180 MORTAL DANGER ARIEL’S POV I was still standing here, looking worried, right in the crowd. Jack wouldn’t let me go inside, since he said Luke was there. So I hoped Luke wouldn’t let me down. I could hear the murmur of the crowd. I didn’t know what they were talking about, but I didn’t like it. I was never a fan of gossip, so if these people were talking shit, that was their own cup of tea. Everything was just revolving in my head like a goddamn movie–the piercing wall of sirens cut through the air, blending with the roar of flames consuming the building. And I stood right here, with intense fear in my heart, hoping that the little ones would get through this chaos. My heart is a turbulent sea of fear and despair. My children, my precious ones, are trapped inside that inferno, Anderful fragile souls surrounded by merciless fire. I wasn’t close to that building, but each lapping tongue of flame felt like a lash against my heart, tearing at my very being Memories flashed before my eyes–the first time I held my children, the laughter that once filled our home, the dreams we shared for a future now uncertain. The reality of the situation gripped me like a vice, squeezing the breath from my lungs. Every thought and scream that pierced the night sky was a dagger to my soul, a reminder of the precious lives I had brought into this world, now in mortal danger. My mind raced, a whirlwind of prayers and pleas to any higher power that might listen. Desperation fueled me, pushing me to the edge of sanity as I watched helplessly from right here. The heat of the flames seemed to sear my skin even from a distance, mirroring the searing pain in my heart. Time slowed to a crawl, each agonizing second stretching out into eternity. The wait was torturous, a relentless onslaught on her already fragile state of mind. My love, fierce and unyielding, battles against the encroaching despair threatening to consume me whole. I’ve been through a lot, but I hoped this wasn’t the end. It seemed so dreadful; it looked so horrendous. But I couldn’t let the negative feeling consume me. Where were the responders anyway? Why wouldn’t they arrive so they could bring a flicker of hope within me? I could cling to this like a lifeline, willing it to grow into a blazing beacon of salvation. For in the midst of the raging fire, one thing remains unwavering: a mother’s undying love, a force of nature stronger than any inferno. The fire had been raging for what felt like hours, engulfing the entire building in its destructive flames, and Luke had not yet shown up with my children. I was worried, but why did I even believe Jack in the first place? I could have just gone there myself. Of course, the crackling of the fire and the tilling of the air created a sense of urgency. It made a thunderous sound like powerful rumbles of thunder, and it looked like the building was going to be wrecked fully. I didn’t want that. No, no, my children were in that building; I didn’t want that. Suddenly, the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance, growing louder and louder. The firefighters had arrived, their trucks and equipment illuminated by the fiery glow of the building. MORTAL DANGER I moved towards them. “Please save my children. They’re in there.” “Try to stay calm, ma’am. We’ll try our very best.” Without hesitation, they quickly sprang into action. I just hoped their training and experience would guide them as they made their way through the chaos. Why were they called firefighters? Through the thick smoke and intense heat, they made their way inside the burning building, and I hoped they were determined to save the lives of the people in there: my children, and if there were other individuals inside, I prayed that nothing bad would happen to them. I’ve seen in movies where firefighters were fully prepared, with their axes and hoses in hand, battling intense flames, their bravery and selflessness shining through as they risked their own lives to save others. But this was reality, and I hoped things would go that way. I sighted someone running out of the building; it was Janice. My eyes widened immediately, and I sprinted to her. When we had gotten close, I carried her. “Janice, my love. I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m glad that you’re alive,” I said, dropping her down. I hugged her tightly, hunkering down. “What about your brother? Why didn’t he come along with you? “He couldn’t run. He was too scared,” Janice answered. “Mommy, please, we need to save Lukel.” “Don’t worry, sweetheart. The firefighters are now in the building. They’ll get everything sorted out. But I’m so glad you’re okay.” “Mommy, I still think you need to go in there and get Lukel. He was really terrified, and the man there was trying to help the both of us. But Lukel was really afraid.” “Who? Luke?” “I don’t know his name. But I know I’ve seen him before.” “Okay, Janice. You need to get some rest. I’ll walk you to my car. Stay there and don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back with Lukel, I promise.” Janice nodded, and I took her to my car, where she settled in. “Stay here, alright?” I caressed her hair before closing the door. I turned around headlong, bracing myself. I think I was going to find my way inside that burning building. I didn’t care what anyone was thinking. “Mommy,” Janice halted me, and I turned to her. “Please don’t let anything bad happen to Lukel,” she told me. “I’ll try my best, sweetheart. I won’t let anything terrible happen to your brother.” She nodded, so I walked away. I made my way through the crowd and was about to stir to the burning building, but my hand got seized again. I turned to see who did that, and it was still Jack. He was i really annoying. 180 MORTAL DANGER 3/3 “Can you please let me go?” I demanded. “No, Mrs. Reynold. I can’t let you risk your life. The firefighters are already there. They’ll save your son.” I looked at him for a moment. “Let me go.” “Mrs. Reynold, think about it. You could lose your life.” “I’d rather die protecting my children than run away and let something terrible happen to them.” “But nothing terrible’s going to happen. The firefighters are…” “I don’t know why you keep stopping me. Did Luke tell you to do this?” “No, he didn’t even know you were coming.” “Good. Now let go of me.” I pulled my hand off his. This woman walked out of the building, coughing seriously, and she advanced towards me. Some of her clothes were burned, and I could see some scars on her arms. obec “You’re okay, right?” I asked her, trying to be concerned. “Yes, I am,” she replied, breathing heavily. “But as for your son, he’s…” “My son? He’s what?” I asked immediately, out of curiosity. I had no idea who this lady was, so I could ask myself how she knew Lukel was my son. Oh well, that didn’t matter at the moment. “What’s wrong? Did anything bad happen to him?” I asked, as the lady was keeping silent. “Tell me.” “I think he’s dead,” she answered.
