Page 24

S TRANGE WARMTH ROUSES me from sleep, and I start coughing before I even open my eyes. What’s going on? I blink, still coughing.

Fire!

The library is in flames, and the fire is spreading toward me. There’s a whole lot of smoke, and I can’t see the windows. I get to my feet, covering my mouth and nose with my shirt and stumble away from the fire.

At least it has started on the opposite end from the door, but as I reach it and try the handle, I remember it’s locked.

“Help!” I scream as I bang on the door. “Fire!”

But more smoke fills my lungs, and my eyes water. I can’t yell for help anymore because I can’t stop coughing. As I slam my fist against the door one more time, I sink down to the floor. My chest is so heavy.

It’s Victor. He must’ve sneaked back into the library while I was asleep, and he set something on fire.

I expected a lot of things from him, but actually killing me? I didn’t think he’d do that, and all for what? Revenge? Because he hates me? Because I mentioned his father? He’s fucking crazy, but that’s not going to help me. I should’ve just stayed away from him and kept my mouth shut.

You’re playing with fire, and you’re going to get burned.

It was what he said to me once, and I didn’t listen. I forgot all about it.

Fuck!

The fire is spreading, and no one’s coming. I’m lightheaded and sleepy. Is there anything I can do? I’m too disoriented and confused. Forcing myself to my feet, I bang on the door once again.

I don’t know how long I keep doing it, but dark spots dance in my vision. As I fall to the floor, I can barely feel anything. Everything seems so distant, like I’m no longer in my own body. At least I won’t know when the fire finally consumes me.

There’s a loud crash somewhere. I don’t know what’s going on. Everything around me is hazy. Then I’m lifted up. Am I flying? Floating? Is this what death feels like? Because it’s warm and nice, like an embrace.

But the foggy darkness around me changes, and there’s a bright light. I close my eyes because it stings.

“Emi, open your eyes.” Something warm touches my cheek. “Emi!”

I blink.

Victor stares at me, his eyes filled with worry and panic. Whoa, of all the things I thought I would see when I died, I didn’t expect Victor to be there. That’s so weird.

And we’re on the move. He’s running with me in his arms.

“Help!” he yells.

It’s dark again. And cold. I shiver.

Then there are lights again, and I have to squint.

Someone puts something over my face, and I can breathe again. Or maybe I’ve been breathing this whole time, but my chest hurts less now.

I’m lying on something... and there are people moving around. A stretcher? An ambulance?

“Can I come with her? Please.” Victor asks, and I want to smile because he has such an innocent, sweet boy look that it’s impossible to say no to him. “I’m her boyfriend.”

“Okay, fine,” someone I can’t see responds.

Victor climbs into the ambulance next to me, taking my hand. I stare at him. Is this whole thing a dream? What is he doing? And why did he just say he was my boyfriend?

Let me guess. He set the library on fire but didn’t expect me to actually almost die? Maybe he thought I’d call for help, but he probably knows the signal is shit in there for some reason.

And he knew I was still stuck in there. If he set the fire, he knew I’d be in danger. So what the fuck? Was it just to scare me and show me that he would actually kill me if he felt like it? Is he now with me to make sure I don’t say anything to the cops?

I’m more confused than ever, and I don’t think it’s only because of all the smoke I inhaled. Victor caresses my fingers. I want to ask him what he’s doing, but I can’t because of the oxygen mask over my face, and now’s not the right time anyway.

Everything feels so strange, and maybe Victor isn’t really here. Maybe it’s someone else and I’m seeing things. I can’t trust my eyes right now. All I know is that I’m alive.

***

I T’S REALLY HIM. IT’S really Victor. As I rest in my hospital bed, I can see him in the hallway. He’s always lurking and talking to the nurses, but he doesn’t come in. Then my parents show up, and he’s gone.

“Honey, are you okay?” My mom’s teary eyes look me up and down as she runs her fingers through my hair. “I should’ve texted you before going to sleep. I would’ve realized something was up.”

“Mom, I’m fine. Really. It’s not your fault. I was studying and I dozed off,” I say.

My dad stops pacing up and down the room and meets my gaze. “But what happened? Where was everyone? How did they just leave you locked in there? It makes no sense!”

“I don’t know.” I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I don’t have to say anything just yet until I find out more.

If there’s any evidence against Victor and it doesn’t magically disappear, then the cops will get him. But if not and I blame him, only I will suffer the consequences.

“Who was that boy who saved you?” my mom asks. “I want to find him and thank him. The nurse said he was your boyfriend, but she must’ve misunderstood something.”

Oh, it was just my wannabe murderer.

My nemesis.

My bully.

“I don’t remember,” I lie. “My classmate, I think.”

“He’s a very brave boy. I heard he ran into the fire and got out with you. He risked his own life.” She squeezes my hand.

If only she knew the truth. Victor is no hero. Is that what he wants, though? For everyone to think he’s my big savior? Is social media already full of overblown stories about his heroics?

But once again, I don’t have my phone. It was probably destroyed in the fire, along with my bag.

I should ask Victor to pay me for all the damage he’s done, but if I do that, will he try to kill me once again? I really need to have less empathy for him and stop hoping there’s a good guy somewhere inside his cold, hard shell.

“A nice police officer told me he’d like to speak with you,” my mom says. “But you need to recover first.”

I nod. “My memory is a little hazy.”

“That’s completely normal. You don’t have to worry. It’ll all come back to you.” She gives me an encouraging smile.

“When can I go home?” I don’t know what I’m going to do, but Victor can just come here any time he wants and I don’t think anyone will stop him.

Sure, he broke into my home before too, but I was alone then. I doubt my mom and dad will leave me on my own now.

“We still have to talk to the doctor,” my dad says. “I think they’ll keep you under observation for a while.”

Great. I guess I’ll have to hope Victor doesn’t come to finish me off. But then again, he could’ve just let me burn, so maybe he doesn’t want me dead.

Maybe I should reconsider my decision not to transfer to another college. I could’ve died. Yeah, my bully will get away with everything and get exactly what he wants, but I’ll be alive and free. Things have gone way too far this time.