Goddamn it.
Using every ounce of strength I could muster, I swung at the doors.
They didn’t budge.
Beads of sweat trickled down my face, trying to fall into my eyes. Wiping them away roughly, I took another deep breath and swung again.
And again.
And again.
This time, exhaustion took over, pitching me forward.
Another cracking sound drew my attention.
Looking up, I almost panicked.
Flames had crawled across the ceiling.
Dropping the shovel, I made my way back to the main room.
Sasha was pacing, as frightened as I was.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ll get us some help.”
Coughing, I stumbled toward the stairs, praying to God Sasha would remain calm. Meanwhile, I was freaking out. I grabbed my phone and another shirt, forced to lean against the railing from a coughing spell as I returned down.
Shaking, I had to blink furiously just to be able to see the screen so I could dial 9-1-1.
“What is your emergency?”
“Um, there’s a fire at…”
“What’s the address, ma’am?”
Oh, my God. I had to think about the address. When I finally managed to rattle it out, I struggled to make my way down the stairs, the smoke rising.
“Okay, I’ve dispatched an engine. Unfortunately, they are on another call. Can you get out of the home?”
“It’s a barn and no! I’m locked in. Someone is trying to kill me and…” Another cough finally doubled me over. I dropped to my knees just as the electricity went off.
Another cracking sound. Then another.
Boom!
A scream was ripped from my lungs, Sasha almost trampling me to death in trying to free the falling timber.
“I’ll be dead…”
“Miss. Stay on the line.”
“I…”
Boom!
* * *
Axe
