Chapter 23 – A Twist Of Fate
Emerson’s POV
Today, a strange feeling of unease gnawed at me. Why did I feel so terrible? Perhaps it was the weather. Stuffiness and gloom hung in the air, casting a shadow over everything. I needed some fresh air to *shake off this terrible feeling.
I dialed my mother’s number. The phone rang a few times before she answered.
“Hello, Emerson! How are you, dear?” Her voice was warm and cheerful.
“Hi, Mom. I was wondering if I could come over for a visit and pick up Liam,” I said, trying to sound happy despite the strange turmoil. inside.
“Oh, of course! We’d love to see you. Your father will be glad to see you too,” she replied. “I’ll get our private chef started on making some delicious pastries. I know how much you love them.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be there soon,” I said, feeling a small smile tug at. my lips. She had a habit of treating me as if I were still a boy.
“Drive safely, Emerson. We can’t wait to see you,” she said before. we hung up.
Lilith had gone traveling with her close friends, leaving my parents. to look after our son. I got in my Porsche and made my way over to my parents. Lost in thoughts, I took a wrong turn. I found myself. detouring through a neighborhood filled with apartments.
I turned into a street that was packed with people. The panic was palpable. I quickly realized why–a building was on fire, smoke billowing out in thick plumes. The wail of fire engines cut through. the chaos.
Ordinarily, I would’ve moved on. But something about this scene felt disturbingly familiar. I squinted through the smoke and suddenly realized why. I recognized the building–it was Emma’s apartment, Isabel’s best friend. I wondered if Emma was there.
Then it hit me. Isabel had mentioned that she moved in with Emma. My heart pounded as a wave of panic washed over me. “Isabel! Are you in there?” I muttered to myself.
I parked my car haphazardly and rushed into the crowd. I ignored the shouts and warnings of the firemen. They tried to hold me back, but my determination was too strong. I glanced up and saw a figure near a window that looked eerily like Isabel. I saw a glimpse of golden hair and a dress I think I remembered. A surge of fear propelled me forward. I had to save her!
I quickly counted what floor Isabel’s window was on. “One, two… Third floor,” I confirmed. Then, I pushed my way through the crowd. to get to the entrance.
The intense smell of smoke filled my nostrils as I plunged into the building. I quickly covered my nose and mouth with my sleeve. I fought my way through the throng of people fleeing downstairs. Their cries and screams heightened my sense of urgency. Flames were bursting out of the elevator. I ran up the smoke–filled staircase.
Suddenly, someone collided with me on my way upstairs. They sent me stumbling and I hit the wall at an awkward angle. Pain shot through my arm, but I shook it off. I must look like a madman the only one running up while everyone else was escaping.
–
Three floors up, I paused. I ran through the corridor. “Where are you, Isabel? Which door could it be?” I muttered. The wind–chime on door number 28 caught my eye. Isabel had made one just like it for me. This must be it.” With a burst of adrenaline, I kicked into the door. It didn’t budge. “Damn, they make this look easy in movies.” A couple of kicks and full body slams later, the door finally broke down with a
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big crash. I stumbled inside.
Inside the apartment, the smoke was thick. I squinted my eyes and could just make out Isabel slumped on the ground by the window. I rushed over and found her barely conscious. Her face was pale, streaked with tears and soot.
How could she be so careless?! Why didn’t she escape? I shouted ‘some words at her, unable to control my anger. I wrapped her in my coat to shield her from the worst of the smoke and flames.
“Isabel, hang on,” I whispered, lifting her into my arms. She was lighter than I remembered. A pang of guilt stabbed at my heart. Did she lose weight because of the divorce? Or… Did it have something to do with the hair loss?
Navigating back through the inferno was a nightmare. Flames licked at the walls. The heat was almost unbearable. I held Isabel tightly, promising myself I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
We were so close to escaping when a loud crack sounded above us. I looked up just in time to see a flaming beam hurtling down. There was no time to react, nowhere to run.
“No!” I shouted, trying to shield Isabel with my body as the beam crashed down.
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