Chapter1
Reina
"Reina!Reina!"
It must have been a dream, because my brother's best friend, Morgan Sterling, was calling my name, and he had no reason to be in my apartment.
I wanted to call out, but I couldn't seem to open my mouth.
It was hard to breathe.
There was smoke everywhere.
If I was having a dream, I needed to wake up.
"Reina!Tell me where you are."
I jerked awake, immediately sucking in smoke."I'm here!In the bedroom," I called, but my voice was cracked and weak.I rolled to the floor, staying low, hoping I'd find fresher air here.
"Is there any fire in your room?"
All I could see was smoke."No."
The door to my bedroom burst open, slamming against the wall.Morgan ran into the room, falling to his knees in front of me."Can you walk?"
"I think so."
He helped me stand, and when I stumbled, he bit off a curse.
My lungs were burning, and it felt like I'd been breathing in smoke for a while.
"There's no time."Morgan swung me into his arms and carried me out of the bedroom.
That's when I realized."The bakery?—"
Morgan looked down at me with a pained expression."I got you."
My eyes pricked from the smoke and tears.My home.My bakery.Everything was on fire.The door was already open, and there were several firefighters standing there in full gear.
My chest constricted at the site.Their presence made everything more real.
"I'll take her," one of the firefighters offered, but Morgan tucked me close to his chest, moved quickly down the stairs, and dropped to his knees on the grass.
As soon as he set me down, my body was racked with coughs.
He helped me roll to the side, and I was so grateful that he was there.He brushed my hair out of my eyes, and his face was etched with concern."Reina?—"
Before he could finish speaking, we were surrounded by paramedics shouting questions.I was rolled to my back and an oxygen mask went over my mouth.Panicked, I reached for Morgan's hand and held on tight.
"I'm right here.Not going anywhere."His voice was soothing, the anchor I needed in this moment.
His face was covered in soot, but I didn't want to see anyone else.He could have been hurt trying to save me.
I had been asleep, and I could have inhaled too much smoke and never woken up.If Morgan hadn't pulled me out, would the firefighters have gotten to me in time?
I could've died.
There was a lot of commotion with the firefighters battling the fire and the paramedics talking about getting me to the hospital.
