The Colonial Heart ✓ (Editing)

Chapter 42

                                A M A

Thema and I bolted into the inferno, the heat immediately licking our skin like ravenous flames. The air was thick with acrid smoke, choking our lungs with every labored breath. Embers crackled and popped around us, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

As we rushed through the flames consuming the corridor, the wooden floor creaked beneath our feet like an ancient ship in a storm. Thema's hands began to tremble in fear, her fingers slipping from my grasp. I tightened my grip, my palm slick with sweat.

The heat was a palpable force, a crushing weight that threatened to suffocate and burn us.

Sweat dripped from my eyebrows, mixing with the soot and grim on my face. "We are almost there, worry not!" I shouted above the roar of the fire, my voice hoarse from the thick grey smoke.

The flames danced around us, a maddening vortex of red and orange. Sparks flew like fire flies, Illuminating the dark recesses of the corridor.

A huge piece of the ceiling fell with a loud crash, nearly collapsing on us, missing us by a mere inch. Its crashing echo sent shivers running  up and down our spines. Thema's eyes widened, terror etched on her soot-stained face. I pulled her closer, my heart racing with adrenaline and fear.

We stumbled out of the corridor, our gaze locking onto the exit door's metal handle. For a fleeting moment, hope flickered like a candle flame.
With haste, we began to run toward the door, each step fueling our growing sense of victory.

But fate, being the cruel substance that it is, crushed our optimism. A flaming cabinet toppled, slamming against the door and blocking our only escape. The wooden frame crackled, engulfed by hungry flames that licked the air with their fiery tongues. Thema's gasp echoing mine, our breaths synchronized in terror.

Our eyes met, desperation and fear mirrored in each other's gaze like reflections in a dark pool.

"What ever will we do?" Thema's voice trembled, barely audible above the inferno's deafening roar.

I scanned our surroundings, my mind racing for an alternative escape. The window? Too high. The adjacent room? Already ablaze, it's doorway a one way portal to the kingdom of Hades.

Thema's grip on my hand tightened. "We can't give up, not when we are so close to victory" she whispered, her determination burning brighter than the flames around us.

I nodded, resolve hardening within me. "We will find a way."

My heart pounded in my chest, fear escalating with each passing second. Lighting the house on fire to burn Sir Michael's corpse now seemed like a reckless act in which I was slowly beginning to regret but I pushed aside the doubt that lingered in my mind and sprang into action. I let go of Thema's hand and rushed toward the fallen cabinet, it's burning wood crackling ominously like a predator's snarl.

With a deep breath, I grasped the scorching wood, ignoring the searing pain that shot through my palms like molten lava. I pushed with all my might, my hands screaming in protest as blisters began to form and burst. The acrid smell of burning wood lingering with the smell of charred flesh filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. My adrenaline rush growing by the second. After what seemed to be an eternity, finally, I managed to create a narrow gap, just enough space for us to squeeze through.

I signaled to Thema to exit first, her well being and safety being my first priority at the moment. She swiftly obliged, twisting and turning to navigate the tight opening. Once she was clear and safe, I followed, my movements slightly hindered by the cramped space.

Disaster struck when the hem of my skirt snagged on a loose nail. I yanked at the cotton fabric but it refused to let loose. I yanked at it once more with an increased force, the fabric finally tearing with a loud harsh rip. With a surge of relief, I emerged from the burning house, gasping for air.

I coughed violently, expelling the acrid smoke from my lungs, before collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. The earth beneath me felt cool and damp, a welcome respite from the heat.

Through blurred vision, I saw a crowd gathering around Thema and i, their faces etched with concern. British soldiers wielding buckets of water pushed through the throng, racing to extinguish the flames. The water's splash and hiss created an oddly soothing melody amidst the chaos that danced around us. My gaze faltered, black dots swirling across my vision as sounds grew muffled.

The last sound I heard was Thema's strained voice, responding to a soldier's urgent questioning. Though her words were indistinguishable, the desperation in her tone was unmistakable. I hoped she would withstand the interrogation, that she would remain safe.

As my strength waned, I slumped to the ground, the cold earth beneath me. My vision blurred, darkness encroaching like a shroud. I fought to stay awake, to protect Thema. I did not want her to deal with the soldiers alone, I wanted to help her but exhaustion claimed me.

My eyelids drooped, and I lost all consciousness, the chaotic silence around me fading into a peaceful silence.

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Thank you so much for reading, I found it a bit hard to write this chapter, mainly because my word count was not reaching a number that I was satisfied with and to be honest I am still not satisfied, you might find it is a bit short but I am terribly sorry for that but I promise the next chapter will be longer. Anyhoo, have a great day or night!

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