✦ . The first of the fallen . ✦

Chapter - 4 . The fire

Cicely's POV

The sound of coughing filled my ears as I darted through the black smoke surrounding me. I held my arm over my mouth and nose, attempting to block any smoke trying to enter my lungs. People shoved past me, eager to find an exit.

Just as I could see an opening towards fresh air I was shoved aside, causing me to lose my balance and fall onto my knees. To break my fall I caught myself with both my arms, left defenseless the smoke began to invade my lungs, causing me to violently cough.

As I sat there on the ground, coughing and choking for air all I could think about was Orion.

Did it work? Is he safe? Surely the fire was a good enough distraction... Right?

I could feel my body going limp as I fell onto my side, bringing my knees up to my chest as I gasped for air, only to be met with more smoke.

Could this be it? My final moments? I hadn't even known if Orion was still alive. Perhaps this was meant to be.

In an attempt to stop the trial and save Orion by creating a fire I was too late, word spread so lazily by the time it reached the ears of the council Orion's head was already hung up on their trophy wall. Maybe this was it, I'm meant to die from my horribly wrong plans. If only people had evacuated faster, even as the majority did so many were still left inside the building.

For all I know, I may not be the only victim this fire claims.

I could feel my consciousness slip from me, I tried to hold onto it as long as I could but to no avail, the black smoke around me grew darker and darker till I couldn't even hear the distant muffled screams of my name.

Rin?

My eyes sprung open, the first thing I saw was the stars, the gorgeous stars. The next was the ground, I had gained consciousness and immediately shoved myself onto my feet to vomit into a nearby bucket.

I continued to projectile vomit until I could feel my entire stomach emptying. I pulled away, gasping for air before finally realizing the people surrounding me.

My friends from the academy were helping me and the others that had been a part of the plan. I dropped to my knees again, shaking violently as I tried to compose myself.

"What's happening? Where are we?" I choked out, desperate for answers.

"Cicely, relax. We're in the alleyway behind the hospital." Mylo hurried past the group of people, dropping down to me as he held a large metal against my hand. He helped me gain a grasp over it before undoing the cap and guiding it towards my mouth.

I let his hands guide mine, the moment fresh water entered my mouth I eagerly raised the bottle to get more. I chugged the water completely till the entire bottle was empty. Mylo took it away as I finished it before leaning back, grabbing a towel and going to wipe my face.

"You passed out in the fire, we pulled you out just in time to help you." Mylo informed me. He gently wiped my face clean at a slow pace, the towel was warm and damp which in a way was comforting.

"I don't understand, why are we not in the hospital?" I asked hoarsely. My voice was raspy, my throat felt like it was on fire every time I spoke.

Mylo directed me to speak in short sentences to not tire out my throat before he answered. "We can't go into the hospital, they'll register us and they'll know we were in the building when it blew up. It'll save the council a shit ton of time to know it was us, we have to keep a low cover for now." He informed me, glancing over at the others who were in terrible shape.

"Don't worry, a doctor has been helping us from the inside. We told her about the plan and she agreed to help without telling anyone. That's why we're back here and not in our dorms, we have to get fixed up before we go back." Keyla explained.