Confessions of a Bestfriend

Chapter 18 Savior

Chapter 18

(Zeke's POV)

My feet was still glued to the ground as I watched the two girls disappeared from view. When my senses snapped back, I ran quickly towards Aria's and Ericka's direction. I was worried about Aria. However, I took pity on Ericka. Inspite of all the drama, she did the right thing. She saved her bestfriend and took the humiliation. That was brave of her.

I skudded thru the hallways and checked some of the rooms. There were no signs of them. I assumed they would have to be at the girl's bathroom.

I strutted forward and then a loud noise echoed thru the corridors. It came from the art room. I went for it and hoped that the two girls were in there. I slowed my pace and pushed the already opened door. It gave out a creeking sound. The hinges might have been rusty.

I walked right in and saw someone in the shadows. Whoever it was, he or she was smoking a cigar crouched down on the cold floor.

I stepped further and he slowly pulled himself up. He was a tall lanky guy maybe six feet in height but I was taller about two inches. The smoke slowly cleared and the light shining from outside touched his awe strucken face.

It was Mark. Aria's ex-boyfriend.

He looked awful. His brown hair was all messed up and striking upwards. It's like he was struck by lightning. His eyes were blood shot red matched with droopy purplish eye lids. He didn't look like the guy I met back at the mini mart. He aged a bit maybe because he's under some crisis. He even looked thinner. Plus, what's more disturbing was he reeked from the smell of alcohol. The guy couldn't even stand still.

He adjusted his eyes and mumbled something. "Whadyadoinhere?"

"I'm looking for Aria." I responded.

"Well...did ya' see 'er with me?" He muttered with sarcasm.

"I better go." I headed for the door but he gripped my shoulders, turned my body to face him.

"Show some respect. I'm still talking to you!" He exclaimed.

"Respect needs to be earned." I shoved his hand.

"What? So you think you're better than me?" He shouted.

"You need to go home." I implied.

"You have no right to tell me what to do." He said and within seconds his knuckles came flying and punched me right in the face.

It was painful and I felt my gums bleed. I reached for my lips and it was busted. My anger raged inside of me. I threw a punch right back at him. He fell down and staggered through the desk of paper mache. He was knocked out cold.

I did not notice that he was still holding his cigarette before I punched him. Within an instant the artworks lit up in fire like dominos falling one after the other.

I undressed my coat and tried putting it out but it spread too fast. The room was composed of materials that were hazardous to fire. A simple tuxedo coat could not stop it.

I started to panic. The flames grew bigger. I went outside of the room to find a fire extinguisher but I remembered it's located at the farthest part of the building. I had to get Mark out of the room first or else he would be toasted.

Mark was still unconscious on the floor. The flames were beginning to make its way towards him. I dragged him by his feet and with all of my might I held him up. I managed to get him out of the room and into the nearest yard outside.

I darted as fast as I could to the fire extinguisher. I jammed my elbow through the glass and it shattered into pieces. I snagged the red metal cylinder and leaped thru the hallways.

When I reached the art room, I was catching my breathe. However, I was too late. The raging flames and smoke grew thicker. I tried extinguishing it but the flames were stubborn. It did not work.

"Fire! Fire! Fire! Everyone get out of the building!" I yelled.

And then I remembered what I was doing here in the first place. I was here for Aria. My senses jumped for fear. Cold rushed through my spine.

"Where could they be? Are they safe? What if something bad happens?" I couldn't think.

My mind was troubled with thoughts. I coughed repeatedly as I inhaled the black smoke. My breathing pattern started to become uneven. Hence, my head kept saying that I need to endure the heat to be able to find them.

I could not pass thru the hallway due to the falling debris from the burning ceiling. Crackling noises were everywhere and the fumes from the burning oil paints seeped into my nostrils. It sent my head spinning. Inspite of the chaos, I held on and ventured calling out there names wishing that they would answer, yet no one's responding.

Moments later, I heard faint voices echoing from the other side.

I rapidly covered myself with my coat and ran thru the bustling flames. It was scorching hot and the heat was slightly burning my clothes. Fortunately, I made it and felt relieved.

I saw Aria beginning to lose consciousness and Ericka lying stuporous on the floor. Good thing, I caught Aria in my arms when she became insensible. The bad thing was, how am I able to carry both of them without getting burnt.

It's an impossible task. I would have to save a girl one at a time. However, there wasn't much time left. The fire was eating up half the corridors.

"Arg! What the hell!" I grabbed both their limp bodies side by side. After I secured them in place, I sprinted for the other side.

We landed heavily on the other side. It was an exhilarating move. I was in high when we successfully made it through. I felt like a daredevil. As I savored the thought, my ankle screamed in pain. It was strained and it hurt real bad. I cried from the agony. Hence, we had to get out of here.

Suddenly, a figure was dashing its way towards us. His blonde hair was tousling in the air as he hastened to our direction. He looked rather familiar yet I hadn't seen him before.

"Hurry up! We need to get out of here!" He held out his arm and pulled us up.

I nodded then he reached for Ericka and held her wedding style. I mimicked his action and carried Aria with all my strength. He led the way and swiftly without turning back we escaped the burning hell of fire.