A.L.E.N - Between Shadows (Chapter 2)

Act 31

As the flames consumed the machine in the room, Alen and Edward found themselves locked in a desperate struggle. They were oblivious to the growing inferno until the acrid stench of burning material filled the air.

In the chaos, the blare of alarms pierced through, drawing the attention of the nurse at the reception desk. She watched as the emergency lights flashed red, signaling the urgency of the situation. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics scrambled to assist the patients, their movements a frenzied dance against the encroaching flames.

In the midst of the turmoil, Alen, momentarily overcome by his emotions, lashed out at Edward before regaining his composure. Snatching Kate up in his arms, he bolted from the room, heedless of Edward's protests echoing behind him.

"You coward?! Get back here!" Edward's voice rang out, but Alen pressed on, his focus solely on getting Kate to safety.

Edward, undeterred, gave chase, but the situation took a dire turn as spilled alcohol ignited, engulfing the room in flames. With no windows to provide an escape route, smoke billowed thickly, obscuring vision and causing disorientation.

Caught in the chaos, Alen found himself surrounded by fire, with Kate held tightly in his arms. Edward's desperate pleas barely registered as Alen struggled to make sense of the unfolding nightmare.

"Al..., please! I don't want to lose her! Please!!!" Edward's voice cracked with emotion, but Alen's mind raced, torn between his own instincts and the safety of those around him.

As debris rained down, blocking Alen's path, Edward's frustration boiled over. "You idiot! What the hell are you doing?" he shouted, his words lost amidst the roar of the flames.

Dizzy and gasping for air, Edward succumbed to unconsciousness, his fate uncertain until the arrival of a female firefighter who pulled him from the inferno just in time.

Regaining consciousness, Edward found himself disoriented, his daughter Cathleen's voice pulling him back to reality. "Dad? Dad...?!" she called, concern etched in her tone.

Apologizing for his momentary lapse, Edward smiled weakly, his hand pressed against his forehead as he attempted to shake off the lingering effects of the ordeal.

Later, as Edward bid farewell to Liam and Cathleen at the front door, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that they had escaped unscathed. "Well, I hope the article helped," he remarked, a note of levity creeping into his voice.

Liam nodded in agreement, expressing gratitude for Edward's assistance in uncovering the truth behind the mysterious accident. Cathleen chimed in, offering words of encouragement to Liam as they discussed his prospects for a new position.

Curiosity piqued, Edward inquired about Liam's vested interest in the case. Liam's response was solemn, revealing a personal connection to the tragedy that had unfolded. Edward offered his condolences, his expression betraying a hint of disbelief at the revelation.

As Liam and Cathleen departed, Edward lingered by the door, watching them disappear into the night. With a heavy sigh, he reached for his phone, dialing a familiar number with a sense of resignation. "Hello, it's me. No, they know... And you know what you have to do now," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and regret before ending the call.