111 Crossbow Lane

Open flames.

As soon as the ambulance stops I jump out and run up the stairs. The men get to the door and try to open it. It opens. What the...

They enter the house and go to Gideon, I follow but as soon as I reach the door it slams shut in my face. Actually hitting me in the face. I rub my face, my eyes are teary and my poor nose is so sensitive. I feel something wet and feel my face, great my nose is bleeding. I try to open the door, but it won't open.

"Hey! Can you guys let me in please?" One of the paramedics comes over and tries to open the door. It won't budge. We look at each other through the glass partition. I don't know which of us looked more scared, me or him.

"This is not normal. How come it won't open?" I look at him shaking my head.

"I don't know. The same thing happened to me. Try the back door." I run around the house and up the back porch steps to the back door. I see the paramedic come over to the door. He tries the door, the same result. We look at each other. Our eyes communicate what words can't. I swallow hard.

"I smell gas. Did you leave the stove burners on or something?"

"No. I barely use it. I use the microwave." He turns around and walks over to the stove to check it.

"It seems to be off." He shouts from across the kitchen.

Suddenly there's flames coming from the stove and engulfs the poor man. He flails with his arms, he runs around aimlessly, screaming. I smell burning flesh. He falls down and doesn't move anymore, his screams have died down. I run at the door and hit it with everything I've got, it doesn't budge. I can only look on in horror.

His partner runs into the kitchen and tries to put out the flames with a wet towel. He manages to put it out, but it's too late for his friend. We stare at each other. Tears running down my face.

"What the fuck happened to Carlos?"

"I don't know." I cry. "He said he smelled gas, he looked at the stove, there was nothing wrong. Then..."

"What?"

"Then out of nowhere the flames started and engulfed him. He didn't stand a chance."

"I don't smell any gas. The stove is off, nothing is wrong. What really happened?"

"I'm telling you the truth. I don't know what the hell happened. There's no logical explanation for what happened."

"We need to call the police. Something clearly happened here. Your friend unfortunately didn't make it. And now my partner's dead under very strange circumstances."

"I'll call them. I'm sorry about your partner." I turn around and wipe away the tears. I was too late, Gideon is gone and it's all my fault. I dial nine one one a second time today.

"Nine one one. What seems to be your emergency?" The operator asks. I can't believe I actually got through.

"Hi, please send the police and an ambulance. Two of the paramedics came out to assist me with my friend, but sadly he didn't make it and one of the paramedics also died, a freak accident I think."

"Ma'am, what is the address?" He asks calmly.

"It's hundred and eleven..."

"Crossbow Lane." He finishes my sentence.

"Yes. How did you know?" I'm stunned. What is it with this town and my house?

"I've dispatched a patrol car to your house. Ma'am stay on the line okay."

"Okay."

"Is the other paramedic still inside the house?"

"Yes."

"Tell him to get out now."

"We've tried the doors, they won't open. He's stuck inside."

"I'm dispatching the fire brigade too ma'am. Please stay away from the house, do not enter it whatever happens ma'am."

"I won't. I...hello? Hello?" The line cut out again.

I turn around and see the paramedic kneeling in front of his friend and praying. What I see next I would never have believed if I didn't see it for myself.

A big butcher's knife looms over the paramedic, suspended in the air. Hovering, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike and end the young paramedic's life.

I tried to yell out, but my voice caught in my throat. I hit the door with all my force. It doesn't open. The paramedic turns around, still kneeling. He sees me and then sees the looming knife. Too late, as it stabs down into his head.

I shake uncontrollably. That didn't just happen...I staggered backwards and fell down the back porch steps landing flat on my back. Hitting my head hard against the ground, knocking me unconscious. I'm floating in an ocean of blackness, thick and smothering...

I hear something...something...no someone...calling me...I try to open my eyes but they don't seem to want to open now.

"Come on. You can do it. You're okay. Open your eyes."

I try again, this time I manage to open my right eye, as soon as it's open my left eye opens too. I stare, blinking, trying to focus on the person in front of me.

I stare at him, frowning. My brain doesn't want to make sense of any of this. It refuses to recognise the man in front of me.

"Gideon?"

"Hey darlin. Welcome back. Let me help you up."

I groan in pain. My back hurts, my head hurts and everything is spinning around.

"Take it easy darlin. Here, take my hand." He holds out his hand and I take hold of it. He helps me up slowly and carefully.

"How are you alive?" I looked at him astonished that he was out here with me, alive and kicking.