Little Roe's Trouble (Peaky Blinders)

The fire

(Tommy's P.O.V.)
As soon as that panicked voice called out his warning I turned my head to the stables filled with horses. Fear filling my veins as I basically jolted to the closest horse. As I fidget with the leadrope to untie the panicking horse, I saw something move from the corner of my eye. "Roe!? Ansel!?" I loudly exclaimed with fear seeing the two dart out from behind hay bales. Each running to get the closest horses aswell. Ansel to his mare Minny and Roe to the gelding she stole. We began to untie the horses, and try to lead them out. Ansel and Roe managed to lead their animals out their stalls with complete ease while I had trouble with mine. I tried to drag him out of the stall by force, of course that was no use. I was in such a hurry and so frightened myself that I frightened him more. The fresh air that had come in through the open barn door made it easier to breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, the flames were playing round the trapdoor, and the roaring overhead was dreadful. "Come on, boy" I tried coaxing the poor horse, "it is time for us to be off". Still no use, the horse refused to walk. I let go of the rope and pulled my coat off, before tying it lightly over the horse's eyes. Patting and coaxing I finally was able to lead the horse out the stable, safe into the yard. I slipped the coat off his head and shouted "Here somebody! take this horse!". A tall, broad man stepped forward and took the horse away. I turned on my heel and spun around to try and find Roe and Ansel. Surrounding me was much confusion; horses being brought out of other stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and sheds, lest the flames should spread further. On the other side the yard windows were thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts of things. I spun arround so much that I nearly became dizzy. But finally, I saw them. A sigh of relieve filled my lungs as I saw the two of them standing with one another and the animals they lead out. My feet quickly carried me towards them. Roe wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed tightly, immediatly relaxing as I cradled her head. I thanked God that she was okay. She pulled away and I looked at Ansel and gripped his shoulder in a comforting manner and smiled softly. Glad he was alright too. I turned to fix my eye on the stable door, where the smoke poured out thicker than ever, and I could see flashes of red light. Ansel suddenly began to have trouble with Minny. The small fell pony was tugging at the rope, stomping the ground. Then she set up a shrill whinny directed to the burning stable. "You're alright, girl" Ansel said in Romani, trying to calm her down. But it was no use, the pony kept on whinnying. Then, an all to familiar whinny followed suit. Calling out to Minny, clearly for help. Calling out for the beloved friend that was the fell pony. Instantly I turned to Roelynn, who also recognized the call - Blue Eye. "Roe! No!" I called out as I tried to grab her as she ran off. "Roe!" I screamed running after her as she darted into the burning stable for Blue-Eye. Right after Roe dissapeared into the smoke, three horses ran out the stable, knocking me over and nearly trampling me. I got up again to follow my kid inside, but was grabbed by someone. They refused to let me go after Roelynn. No matter how hard I fought, begged, screamed or even threatened. It was no use, they kept on pushing me back. I looked back at the stable "Roe! Roelynn! Are you there!?" I desperatly called out. There was no answer. I kept trying to break free from their grasps, but instantly stopped when I heard a crash of something falling in the stable. My eyes locked on the stable door, my heart pounding, I was frozen to my spot. I was breathing loudly and frantically. My ears drowned out every other sounds surrounding me. Even Ansel's screams for Roelynn, didn't even reach my ears. Then there was that dreadful sound - the shrieks of poor horses that were still there, burning to death in the stable-it was very terrible! My mind instantly feared for Roe. Was she also screaming in pain and terror, was I just not able to hear it? I felt helpless as the men kept refusing to let me go. My screams carried out over the yard in a shrill voice. I had done so very loudly that I was damaging my vocal cords. "Roe!" I yelled in distress, my voice hoarse. The flames grew due to recieving alot of oxygen from outside. I coughed because of the thick smoke as I tried to see through it. Fear and panic consumed me more and I managed to get free from the strangers their grip. I stumbled slughtly as I ran to the door to entre it. Coughing because of the smoke as I neared. Then in a moment, the doorway collapsed and I had to skid across the ground to stop myself. My breathing picked up, my eyes scanning quickly in search of a way in. Nothing. Then I realised. If there was no way in, then..... then there was no way out. "No!" I screamed in anger and neared the collapsed doorway. In a desperate attempt to open it somehow, "No! No! No!" I called out angry as I tried moving a piece of burned wood "fuck" cursing as I burned myself in the process. It was no use, I was unable to do anything. My voice echoed loudly through the yard as the dreadfull, painfull cry left my throat.

Published: 3rd of July 2024