Protector

Chapter I

I coughed as smoke irritated my lungs. Tears flowed down my cheeks, the debris in the smoke burning my eyes as it suffocated my struggling lungs. My breathing was becoming desperate, my gasps for air shortening the longer I remained trapped. I clutched my chest, gasping for air I couldn't get. Looking around for an exit, I let loose a frustrated and angry curse. Everything was mushed and blurred together, indistinguishable from danger and safety.

I tried to tell myself that all of this was just a dream, that I'd wake up from this hell and be back in my room curled in the warmth of my blankets. This wasn't a dream, though; it was the reality.

I was trapped in a reality that gave me no chance to survive.

*** SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE ***

"Did Dad say anything about buying that grill they mentioned?" I asked my mother while I put away the numerous grocery bags into the trunk.

"Not that I can remember. I think Carlos said that he would probably buy it if he liked it." She said, pushing a box of milk and vegetables into the corner of the trunk.

I didn't answer and grabbed the shopping cart from her. "Go and start the car while I put the cart back."

She nodded and we drove home afterward.

"Have you thought about putting up your latest drawing?" My mother asked as she rounded a corner.

I raised my dark eyebrows. "You mean the wolf with heterochromia and a bunch of blood?"

The gears in her head worked and she spared me a glance. "I think so. It might not be a cute drawing, but it does bring out your skills."

I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you and what have you done with my queasy mother?"

"I am not queasy!" She protested. "I'm just saying that it would be an interesting piece to hang in your bedroom."

I giggled and shook my head. "I've been thinking about it. I'll just have to get it laminated and framed so it looks nice."

Clear blue skies with few clouds came into view. It didn't last long, though.

Smoke plumed nearby, a frown of confusion and concern crinkling my forehead. "Mom, isn't that smoke coming from around where home is?"

My mother twisted around to see the smoke and her eyes widened. She shifted gears and turned around the corner leading towards home.

My hands flew to the dashboard, giving my mother a panicked gaze. "Mom?"

"Call your father right now." The steely glimmer in her chocolate brown eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

The line was still ringing when my mother sped down the street to our house, our gasps drowned out by the flames consuming it.

"Jasmine! Mom!" I whirled around, Carlos' towering form approaching mine.

"What's going on? Why's the house on fire?" Mom demanded.

"Someone's coming out!" Carlos cried. He and my father rushed to help them.

"Thomas?" I called, noticing the kid's lanky build. I rushed to his side. "What the hell is going on? I thought you left with your father?"

He heaved, coughing persistently. "No, I—" he clutched his chest and coughed, panting. "He told me to stay behind to help Mom."

"Jasmine," His mother gasped, grabbing my arm. "Y-Your brother is still inside. We tried to get to him, but—"

Panic gripped my heart and refused to let go. "N-No. No!" My gaze flew to my burning home as horror forced tears down my cheeks.

I couldn't let it end like this. I took a vow to protect him, to shield him of the horrors of the outside world.