HER
I don’t know when I realize it, if it’s before or after the scream.
But once I do, I can’t move.
And it is everywhere.
The smell. The sound. The smoke.
The fire.
The fire is everywhere.
From somewhere that feels not even of this world I hear another scream.
“FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!!!!”
Someone bumps into me so hard I’m on the ground.
For a moment, I see nothing, just stars, and out of habit I grab my side protectively, where my stab wound was. Was, as it has already healed but apparently still leaves a psychological scar.
Then there are feet, so many feet, running in all directions, none of them stopping even for a second.
“JADE!!” I hear someone call my name and I struggle to stand up, shielding myself from the stampede with my arms. I finally get to my feet and up here at my height level the smoke has spread. My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut, trying to find my way by feel instead, subconsciously saving my sight for when I’ll really need it.
The assault on my senses slowly dissipates and I can now make out the faint crackle of flames, still far away, as the sound of the stomping footsteps starts to diminish.
I force my eyes open and the smoke is so thick I can barely see my hands. I drop back down to the ground and it’s clearer here. I look around, scanning the ten inches above the wooden floorboards, and there are almost no feet left, only the last few running to the left and down the hallway.
I crawl on my hands and knees in that direction ignoring the splinters tearing at my skin. I draw a breath, involuntarily engulfing black air. My lungs starting to sear from the inside.
I don’t have time to consider where the fire came from.
Just how I’m going to get out of it.
I find myself against the wall that turns into the office area, I use it to lead me to the hallway and exit. One, two, three steps feel like forever. The heat from the fire is starting to spread, it’s not too bad yet, but there’s smoke, So much smoke.
Thick, swirling, dense, searing smoke in my lungs. I cough and pull my collar over my face. Bargaining for just one good breath. One more lungful of air to fuel me, to get me to safety.
Come on, Jade. Just one step at a time. Just one more.
You’re not going to die here today.
HIM
I hear fire engine sirens even before I get there. I’m sure behind me a police car is following us, but this car will not stop until I get to Jade. To the library, where over a hundred people have congregated to hear about ASH Industries’ new fire safety product.
“How long, Henry, how long?” I ask him, after the car has stalled in traffic for over five minutes.
“I think you better get out and walk, Mr. Ashley,” Henry advises, his voice serious.
I get out but I don’t walk. I run.
It’s five more blocks, but when I take a split second to look up, the air is filled with enough smoke to fill a city skyline. That’s the thing about New York City. It’s lauded as a vast metropolis, but the only thing vast about it is the amount of lives. Little things that happen here can cause a big ripple that echoes in the hearts of millions.
There’s a crowd outside gathering. I scan it for that face, the one face.
She’s not there.
“Kaine!” I hear my name called but it’s not the right voice. I spin around and Harriet separates herself, still panting, from the group.
“Where is she?” I ask.
“I don’t know, I was just leaving the office when the fire broke out and I was dragged out here by the group. I tried to find her but I couldn’t. I didn’t have time.”
“Okay, and you’re alright?” She nods. “Good. I’m… I’m going in.”
“You can’t, Kaine. Just let them…”
I don’t hear the rest of her sentence. I pull off my suit coat and run for the entrance.
“You can’t go in there, sir… just, just leave it for the firemen,” somebody blocks me.
“No! I’m going in,” I push past him.
“No. I’m sorry, you can’t.”
Another joins him, using their bodies to block me. I don’t want to waste any time trying to argue. I can already taste the bile in my throat, my body sick thinking that she might still be inside.
I run down the side alley faster than I’ve run in my life.
Where is the fire coming from? There’s no clue of it from the outside.
I get to the back entrance and fling open the door. A plume of smoke immediately envelopes me. I take two massive clean breaths and hurl myself into the building. From memory, there’s a long hallway before the turn into the main hall where Jade’s office and the launch was going to be held. I close my eyes and hold my breath and run the 20 yards I think is the length of the hallway, then I drop to my knees and turn around the corner into the hall.
My skin instantly feels like it’s melting.
I’ve felt it before. None of this is new to me.
“JADE!” I yell and wait for her reply but all I hear is the sound of flames burning into paper, into wood, eviscerating thousands of books in its path.
“JADE!” I call again, not caring that I only have seconds left of air.
I’m not leaving without her.
I’m leaving with her. Or not at all. What would be the point?
HER
I don’t know what burns more, my eyes, my arms, my legs, or my lungs.
I don’t even know if I’m moving at this point. I think I am, but it all looks the same, feels the same.
Suddenly, I hear the sound of footsteps and someone yanking me to my feet.
“Miss! You’re okay, we’re just going to get you outside.”
“Please. Help,” I gasp.
“Is there anyone else in there?”
“I don’t know… I didn’t see anyone.” A cough wracks through my body and I’m dragged by my arms for a few seconds and it’s suddenly bright.
“JADE!” I feel myself lifted onto something, probably an ambulance stretcher but I’m not sure. A mask covers my mouth and nose obstructing my views and I can barely see through my burning, teary eyes.
“Oh, Jade, thank God you’re alright.” There’s a pat on my shoulder and I struggle to turn my head. It’s Harriet. I try to smile, but not much is under my control at this point.
“Did Kaine save you?” I think I hear her ask through the fog, but my brain isn’t clear.
“Kaine? He’s here?” I say, my voice smothered by the oxygen mask.
“What? I can’t understand you, honey.”