Page 2 of Burning Obsession

Fuck!

How stupid am I? There’s a fire. Who handles fires?

The fucking fire department!

Call 911.

No.

Get out.

Yes, that’s what I should do. I’m sure someone’s already called 911. The alarms are going off so I need to get the fuck out of this building.

But I can’t do that if I’m sitting on the floor, ready to meet defeat.

The smoke hovers thick near the ceiling, rolling in lazy waves that somehow make everything feel even more terrifying and ominous. The apartment I know by heart suddenly feels unfamiliar as I make my way out of my room, toward the door.

I keep one hand on the wall, steadying myself, the smoke getting thicker with each step. Somewhere, something pops. Glass, maybe wood. All I know is that it doesn’t mean something good is happening. It’s an omen of death.

When I reach the door, my hands move frantically over the table, looking for my keys and wallet. Do I even need them? If this building burns to the ground, I’m going to need somewhere to stay, and that means money, credit card, and identification.

My heart’s pounding in my chest, and the more time I spend looking for them and not finding them, the angrier I get. Finally, common sense takes over, and I open the door and step out into the hallway.

A wave of heat hits me immediately. The hallway is full of smoke. More smoke than in my apartment. Thicker, still visible enough to see through but barely. The taste of smoke is bitter against my tongue. I can hear doors slamming and the cracking, popping sounds of the building.

My attention is drawn to the panicked voice of my neighbor as she pleads with one of her daughters to forget about their pet cat.

Melissa. That’s her name. And her daughters are Lynn and Kim.

Her hair’s wild like she’s been pulling on the ends. Kim, the youngest, is clutched in her arm, her legs swaying frantically as Melissa attempts to pull Lynn out the door.

"I can't Mommy, I need Cooper. He’s scared,” Lynn sobs.

I’m frozen watching the interaction take place in front of me as smoke continues to fill the hallway, making it more difficult to see or breathe.

There’s no way in hell I’m running out of this building and leaving the three of them here. I want to scream at her, I’m sorry, Lynn, but you need to get out and your momma isn’t leaving without you. Cooper will make his way out.

Without thinking, I'm already moving.

"I've got her. Just leave the door open so the cat can run out,” I shout, scooping Lynn up in my arms as she kicks and screams trying to break free.

“Thank you." The relief in her eyes is evident.

Lynn’s tiny arms wrap around my neck as she cries for me to get her cat.

"It's okay," I rasp. “He’ll get out. Cats are smart. I bet he’s already outside and waiting for you to join him.”

It’s a lie. Maybe. Probably. But it’s what she needs to hear right now. Her screams soften to a whimper as her eyes scan the hallway.

“It’s smoky,” her soft voice catches as she starts to cough. The relief of not worrying about her pet finally gives her the opportunity to take in what’s happening.

"I know, sweetheart. We're getting out. Just a little bit more to go and we’ll be safely outside." I try to comfort her, but I need to hear the words too. Believing them is half the battle.

We make our way to the stairwell and find pure chaos. People are rushing, pushing each other out of the way in a manic attempt to escape the blaze.

“Get out of the fucking way,” a deep masculine voice shouts just as Melissa’s pushed to the side as he dashes past her. She stumbles into the railing, nearly dropping Kim.

“Are you okay?” She nods, and I take hold of her arm, placing her directly in front of me.