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I blow his brains out across the bakery floor. Blood sprays across the bottom of the pastry counter.
I refuse to believe it’s too late.
I run toward the backroom. It’s an inferno. I can’t see anything but fire and smoke, my eyes and lungs already stinging. The building won’t last much longer.
“CAROLINE! CAROLINE!”
I turn away to take a deep breath and cover my face with my jacket, then work my way into the back room. I kick flaming debris out of the way, looking for any sign of her. She might be lying on the floor or tied up somewhere. I try to keep yelling for her, but the noise of the fire is too much for my smoke-filled lungs to pierce. If she answers, I’ll never be able to hear it over my own coughing.
The office door is closed. Every time I’ve been here before, it’s been open. I kick the door in and see her. She’s tied in a chair, motionless and unresponsive.
I pull out my knife and cut the zip tie that was binding her hands. I throw her over my shoulder and run her back through the burning room, past Kelly’s body, and outside. I lay her down on the sidewalk and check for a pulse.
She’s alive. For now.
I pick her back up and run to my car. Jefferson University Hospital is the nearest Emergency Room. I can get her there faster than any ambulance is going to get here.
While I drive, I squeeze her hand. I keep yelling for her to stay with me. I don’t know if she can hear me, but I have to try.
I pull up to the emergency entrance and carry her into the hospital, yelling for help. When they bring a gurney, I lay her down on it and tell them that she was in a burning building.
They wheel her away. I’m left alone, hoping against hope I got there in time. I collapse to a seat in the waiting room, trying to catch my breath. A nurse brings me a cup of water and puts it into my hand.
I’m terrified. It shocks me. Seeing Caroline’s body limp and unresponsive. I realize how scared I am to lose her. I’ve lost people before. I just lost Jake. He and I worked together for six years. I’ll mourn him. But I’ll keep living.
If I lose Caroline, I don’t know…
A nurse comes over to get more information and I give her Caroline’s full name and her aunt’s name and address.
Eventually, a doctor comes out to give me an update. “We’ve resuscitated her. She’s stable. We’re giving her oxygen now and monitoring her vitals. She suffered severe smoke inhalation. Her body needs a lot of rest. We’ll be keeping her overnight at least.”
Thank god. It sounds like she’ll be okay. “Can I see her?” I ask the doctor.
“What is your relation to Miss Quinn?” He looks at me skeptically.
“I’m… her friend.”
“I’m sorry. We’re only allowed to let family visit at this time.”
I nod as the doctor goes to talk to the receptionist before he returns to the ER. I sit back down in the chair in the waiting room.
I’m not going anywhere until I see Caroline.
17
CAROLINE
When I wake up,I have no idea what time it is or where I am. My body feels exhausted. I was in the deepest sleep I’ve ever felt, and I can barely move any part of my body.
I roll my head to the side and see Aunt Lisa. I try to ask where I am, but it comes out as a mumble. The last thing I remember is fire blazing toward me and Nevan Kelly walking away. My eyes snap open as if I might find him in the room.
Lisa notices I’m waking up. She stands up and comes over to me. Then someone else, much bigger comes up on my other side. It’s Raf. I smile with relief when I see him. My throat and lips feel dry and scratchy.
“You’re alright, honey.” I feel Lisa’s hand on top of mine.
“The fire?” My voice is raspy, and I don’t recognize it.
“Raf found you and got you out.” Lisa looks at Raf, silently thanking him for being there.
