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And just like that, they’re gone.
For good this time.
I hear a ruckus downstairs. They didn’t close the door and I can hear a few of them laughing. They’re so sure they won’t get caught. And I bet that’s true.
The house goes quiet and long minutes pass, but I’m not scared anymore. I’m going to be rescued. I’ve always hated home, but I’ve never wanted to return so badly.
I’m at peace until a smell I didn’t expect reaches me.
Smoke.
Forcing myself to listen past my rising heartbeat, I hear crackling downstairs. And when my eyes start to sting, I understand.
Fire.
They set the place on fire.
For the first time since this whole thing started, I’m not so sure I will survive.
“No,” I cry out. After surviving this man for almost twenty hours, I’m going to die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Help!” I scream. “Help!”
Thick smoke starts to make its way into the room and the fear doubles. I’m on the floor, my wrists and ankles bound, but I still begin to crawl across the room and to the only window. It’s boarded up, but I’m hoping there’s enough air coming through.
“Help! Please! I’m stuck in here!” A sob makes me tremble as the tears come back.
I don’t want to die. I am a few months away from moving away to college. My life hasn’t even started.
Pushing my back against the wall, I manage to slide up. I hop back a step before throwing myself against the board. “Please, help me!”
I bounce and fall back onto the floor, first on my wrists which take most of the crash and then my shoulder. The pain that radiates makes me scream harder.
I struggle to take a breath through the agony. Something’s wrong. Something’s broken, and I wail to the empty house.
“Please,” I cough, even though no one will hear me. I can barely hear myself anymore. I can’t open my eyes. The smoke is too much. “Help me…”
There’s a loud noise beside me, but I can feel myself slipping into the darkness.
Two arms grab me, keeping me conscious. The ache from my shoulder and all the way to my left wrist is keeping me alive.
“I got you.”
It’s his voice.
The leader.
Brown eyes. Plump lips. Three thick scars.
I mustn’t forget.
The smoke becomes thicker, and burning heat blankets us. I bury my head against his chest as I feel him starting to run.
“Hold on. We’re almost there.”
The moment I can drag fresh air into my lungs, I choke on it. I cough until I can’t breathe anymore. My head is spinning, the world around me blurring.
He puts me down on the asphalt. I think we’re on the other side of the street now. I catch the sound of sirens in the distance.
