The Waking

Chapter III

Chapter III

     "You look beautiful tonight," I said, as we neared the school. "Not that you don't every night..."

     She grinned, giggling.

     "You're a hopeless romantic, Zach Dawson," she laughed, "And thank you, that means a lot."

     When we arrived at the school, I opened the door for Brianna, and when we walked inside, we were greeted by halls completely packed with parents and students that had come to watch the big game. We found seats near the top of the brown stands, sitting right next to each other, because of the overcrowdedness of the gym. The game started, and our team scored over and over again. By the end of the second quarter, the score was 90 to 65.

     "I'm going to the washroom," Brianna said, as she stood up, "I'll be right back"

     The third quarter started with a quick three points for our team. The opposing team called a timeout, and the whole gym went silent. The only sound in the room was the squeaking of the shoes of the players, and the hushed voices of the coaches. But suddenly, the silence was broken. By a blood curling scream.

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     "Fire! Fire in the library!" An unknown voice shouted from the hallway. Probably the librarian, she would have been the only teacher not in the gym for the game. As soon as the shock settled within the crowd, panic spread, well, like wildfire.

     Students and parents ran together toward the exits, nearly trampling each other and causing absolute pandemonium. They ran like ants, climbing over obstacles, frantically trying to avoid being squashed, while also trying to make headway to the doors.

     I tried to turn the other way, to run toward the library, and toward Brianna. The washrooms were near the library, which meant she was in danger. Just as I was about to run out the door to the gym, one of the coaches grabbed my right arm, and yanked me towards him.

     "Where do you think you're going, Dawson?" He shouted into my ear. "You can't go that way. It ain't safe!"

     "I have to go." I pleaded. "Brianna Masters is in the washroom. I have to be sure she gets out safely."

     Before he could answer, I tore myself from his grip, dashing and dodging through the pack of bodies. I sprinted through the halls, as the air became much thicker and hotter. Sweat began to tickle the back of my neck as I began to see flames licking the sides of the walls, melting the lockers and charring the floor. I stopped dead in my tracks in front of the girls' washroom. In front of me, blocking my path, was a wall of pure fire.

     "Brianna!" I called. "Are you okay?"

     No answer. Not good.

     I yanked off my shirt, and tied it around my face, using it as a smoke mask. I closed my eyes and sprinted through the fire. The red-hot flames licked at my clothes and flesh, singing the hairs on the backs of my arms and causing me to have to blink tears out of my eyes.

     Once on the other side, I scanned the entire room. The toilet stalls were a heap of charred wood, and the water from the sprinkler system covered the floor. I didn't see Brianna anywhere, and began to panic. But before I could lose it completely, I saw the end of her blonde ponytail, under the wreckage of the broken stalls. I leapt to the fallen wood, and found Brianna, pinned under two flaming beams, flat on her back. Without thinking twice, I dug my hands under the fallen beams, and lifted with all my might.

     Surprisingly, I lifted them with ease, freeing Brianna. I dropped the beams a few feet away, and scooped her up into my arms. I sprinted through the fire once again, and ran as fast as my legs would carry the two of us down the burning hallway. Fueled by adrenaline, I ran faster than I ever had before, even with a limp female body in my arms.