Fire1

Smoke Signals


By the time we return, the building is already nearly covered in flame. The crowd formed around it is filled with awe and terror. Some people are running back and forth with buckets of water, but it does little to stop the fire. Mothers cry in tears, but only a few are holding their children. Some have to be held back from running into the fire.

One woman in particular thrashes to get free while pointing to the pile of scrolls on the ground, then to the second floor window just above. She screams one word over and over again.

“Akyu. Akyu!”

Oh god, Akyu is still inside.

I turn to Keine, but woman I know isn’t there. Instead, there is girl with a horrible look of panic and fear covers her face. Something about that expression chills me to the bone and sickens my stomach. She shouldn’t wear it. She should never have to wear that look ever again. Not if I have anything to say about it.

And then something snaps. There is no thought, only resolution. My feet push forward towards the door on their own. People are yelling, but I can’t understand it. It’s just a murmur engulfed by the roaring flame ahead. As the blazing inferno comes closer, the air becomes uncomfortably hot and sharp. The bright flickering light and thick smoke claw at my eyes, causing me to tear up and squint. The heat spreads right past my clothes as if I was wearing nothing.

What the hell am I do? I'm going to get myself killed.

One final gasp for air and I tumble into the blaze, arms thrown over my face.

And then all the air is gone

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