Page 90 of Sinful Scars

“Mami!” I yell as I bang my hand against the door.

Is this Marco playing a trick on me?

“Marco, this isn’t funny! Let me out!”

Pressing my ear against the door, I try to listen out for the sound of Marco’s footsteps running down the hall, or his cheeky laugh when he’s teasing me.

But there is only shouting.

My father’s voice is lost among the sea of voices that have now joined in.

More men have come.

What is happening?

“Help!” I pull on the handle with all my strength. “Please, Papi! Help me?—”

An awful smell hits me, and I look around.

Smoke is creeping in beneath my door.

I stagger back from the door as it starts to fill up my room.

My throat is scratching, and I can’t hold my cough in.

If there’s smoke, there’s fire. And I’m completely trapped.

My legs almost give out as the panic sets in.

“MAMI! PAPI! MARCO!” I run to the door, banging my fists against it. “HELP ME!”

The smoke is filling up my room at an alarming rate which means the fire must be nearby.

Is it near mybrother’s room?

“Marco,” I sob as I continue to pound on the door.

The smoke is starting to fill my lungs, and I start coughing violently.

Tears stream down my face as the smoke burns my eyes, but there’s nowhere else for me to go.

I can’t escape it.

I’m going to burn to death if someone doesn’t find me fast.

A fit of cough overtakes me, and my throat starts closing up.

I grab the glass of water I always have on my bedside table, but it slips and shatters on the floor.

I bolt upright in bed, gasping for air as the phantom smoke burns my lungs.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t?—

“One…” I place a hand on my heart to try and calm myself down.”

“Two…” It’s as if my lungs are working against me as I try to take a breath, but there’s no relief.

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