A Dream

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"Stay with me! Don't you dare close your eyes!" Cassandra shouted as she carried Jennifer, her breaths sharp and desperate.

Cassandra was running blind, smoke stinging her eyes, her heart pounding. She could barely see, but she could feel the heat of the fire at her back, driving her forward.

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Meanwhile, Olivia, who had been in the lead, had fallen behind. Her vision blurred, the strain of the run catching up with her. Her foot caught on a rock, and she crashed to the ground, hitting her head hard.

"Olivia!" Evelyn cried, rushing back to her friend's side. She could see the edge of the forest just ahead, the promise of safety only a few meters away, but her strength was failing her.

She could barely keep her eyes open as she tried to lift Olivia.

Behind her, Cassandra's footsteps grew louder.

"Evie, go!" Cassandra shouted hoarsely. "We're not far! Run!"

Evelyn's body seemed to move on its own as adrenaline coursed through her veins. She managed to drape Olivia's arm around her shoulders, lifting her up despite the exhaustion pulling at her muscles.

With a burst of strength, Evelyn lifted Olivia and hobbled toward the forest's edge. The ground was slick, and slipping was inevitable, but they pressed on, determined to make it out.

As they neared the edge of the forest, the sound of helicopters overhead and the blaring of sirens filled the air.

Rain began to pour, helping to douse the flames, but it was too little too late. The damage had already been done.

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"Ground control, this is A177, we have visual on four teenagers. Possible multiple injuries inflicted. Please send immediate backup to the north exits. Over." The pilot's voice crackled through the comms.

The helicopter hovered overhead, the spotlight shining down on the teens as they limped toward safety.

"This is ground control to A177, copy that. Sending paramedics to the north exits. Keep an eye on them. Over."

The helicopter's spotlight followed the teens as they emerged from the woods, and the sound of the blades overhead was deafening.

Paramedics rushed forward to meet them, and as they were escorted away, the fire continued to rage in the background.

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But just as they thought they were safe, two police officers stepped into their path, their faces grim.

"Are you kids armed?" one officer barked, his hand resting on the handle of a taser. His partner moved forward with handcuffs.

"No! We didn't do anything!" Evelyn shouted, stepping forward to explain. "It was Mrs. Smith! She—she set the fire!"

Before she could say anything more, a sharp pain seared through her chest. The officer had tased her, dropping her to the ground with a cry of pain.

Cassandra, standing helplessly nearby, watched as her friends were taken away. The flashing blue and red lights cast eerie shadows on the ground.

The Loop (Book 2)Where stories live. Discover now