Allegedly Yours

Blast

Chapter 24

Elena's face was a storm of emotions as she stepped back, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. Aston, looking desperate and guilt-ridden, extended a hand towards her, trying to close the gap between them.

"Elena, please, I can explain," he pleaded, his voice strained with urgency.

Tears welled up in Elena's eyes as she took another step back, her face contorting in pain. "What will you explain, Aston, when I've seen everything with my own eyes?" Her voice cracked, a sob escaping her lips. "I trusted you, Aston. I thought you were sincere when you said you wanted a future with me, when you said you wanted more than just friendship."

Aston reached out again, managing to grasp her hand, but she yanked it away, her voice rising in anguish. "I TRUSTED YOU, DAMN IT!" Her eyes blazed with fury and sorrow. "And here you are, cheating on me with her. You played me well, Aston." She cast a seething glance at Nyrah, who stood off to the side, looking uncomfortable and guilty.

"But no worries, Aston. I'll never come into your life again." With that, Elena turned and fled, her sobs echoing in the air as Aston's desperate calls followed her, fading into the night.

Elena ran towards the campsite, her heart pounding and tears streaming down her face. She pushed through the crowd of dancing and drunken people, their laughter and music blurring into a distant haze. Her breath came in short, frantic gasps as she navigated the chaos, her mind fixed on escape.

Reaching the wooden hotel, she dashed inside and hurried down the dimly lit hallway. She found an empty room and quickly locked the door behind her. The sudden silence was overwhelming, and she collapsed onto the bed, her body shaking with sobs.

She cried hard, the weight of her shattered dreams pressing down on her. She had believed in a future with Aston, had trusted his words and intentions. Now, that hope lay in ruins, and the pain of betrayal cut deep.

"I was so wrong," she thought, her anguish giving way to fierce determination. "He's just like everyone else."

She wiped her tears away, her resolve hardening. Never again would she rely on anyone. Never again would she give someone the power to hurt her. Standing up, she felt a new strength rising within her, ready to face the world on her own terms.

As soon as Elena disappeared from his sight, Aston's anger erupted. He punched a tree branch repeatedly, his knuckles splitting open and blood dripping onto the ground. Nyrah stood in the corner, fear paralyzing her as she watched his violent outburst.

"A-Aston, please stop it," she pleaded, her voice trembling. When he didn't respond, she tentatively reached out and grabbed his hand, trying to pull him away from the tree. "We should find her."

Her words seemed to break through his rage. He stopped and turned to look at her, his eyes wild with fury and pain. "Are you satisfied now?" he half-yelled, his voice dripping with accusation.

Nyrah recoiled, confused and hurt. "This all happened because of you," he continued, his words cutting deep into her soul.

Feeling the weight of his blame, Nyrah stood frozen as Aston stormed off, yelling Elena's name desperately, searching for her in every corner. His frantic calls echoed through the night.

In that moment, Nyrah realized the futility of her hopes. Whatever she tried, it was clear now that she and Aston had no future together. Accepting the painful truth, she resolved to make things right. But to do that, she needed to find Elena and explain everything. She set off in the direction Elena had run, her heart heavy but resolute.

Just as Nyrah began to follow the source of the propane smell, a sudden, deafening explosion rocked the hotel. One of the partygoers outside had carelessly tossed a lit cigarette, and it had landed near a hidden propane leak.

The blast was instantaneous and devastating. Flames erupted, tearing through the wooden structure with a fierce roar. Windows shattered, and shards of glass flew through the air. The force of the explosion knocked Nyrah off her feet, her ears ringing as she hit the floor hard. Screams filled the air as the partygoers outside scattered in panic. Smoke and fire quickly engulfed the hotel, turning the once lively building into a fiery inferno.

Nyrah's fear for her life intensified when she heard a faint cry for help. "Someone, please help." Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized Elena's voice. Elena was in the hotel.

Summoning all her strength, Nyrah got up, only to be met by flames engulfing the corridor. Panic surged through her, but she pushed it down, determined to find Elena. She began checking the numerous rooms, each one a potential trap.

"Elena, where are you?" Nyrah shouted, but her voice was swallowed by the roar of the fire and the thick, suffocating smoke. The heat was unbearable, and she felt her strength waning. Then she heard it again—a faint noise, someone kicking and slapping a door.

Elena must be there, Nyrah thought, her resolve strengthening. She navigated through the flames, coughing violently as the smoke filled her lungs. Reaching the door, she called out, "Elena, are you inside?"

"Nyrah?" Elena's voice came from the other side, weak but unmistakable. "I got locked inside. The door won't open. Please help me."

Nyrah's eyes darted around the room, searching for something to break the door. Her gaze landed on an iron rod, previously used to stabilize a tent. She grabbed it, ignoring the searing heat that burned her hands, and began smashing the door's knob with all her might.

The heat and smoke were overwhelming. Nyrah's vision blurred, her eyes stinging and closing involuntarily. Each strike against the door drained more of her strength, but she pressed on, driven by the desperate need to save Elena.

Finally, the door gave way. Nyrah's vision dimmed as her body gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious as darkness consumed her. Nyrah had no idea what happened next.