Page 102 of Something Borrowed

It opens easily. She isn’t close by.

I squint towards a bed, fear surges when I see the ceiling has collapsed onto it and the bedding is on fire beneath thick chunks of burning plaster.

In blind panic I run to the bed and start pulling the ceiling board off it. Searching for her. Grabbing at burning blankets, the coals, and flames bite into my skin. Salty sweat is dripping into my eyes.

My skin is charring, dry and hot.

The smoke is thicker in here and my lungs are screaming for air.

Squinting against the grey veil.

Thick red flames are dancing on the ceiling and up the walls.

If she was on the bed when the ceiling fell - she will be dead.

Verity will be dead.

My search turns to rage as I kick the bed and send the last pieces of wood splintering across the floor towards another door.

Another door.

I run towards that, but my legs buckle beneath me.

I’m dying.

My body is breaking apart with lack of oxygen and overwhelming heat.

Pushing myself up again I move slower. I can’t save her if I kill myself first.

The handle is too hot to touch so I kick it and when it flies open flames shoot out of the bathroom, searching for oxygen in this room.

That’s what happens when you open a window into a burning room. Oxygen pours in, which you are desperate for, but all it does is feed the fire.

Verity is not in here either.

This is impossible. She has to be somewhere.

“Verity.” I scream again, staying low and hunched, keeping my head beneath the building layer of smoke over the ceiling.

Back in the other room I see a chair, toppled over near the window.

And then I see her.

Verity is lying on the floor beneath the window. Her body is still. Lifeless.

“No.” I shout, standing up and running to her. Ignoring the pain in my lungs and the fire licking at my skin.

“No.”

I collapse onto the floor next to her and roll her onto her back so that I can see her face.

I can’t tell if she’s breathing.

There’s no time.

I must get her out of here before if it’s too late - if it isn’t already.

Lifting her in my arms I cradle her against my chest and move towards the door.

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