Page 118 of Kaine

Chapter Forty-Four

HER

I don’t know when Irealize it, if it’s before or after the scream.

But once I do, I can’t move.

And it is everywhere.

The smell. The sound. The smoke.

The fire.

The fire is everywhere.

From somewhere that feels not even of this world I hear another scream.

“FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!!!!”

Someone bumps into me so hard I’m on the ground.

For a moment, I see nothing, just stars, and out of habit I grab my side protectively, where my stab wound was. Was, as it has already healed but apparently still leaves a psychological scar.

Then there are feet, so many feet, running in all directions, none of them stopping even for a second.

“JADE!!” I hear someone call my name and I struggle to stand up, shielding myself from the stampede with my arms. I finally get to my feet and up here at my height level the smoke has spread. My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut, trying to find my way by feel instead, subconsciously saving my sight for when I’ll really need it.

The assault on my senses slowly dissipates and I can now make out the faint crackle of flames, still far away, as the sound of the stomping footsteps starts to diminish.

I force my eyes open and the smoke is so thick I can barely see my hands. I drop back down to the ground and it’s clearer here. I look around, scanning the ten inches above the wooden floorboards, and there are almost no feet left, only the last few running to the left and down the hallway.

I crawl on my hands and knees in that direction ignoring the splinters tearing at my skin. I draw a breath, involuntarily engulfing black air. My lungs starting to sear from the inside.

I don’t have time to consider where the fire came from.

Just how I’m going to get out of it.

I find myself against the wall that turns into the office area, I use it to lead me to the hallway and exit. One, two, three steps feel like forever. The heat from the fire is starting to spread, it’s not too bad yet, but there’s smoke, So much smoke.

Thick, swirling, dense, searing smoke in my lungs. I cough and pull my collar over my face. Bargaining for just one good breath. One more lungful of air to fuel me, to get me to safety.

Come on, Jade. Just one step at a time. Just one more.

You’re not going to die here today.