She May be Evil

Chapter 24 King

Coughing. I can't stop coughing as I watch the fire climb up the walls, splitting the wood and separating the pillar that hold the ceiling together. I watch as it falls from the other side of the small building, blocking the only entrance I know.

My eyes blink rapidly to keep the debris out of my eyes as I look at the door longingly. That's not fucking good.

Smoke begins clouding my vision as the force of the pillar sends dust in the air. My heartbeat begins to pick up as I adjust my hold on Ms. Clarke, with a couple noises of protest from the burns forming on her body the longer we're in here. Her head rests on my shoulder and her light brown hair sticks to the side of her face as the heat takes a toll on her, no doubt my hair is in the same state.

I keep in mind the longer we're in here the more smoke we inhale. My breathing is labored and ragged as I try to calm down and scan my surroundings. I look for another way out with Ms. Clarke unconscious and not awake to guide me out of her shop.

God it's a terrible time to own a bookstore, I think to myself. Books catching on fire like dominos, falling out of the bookshelves, making me nervous to even move, but I know can't stay here.

I start frantically jogging around the burning building until I spot it. A small window, just big enough for Ms. Clarke to fit through, in the bathroom. But there's a problem. I don't know how I'll squeeze her through unconscious.

Sweat drips down from my eyebrow as I run up as close as I can to the window before closing the door, to keep the fire away as long as possible. I settle Ms. Clarke down on her feet while still supporting her.

I shake her awake quickly and she groans in protest. "Ms. Clarke! Wake up. We're still in the fire and I need you to help me." Her eyes shoot open in panic and I smile to try and calm her down even though I'm panicking myself. I open the window and I point to it. "Can you fit through there? It's the only way out. The exit is blocked off by a pillar."

She takes in what I'm saying and numbly nods. "Yeah I think I can. Wait, what about you? There's no way you can fit through there."

I sigh and nod. "I realize that. But I came in to save you. When I see you make it through that window, I'll find my own way out, your more hurt then me and can barely stay conscious."

She looks like she's about to protest but I cut her off, "here, I'll give you a boost." I squat a little and connect both of my hands together as a foot stool.

She hesitates and looks at me for a little longer before she steps on my hand, I'm about to lift my hand up when she suddenly takes her foot off. "I can't leave you, your our King, your life matters more then mine."

I immediately shake my head.

"We cannot argue about this anymore. The longer you stay here the less time I'll have to find a way out. If you go through this window, you can go get help, okay? The fire is getting worse and you need to leave now, no more talking."

I get in position again and she seems to quickly grasp our situation and immediately makes it out into the window and to the grass on the other side.

I sigh in relief when I see her start running away from the burning building I'm currently trapped in.

I quickly race out of the bathroom, shutting the door and loop around the small store one more time.

The longer I look around the less hope I have on getting out of here. My body starts to sweat more and my eyes start to sting from all the insulation being burned.

The fire is getting closer, cornering me into the back wall.

Fuck, I'm trapped. I look around frantically but quickly realize it's hopeless. My eyes sting but it's now for a totally different reason. My back hits the only wall that's not being engulfed in flames and I slowly slump down it.