Page 15 of Scorched Secrets

Somehow, she was able to lever herself high enough to get her second foot up on the sink. Bracing one hand against the wall for balance, she pushed on the grate with the other.

It didn’t move, not even a quarter inch.

“Colin!” She pulled the fabric down from her mouth so she could be heard. “Colin!”

“Faye! I’m here. The fire crew is on the way.”

The news was only slightly reassuring. She pulled the fabric up again over her nose and mouth and beat on the grate with her fist. Did it move? She hit it again and again, hoping and praying she’d manage to knock it loose.

How she’d get through the opening was another obstacle, but one she didn’t dwell on. The good news about being up this high was that a hint of fresh air wafted through the narrow opening.

“Faye!” The grate moved beneath her fingertips. Then it was gone, and she saw Colin’s concerned face in the opening. “I’m here. Are you hurt?”

“No.” She blinked away tears, struggling to remain calm. Normally she was cool under pressure, at least as far as working with a slew of patients coming through the emergency department.

This type of thing was beyond her normal coping skills.

“Can you push up any higher? Crawl through the opening?” Colin’s gaze held hers. “I’m here to support you on this side.”

It seemed an impossible task. Yet she’d managed to get this far. Glancing down, she placed one foot on the top of the faucet and pushed upward. Her face was through the opening now, but she knew there was no way on earth she’d get the rest of body through.

Stupid tears filled her eyes again. So close! She was so close to getting out of the smoky bathroom. Hearing the wail of sirens brought some relief. Help was on the way.

The sink beneath her feet abruptly broke away from the wall. She let out a yelp and managed to grab onto the lower part of the opening where the grate had been to keep from hitting the floor.

“Faye!” Colin covered her hands with his. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t have the breath to answer. Craning her neck, she peered down to see where the sink was, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hold herself there for long. She’d never managed to do a pull-up in her entire life. Doubtful she’d be able to do one now.

“Can you hang on a little longer?” Colin looked down at her through the grate opening.

“I don’t know.” Her voice was muffled against the wall. If she let go, she’d land on the broken remains of the sink. Telling herself it could be worse, she struggled to remain calm. “Just hurry.”

“I won’t leave you.” His low voice was husky.

“I know.” Turning her head from the wall, she coughed. The bathroom door was dark with soot. Or was it blackened wood? An orange flame licked through a narrow opening in the doorway. She watched in horror as the flicker grew longer, as if it were a long, fiery finger reaching toward her.

How long before the door was completely engulfed in flames?

Her fingers cramped on the edge of the grate opening. She wasn’t going to be able to hold herself much longer. The sirens were loud now, so much so that she could no longer hear Colin’s reassuring voice.

Her fingers slipped. Placing one foot against the wall, she pushed her body away and let go. She hit the floor hard, narrowly missing the largest chunk of the broken sink.

Stumbling back, she put as much distance between herself and the burning door. The smoke was thicker now and getting worse by the second.

Then she heard a sizzle as water pummeled the door. A few droplets made it through the cracks, but not enough to help alleviate the smoke. If anything, the smoke thickened.

Faye dropped to the floor in the furthest corner of the room, burying her face in the wet fabric of her scrub top.

Her eyes burned, tears streaking down her cheeks. Deep voices from the other side of the door brought hope of rescue.

Finally, a section of the door gave way, water pouring through the opening. She struggled to her feet, although getting soaked was the least of her concerns. She wanted desperately to escape, to rush through the opening into the fresh air, but held back. The fire might be under control, but that didn’t mean it was safe. Whatever part of the door was left would be sizzling hot.

A fireman burst through the opening. “Faye?”

“Here.” Her voice was a croak.

He stepped forward, compassion in his gaze through his face mask. “I’m going to cover you with this blanket to get you out, okay?”

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