On The Verge

Chapter 18- Gasoline

——————Maddie——————

⠀⠀After school that day, we planned to meet up at Nia's house to discuss our next move in relation to Liza's doings.

⠀⠀"Where's Chloe?" I asked as I entered Nia's room. The blonde was no where to be found.

⠀⠀"I texted her to come, she didn't answer." Kendall shrugged quietly.

⠀⠀Shaking my head, I concluded that she was probably just torn up about Josh's disappearance. Her and Josh had been dating for quite some time— I couldn't imagine how nerve-racking it would be to lose someone who meant so much to me. I couldn't blame her for being worried, Josh wasn't the type to suddenly go missing.

⠀⠀"So," Nia started as soon as we were seated down on her blue duvet. "Liza escaped the Sanitarium, Josh is missing. That's what we know, now what do we do?"

⠀⠀I looked down at the ground, shaking my head ever so slightly. There was a silent moment, no one knew what to say. No one knew what we should do to end this nightmare that was worsening by the day.

⠀⠀"I'm gonna go get us some snacks." I offered in an attempt to break the silence. I walked down the stairs into Nia's familiar kitchen just to find an odd scent. The kitchen usually smelt of fresh baking, now it smelt strong and pungent, the unfamiliar smell stinging my nostrils. Footsteps echoed down the stairs as the rest of the girls joined me.

⠀⠀"What's taking so long?" Nia asked in annoyance.

"Do you smell that?" I said, ignoring her question. "It smells like—"

⠀⠀I watched her take a deep breath as her eyes widened.

⠀⠀"Gasoline." She finished my sentence.

⠀⠀Suddenly, a loud pop echoed throughout the house. I stood stock still in shock as a wave of unbearable heat washed over my terrified body. Within seconds, orange and yellow flames danced around us and smoke had replaced whatever air had been in the house. My lungs burned along with the house as I struggled to force the smouldering air into my system.

⠀⠀I began to stumble instinctively towards the door, my muscles screaming for oxygen as the smoke stung my watering eyes. A series of crackles and pops sounded throughout the home. Flame surrounded us as we groped our way towards the door which symbolically represented safety. The floor beneath my feet was blisteringly hot, giving me the impression of walking on hot coals. The skin that covered my body burned with an immeasurable pain. Cloudy tears streamed from my eyes, both as a result of fear and the inexorably increasing heat of the fire.

⠀⠀The short distance to the front door was seemingly endless. Black spots had began to form on the extremities of my field of vision as I reached my destination. As I threw myself against the heavy wooden door, the thought of fresh air motivated me; giving me strength. My shoulder made contact with the door in an attempt to open it. Pain seared through my body yet the door determinedly refused to open.

⠀⠀The heat in the house was rising by the second, and my desperation was growing along side the temperature. I was desperate— my lungs craving nothing more than oxygen. Burning pieces of ceiling rained down around us, causing a sharp scream from Kendall as one scorched the flesh on her shoulder. My mind was muddled by the urgency of the situation and I reached out and grabbed ahold of the doorknob, withdrawing my hand instantly with a shriek. The palm of my hand was immediately a canvas of deep burns; forming blisters that broke open and bled. The smell of burnt flesh filled the smokey air.

⠀⠀I knew our only hope of survival would be to open the door, there was no other escape from this burning hell. Clenching my teeth, I mustered up enough courage to grit and bear the pain as I replaced my hand on the knob. Pain rippled through my arm, pins and needles poking into the skin on my palm as the burns deepened. The pain was nearly unbearable yet I wasted no time in turning the knob.

⠀⠀To my utter dismay the knob would not budge, thus keeping the door clamped shut. The door was locked. I crumpled against the door, unable to force my oxygen deprived body to function with the slightest normality. Sparks were thrown at me from the barrier of flame that surrounded me yet my senses were fading— the black dots began to take over more and more of my vision as my muscles weakened. I felt the sparks burn their way through my clothing before smouldering against my skin.