The soft glow of the lab's overhead lights bathed the room in a warm hue, illuminating the chaos of half-finished projects and scattered tools. Rudi leaned back in her chair, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she surveyed the mess they'd made during another late-night brainstorming session. Across the cluttered table, Tadashi Hamada was intently focused on his latest prototype, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Hey," Rudi said, breaking the silence, "maybe we should call it a night? It's already past midnight."
Tadashi looked up, his dark hair slightly tousled, a faint smile breaking through his seriousness. "Just a few more adjustments, Rudi. I want to make sure this works before we show it to everyone."
Rudi couldn't help but admire Tadashi's dedication. "You know they're going to love it no matter what, right? You're a genius. Besides, we've been working all week. You need some rest."
Tadashi chuckled softly. "Rest is for the weak," he teased, his voice light, but the shadows under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion.
Rudi leaned closer, a playful glint in her eyes. "And you, Mr. Genius, are going to turn into a zombie if you keep this up."
With a mock-serious expression, Tadashi replied, "I'd be a pretty cute zombie, don't you think?"
Rudi laughed, the sound warm and rich, filling the space between them. "Adorable, yes. But let's not test that theory, okay? How about we take a break? I could use some coffee. You can't work magic on an empty stomach."
Relenting, Tadashi set down his tools. "Alright, coffee it is. But only if you promise to help me with the adjustments after."
"Deal," Rudi said, standing and stretching. She made her way to the coffee machine, a familiar rhythm of their routine grounding her in the moment.
As the coffee brewed, the atmosphere shifted subtly. An alarm blared in the distance, faint but growing louder. Rudi exchanged a concerned glance with Tadashi, who immediately straightened, sensing the urgency in the air.
"Stay here," Tadashi said, his tone sharp. "I'll check it out."
Before Rudi could protest, Tadashi slipped out of the lab. Rudi watched him go, anxiety tightening in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling.
Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last. Just as Rudi was about to follow, Tadashi burst back through the door, his face pale.
"Rudi, we have to go! The building's on fire! I think it started in the robotics lab!"
Panic surged through Rudi. "What about Professor Callaghan? He's still in there!"
"I don't know, but we can't wait!" Tadashi's voice was urgent, but there was a fire in his eyes—determination.
"I'm not leaving without him," Rudi insisted, heart racing.
Tadashi hesitated, torn. "Rudi, it's dangerous! We need to evacuate!"
Rudi grabbed Tadashi's arm, grounding him. "I won't let anyone get left behind. We have to find him."
Tadashi's expression shifted, a blend of fear and respect. "Okay, but we stick together. Let's go!"
Together, they dashed through the chaotic hallways, the acrid smell of smoke filling their lungs. The sound of the alarm grew louder, blending with the frantic cries of students and faculty evacuating. Rudi's heart raced, but she pushed forward, driven by the need to help.
As they neared the robotics lab, the heat intensified. Flames licked the edges of the doorframe, and Rudi's stomach dropped. "Tadashi, we have to go back!"
But Tadashi had already moved closer, peering through the doorway. "I can't see him. Callaghan might be trapped inside."
"Are you crazy? We can't go in there!" Rudi shouted, but Tadashi's resolve was unyielding.
"Stay here. I'll go check!" Tadashi called over the roar of the flames.
"Wait—Tadashi, no!" Rudi lunged forward, but it was too late. Tadashi had already disappeared into the inferno, the fiery light swallowing him whole.
Rudi's heart raced, panic flooding her veins. She could hear the crackling of the flames, the roar of the fire growing louder. She took a step forward, hesitating at the threshold of danger, fear gripping her.
"Tadashi!" She shouted, voice cracking. "Please be okay!"
Time stretched as Rudi stood there, torn between her instincts and the reality of the fire raging behind her. She could barely breathe, the smoke creeping closer, and dread clawed at her chest.
The seconds felt like hours. Just as Rudi was about to make a desperate move into the blaze, she heard a muffled shout from within.
"Rudi! I found him!"
Tadashi's voice! But then, a loud crash echoed, followed by an explosion of flames bursting from the lab. Rudi staggered back, eyes wide with horror.
"Tadashi!" She screamed, desperately searching for any sign of him.
Smoke billowed around her, and Rudi could only stand frozen, dread wrapping around her heart like a vice. The sound of the flames roared louder, and the world around her blurred, her vision narrowing in on the fiery entrance.
"Please, come back..." she whispered, knowing that the fate of her beloved Tadashi—and the professor—hung in the balance.
End of chapter.
