Page 2 of Burn

God, I’m so tired.

I lean into the wall, allowing it to support my heavy body as I walk toward the stairs.

Maybe I’ll rest for a minute here.

My body feels like it weighs a ton, and my knees give way as I sink to the floor, pulling Millie’s carrier onto my lap and resting my forehead against the cool plastic. The air here feels clearer and thinner, and I breathe rapidly, my chest heaving with each inhale. My heart pounds against my chest, and my fingers feel numb. I could close my eyes for a few minutes and continue once I’ve rested a bit…

I let my eyes fall closed.

Just for a minute.

Then I’ll get to the stairs.

Strong hands grip my arms, pulling me from my nightmare.

I was dreaming of fire.

I open my eyes as I’m lifted, staring into a firefighter’s mask. My chest feels like fire is erupting from within me. He’s saying something I can’t comprehend. His strong hands, clad in rough gloves, dig into my arms, grimy and covered in soot. He lifts me to cradle me in his arms, and I realize my hands are empty. I try to catch his attention and tell him he’s leaving her behind. When he doesn’t stop or turn back, I fight. Kicking and punching with every ounce of strength I have, I strive to break free.

My feet hit the ground. I stagger, my legs barely holding me up. But then I lurch forward, running back to where I was, where she was.

But it’s empty.

My head spins back and forth, searching the smoke-filled hall for Mildred. She’s gone.

No, no, no, no, no….

The strong hands grab me again; the tears spring from my eyes as I look at the stranger.

“My cat. Where’s my cat?” I sob.

He says something I can’t understand and pulls me.

I can’t leave her.

She must be in my condo.

I pull my arm from his and run. My legs pump, lungs burn. I scream her name in a voice that’s unrecognizable — hoarse and desperate. I reach my door and frantically search for her. Did I dream of putting her in the carrier? I check under the couch and under my bed. She’s not here. I push past the firefighter again, running out my door and back into the smoky hall.

She’s gotta be here.

I stumble and fall, coughs overtaking my body and —oh god, my lungs.

I try to stand and fail.

I can’t breathe.

Footsteps behind me. A shadow moves in the smoke. I spin — and see the firefighter.

Coming for me again.

No, no, no.

Why is he chasing me?

My adrenaline drives me up, and I use the last energy in my tired body to run for the stairs. I’m no longer trying to escape the fire; I’m trying to escape the monster chasing me. As I reach them, the door flings open, and I collide with a wall. Not a wall, another firefighter.

Warm brown eyes, wild with fear, meet mine.