Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Where are you in the house?”
“Third floor. There’s no way out.” The reality of the situation sinks in and it takes everything I have not to panic.
“Is there a bathroom?” She asks and I look towards the en-suite.
“Yes.”
“Wet your clothes, block the edges around the door and open the windows. Stay on the line. Keep low to the ground.”
Wet clothes.
Block the edges around the door and open the windows.
The window in here is too small… shit!
I race back into the bedroom wrapped in a soaking towel. The heat… god… it’s too much to bear.
I can’t see anything. My eyes are burning.
The window won’t open. I try to lift the handle, but it’s locked. I’m going to have to break it. But with what?
It’s too hot. I can’t think. There’s nothing in here I can use except the chair and I can’t lift it.
I pound on the glass, the heat drying my tears before they can leave my eyes.
Somebody’s out there. Maybe he’s called for help too!
Who is that?
I slam my hands against the glass over and over. I scream as loud as my lungs will allow. Why’s he just sitting there? Do something!
I check my phone, ready to tell the woman there’s somebody outside, but the line must have failed. There’s no one talking to me now.
The air is too thick with smoke, it burns.
I drop down to my belly, praying that the smoke has risen enough for me to get two short breaths of oxygen at least. It’s in vain.
My phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket and place it to my ear. “Nathan?”
“Gwen?” He sounds panicked. “Where are you?” Is it him outside?
“I… I’m trapped. Your house, it’s on fire.” I cough, my lungs filling with burning ash. There’s no more air in here.
“I’m on my way; I’m two minutes away,” he shouts and I hear the gear stick jam as he tries to shift it too quickly. “Where are you baby? Talk to me?”
“I…” I try to inhale; I try to release another breath.
“Baby, I need you to tell me where you are.”
“Y… your room. Window, won’t open.”
“Okay, go into the bathroom,” he orders softly. “Close the door.”
“Kay.” I look at the door leading to the hall and watch as it begins to glow. “Fire.”
“Gwen, can you open the window in my bedroom?”
I hear him talking, I hear him shouting. I hear my name echo through my mind as delirium kicks in. My head is swimming. The heat is unbearable. “Nathan?” I rasp and he instantly quietens.
I’m so grateful I didn’t bring Dillan. My perfect little Dillan. His smile. His baby giggle. His tiny toes.
I’m never going to see him again.
“I’m here baby, I’m coming. I swear it.”
No! He can’t, he’ll die! “Stay out Nathan, please.”
I can’t tell whether I said it out loud or not. There’s a ringing sound in my ears and my lungs are slowly dying. I can feel it.
There’s so much heat, but I feel numb.
I roll onto my back and close my eyes. I can feel the smoke on my skin, it’s that thick.
There’s nothing but darkness waiting for me.
What would you do if you were to wake up tomorrow and see that this was all a dream? Would you do it all over again?
No. But I’d do the last week over in a heartbeat and I’d spend one last night with Nathan and my little boy.
I feel something cool and wet placed over my body and I’m sure I’m moving. My eyes won’t open and my lungs are wheezing.
“I’m here,” Nathan says and I feel his lap beneath me as I’m pulled into his chest. “The fire extinguisher ran out and the stairs collapsed behind me. I can’t get us out, Gwen. I’m so sorry.”
I want to be angry that he didn’t stay outside. Somebody has to be there for Dillan, but I can’t be, because part of me is glad that I’m not going alone, as selfish as that is.
“I lied,” I say, gripping his hand with weak fingers. Coughing wracks my body. I can’t stop and when I do stop, all I can do is wheeze.
“I forgive you.”
“No,” I shake my head against his neck, feeling the wet towel that covers me begin to warm. With the last bit of energy I have, I place his hand against my stomach and hold it there. “I lied.”
He leans forward and presses his trembling lips to mine. I feel a tear fall from his eye and land on my cheek. If I could cry, I would.
“She would have been as beautiful as you.” He chokes on the air and presses his forehead to mine. “I love you, Gwen,” he whispers, his entire body shaking with emotion. “I’m so sorry.”
“I can’t breathe, Nath,” I mutter, feeling the weight of silence settle on my chest.