Forever Dead (On Hold)

Chapter Fifteen

A/N: this chapter is written entirely in Alan's point of view. (Just so you know :) )

I collapsed on the floor, panting for the air around me, I was just lucky to escape. I began to cough up the black dust that coated my once healthy lungs. I felt sick and dizzy; all I wanted was to rest and when I wake up this will all be a dream but I knew it wasn’t. Kyle was right behind me, patting my back as more dust fell from my mouth. It was disgusting but it had to be done. I finally stood straight and walked towards the group. They cheered to see me and anticipated for the last two to emerge from the slowly collapsing shop.

I scanned the group and my eyes landed on a distressed Jane, tears fell down her face to see that her friend had not be lucky enough to live, I was glad that Kathryn was on my side, even if she does hate me. I turned to face the burning building. It struck me, where was Kat? She was right by my side, maybe she went back for Robin? I couldn’t risk anything. I began to run for my life, dashing from the group which was preoccupied with a crying teenager. Kyle was the only one to spot me, he shouted my way. Eventually everyone began to shout; it wasn’t the greatest plan but no matter how dangerous it didn’t stop their shouting.

I was only a few metres from the shop when a loud banging could be heard from in front. It was rapid and each hit became weaker and weaker. This was no zombie, someone was alive; barely. I cautiously ran up to the glass and a hand slid across the glass and the banging stopped. A weak sound, I assumed was speech mumbled through the thick glass. The hand didn’t move; I panicked. I looked to my right and found an old trolley, there was still shopping inside it and it looked to be rotting.

I nodded to myself and clutched at the handle, pushing it backwards so it came in line with the window. I slowly started walking, picking up speed as I shot through the air. I let go at the last moment and the trolley and the glass collided, showering the floor with specks of glass.

The flames were getting worse with the minute and I was practically blind from the ash cloud gathering around head height. I took careful steps towards where I had seen and heard the hand pounding against the wall. A crack in the window indicated they were near. I covered my mouth to protect me once more from the warm particles floating round me. My foot hit something on the floor, it wasn’t hard and it wasn’t soft either. It hurt to kick and it felt warm to touch. I crouched down through the cloud; my vision became increasingly better once I had gotten closer to the floor. I was shocked, to say the least to see what I did!

On the floor, was Kat: her long blonde hair spread out by her head, her skin was a deathly pale, but she still had a heart beat and her chest rose up and down with each beat, both progressively getting slower with each inhale of smoke. Her clothes were torn and singed. I couldn’t risk her death so I scooped her limp body into my arms, allowing her body to lie lifelessly in my arms. It was heart breaking to see someone in such state. The creaking of the building reminded me to leave. I did as my conscious told me and ran for the now open window.

Flames attacked me from each side, picking at the loose fabrics and attaching themselves in a warming hold. It was uncomfortable for me but I finally escaped with both mine and her lives. The cold air hit me like a brick wall and it burned the exposed skin. I saw the group looking to the floor shifting nervously on their feet. I chuckled lightly and it triggered a response from person to person (Except Jane). The smiles were heart-warming but as I got closer they saw what I held in my arms, that was something I could never remove from my memory.