A slow fall

Chapter 9 - Caleb

My friends are idiots; that is an indisputable fact.

We slunk our way to the back of the Church, ensuring we kept out of sight, discrete enough to not arouse suspicion from those who did catch a glimpse.

The door to the basement, exactly where Abbie said, lead into a dark, dusty room. The musty smell a motivator to get in and out. That was the plan.

We should've realised Marcus was the worst of us to be trusted with electrical appliances.

We couldn't have anticipated that the fuse box would catch on fire.

There was no fire detector in the basement, an oversight from the builders - though I guess no one expected three boys to be messing around down there for their own entertainment. There was also no fire extinguisher.

I acted fast, making my way up the stairs in search of what we needed. When I stepped into the kitchen all the lights were off. I guess our plan was somewhat successful.

A commotion in the main hall caught my attention for a second before I returned to the task at hand. My phone torch lit up the room as I went in search. There was an extinguisher in the kitchen, but after checking- and as expected - it was water based. I wasn't an idiot; I knew electrics and water shouldn't mix.

Still, I swore under my breath in annoyance before rummaging through the kitchen cupboards. It took longer than I hoped but eventually I came across what was needed. As I turned back, I grabbed the fire blanket off the wall before rushing downstairs.

Shane and Marcus were still jumping around in panic when I returned.

"Move out the way." I shouted. The fire was small but spreading. It provided the only source of light in the dingy basement, and we were drawn to it like moths to a flame.

I used the baking soda I'd taken from the kitchen in a first attempt to smother the flames. The fire was rising at an awkward angle, and I didn't want to get to close, but I needed to be in reaching distance. I could feel the heat against my skin as I stepped dangerously closer.

Once the baking soda hit the fire it began simmering. I stepped closer again, the heat less intense than before, and went in with the blanket. I'd never used one before, but I knew there was a risk of it fanning the flames instead of smothering them.

I swallowed nervously before placing - or essentially throwing - the blanket over the remaining fire. The basement was suddenly encased in darkness and for a moment all was silent. We waited with bated breath in fear the fire remained, but all seemed well.

That was until voices could be heard as the basement door opened. Torch lights shone down the stairs shortly followed by footsteps.

We could hide, I knew that, but someone had to have used the fire blanket. There was no denying someone had been here. Maybe they would believe it started without our involvement.

Once the torch light reached us any plans of escape vanished.

"Boys," Mary voice was loud in the silent room, "what's going on here? Why does it smell like burning?"

None of us spoke for a few moments, I wasn't sure I would be able too. I hadn't realised before, but my hands were shaking, the adrenaline wearing off.

"Well, the fuse box caught on fire." Shane said.

"On fire? Oh my, we need to call the fire brigade." Mary exclaimed, directing her attention to someone behind her. The person quickly retreated up the stairs to make the call.

"How did it happen?"

"We're not sure, it just sparked and then poof, a fire." Marcus wasn't lying I suppose, we weren't sure.