Gore.

Chapter 16~ Demise

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

I groaned. I heard beeps coming from my left side. Pain in my head welcomed me as I slowly opened my eyes and I adjusted my blurry vision. I am lying on a single bed and I realized that I'm inside a room that looks like a hospital. What just happened?

I removed the oxygen mask in my face and I breathed heavily. The heart rate monitor is still intact and there's a dextrose in my hand. I looked around to see that Emily is sleeping tirelessly on a couch. Her hair is in a messy bun and she wore a faded green shirt and a pants.

My head got painful again and flashbacks of memories came to my mind. They were people in the Festival that are running and screaming in pain. The tents, the artworks and many people were burning, their blood are coming out of their body as their flesh became ashes. It was scary and unforgettable. I couldn't unsee it anymore.

"Please help me!"

I remember a woman whose face was familiar was trapped in a fallen tent; her arms are burning. She was crying for help. Blood oozes down her eyes, she was screaming for me. Begging me to help her. But I didn't do anything. I just stayed on the ground looking at her in horror.

I put my hand in my eyes as I cry silently for what just happened. I know it was real. That is why I am here, right?

I blame myself for burning the painting, but there's a part of me that I am not guilty for causing a lot of innocent people to die. I know it was wrong, but the only thing I want to do is to let what I'm feeling right now. To just cry.

What if someone I know just died in the fire? Are my friends okay?

I sniffed and quickly wiped my eyes. That's when I saw Emily's eyes swiftly opened and she immediately looked at me. Her eyes has dark circles around and she quickly stood up almost stumbling and sat on a chair beside my bed.

"Oh my God, Arabella you're awake!"

She hugged me tightly and I did the same. Last thing I know is that we are both crying, we didn't even dared to speak a word. I don't know what will happen to my life if she ever leaves me. I don't know what to do if she's gone. She's one of the most special people in my life and I swear I will kill someone if I ever lose her.

The hug lasted for minutes and I pulled back, wiping my tears away. She did the same as she fixed her hair and suddenly held my hand. Even if I defy her sometimes, I still love my sister.

"I am so happy you're fine. I don't know what to do if you ever died in that fire." She told me while squeezing my hand.

"What happened after?" I whispered.

Her face looks so devastated, I don't know what happened after I passed out. I remember I couldn't breathe from the thick smoke and my eyes were becoming painful. Last thing I remember is that I was lying on a dirty ground trying to breathe air.

I don't even know if the woman I saw begging for help was saved or not. I don't even know if my friends are okay.

"A lot of people died. The fire was so big. I just know that nothing from the festival was left. But there are also people who survived. I really thought you were gone when I saw on the news that the Arts Festival was burning and almost half of the population out there were found dead." She told me and I listened carefully. "The rescuers saw you with Adam. He told me he found you lying on the ground unconscious, while fire were surrounding you. So he carried you safely. I don't know how to thank him. He just.. he just saved you."