I’m scared. Where’s my daddy?” Tyler yelled, his voice full of fright.
Removing one of the towels, she tugged him down and covered him. “It’s all right. We’ll see him in a minute. Can you help me find Faith?”
“I put her in the closet with me. Caleb ran before I told him to hide,” he sobbed.
