Loving Eros

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"I know you lie, 'cause your lips are moving. Tell me do you think I'm dumb? I might be young, but I ain't stupid, talking around in circles with your tongue." - Meghan Trainor

Story's eyes struggled to open as she found herself being shaken awake, but that wasn't was first caught her attention. Did she hear... sirens?

"C'mon, Story! Nap time's over!" She glanced up to see Grey looming over her, a frantic expression spread across his face. Story shot up from the couch.

"What is it? What's wrong?" she asked anxiously.

"There's a fire!"

That was it.

She had definitely heard sirens. In fact, she still could. The agency building wasn't on fire itself, no. As Story found herself being dragged and rushed through the building, she heard Araceli on her cell phone revealing something to be worse. The city only had one church, Ozzy once told her. Apparently, that would soon not be the case. What Story didn't understand was why there was such a panic, and why the group was rushing out to their cars. Grey ushered her into his, and she soon found out he wasn't the smoothest driver, but quite possibly the swiftest. She was still a little drowsy, but by the time Grey had driven to their destination, she wasn't drowsy any longer. Instead, she found herself sick.

Story was next greeted by the sight of a blazing structure. Fire leaked out of the church's windows and reached towards the sky, the intensity seemed almost impossible. She hadn't seen the church itself yet, and as a first impression, it wasn't a happy one. It was a small two-story chapel, seemingly worn out. Unlike others she'd seen, this one didn't have any visible stained class. If there were, they were broken to give room to the fire. Fire trucks had already arrived, but they didn't seem adequately prepared yet. All Story could do was stand there, staring in amazement.

"Story, over here," Araceli called out. Standing next to her was Scarlett, with the familiar expression Story had first seen in her. Her focus spaced out, as if she was fully blind. The only difference was that her eyebrows had been stitched into a concerning position.

Story jogged over to the two of them as Grey rushed over to talk to one of the firemen and the police car that had just pulled up. "What is it, Miss Greyson?"

Araceli waved a hand. "You've long been dismissed of formalities, but now's not the time." As she began to say something more, she was interrupted by Scarlett's dry voice.

"Octave's in there, you mates have to do something!"

"Octave?" Story played the name off of her tongue, puzzled.

"Octavia Leggiéri. She's the mayor's daughter," Araceli recited.

Scarlett stomped her foot. "You're wasting time! I'll go in myself!"

She turned to make a run for the church, only to run straight into Ozzy. He raised his eyebrows and placed a hand on her head. "You won't be going anywhere."

Story turned to the two of them. Behind them, the firemen were dousing the flames from the upper floor. A loud snapping noise was heard, as well as the clear music of a floor collapsing. Scarlett's knees immediately caved inward, her hands clutching Ozzy's waist. Story couldn't see the Aussie's face, but she was willing to bet all signs of concern had turned into desperation. What was even stranger of a sight was that a firemen who had prepared himself to pry open the doors had been shoved out of the way by a very familiar police officer. Story regretted it, but a smile dashed across her face for a moment, then dashed away.

"Amanda! She's here!"

As the group watched the officer kick one of the doors open, Ozzy turned to view the scene just in time to see Grey barreling in after her.