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The entire school was evacuated quickly, panicked from the strength of the fire. Only a handful of people suffered burns, but it was still a handful too many. My own lungs ached with all the smoke I inhaled and while I wasn’t burned, I didn’t make it out unscathed. I caught wind of students cutting class and hanging out in the crypt and went back in to save them. A fireman dragged us out of the entrance at the last minute, right before it collapsed.
Adrenaline pumping through my veins, I barely registered the fact that I brushed death so closely.
Now my shoulders crumbled with the responsibility weighing on me. Most of the damage occurred to the exterior, yet it affected many classrooms. Half of St. Victoria looked like a skeleton caving in on itself. Not only was the devastating fire a traumatic experience, but it would impact the way we taught moving forward.
The faculty members lingered on the outskirts of the property, monitoring the students, while I stood close to the school with the authorities. The firefighters did an impeccable job putting out the fire.
“Did anybody see who started it?” I coughed into my elbow.
“No, ma’am.” The cop in front of me gave me a sympathetic expression. “We’re going to continue the investigation, but there’s a strong possibility this wasn’t an accident.”
Why would someone do this on purpose?
I swayed a little.
The cop grabbed my shoulder to steady me, saying worriedly, “I think you need medical assistance.”
Three ambulances were already on the scene. “Yes, I think I will go seek…”
I trailed off when I spotted a familiar tall silhouette standing by the destroyed porch steps, a cell phone pressed to their ear. My feet carried me closer and that sense of foreboding slowly slipped away as comfort found residence in my frame.
Were my eyes playing tricks?
“Zeno?” I whispered.
My husband turned around slowly.
His brown eyes filled with an anarchic glint hooked me to the spot. He was breathing harshly, the hand holding his phone dropping to his side.
The universe yanked our thread and suddenly I ran, accosting him with all my remaining strength.
Zeno opened his arms and caught me, burying his head in my neck.
He clutched me like I was his anchor to reality, his big body shuddering with a broken inhale.
Words were not necessary to acknowledge the shift happening between us.
My heart opened its cage and allowed Zeno to step inside, to brume every corner with his presence.
He was never leaving. I wouldn’t allow it.
“Where are your bodyguards?” Agony dripped from his voice.
My response was muffled against his suit jacket. “Helping the faculty members with the students.”
“I’m hiring you a new security team in the next hour.”
His need to take care of me brought a smile to my face. I tightened my arms around him and pressed my face in his throat, needing to smell his familiar cologne. “Okay.”
The heart was a fool wherewantwas concerned, and mine wanted Zeno’s embrace to last forever until we were one. Two jagged puzzle pieces finally a whole.
He pulled away to search my face for any visible injuries. “Where’s your phone?”
I swallowed. “It died.”
Zeno closed his eyes and cursed softly.
He must have been calling me. Guilt pricked my conscience. “I’m so sorry, Zed.”
