Am I Dreaming?

Blood and Ash

I stare down at his limp form. A wave of panic flows through my body making my heart pound and my ears ring. I don't have time to think, I barely have time to act.
Adrenaline gives me the strength I lack and I slide one arm under Oliver's back while the other loops under his knees. I swing him onto my back and charge at the doors.
I hear crumbling. Looking up I notice the beam above the doors of my only escape bending.
It's going to fall.
I launch myself at the doors, angling my body, settings collision course for my shoulder against the glass. As soon as my shoulder makes contact, the glass shatters and I throw Oliver as hard as I can.
The beam above the door snaps upon my impact and caves in.
Right on top of me.

•••

The heat is overwhelming. Smoke clouds my vision and I find it hard to breathe. Splinters of wood press up against my skin at all angles and I have no choice but to pound against them.
My skin burns and body screams out in pain, but I keep pounding. A beam crumbles. Followed by another, and another. Slowly but all at once, I'm free.
Grace shouts and faces turn to stare. People rush over to me as I remain motionless, on my hands and knees. I see Oliver. He's on a stretcher being examined. Seeing him moves my arms. Seeing him makes them push myself to my feet. Seeing him makes my feet move, shakily making my way toward him. People grab at my shoulders and waist, screaming in protest, but I shrug their hands aside and continue on.
My vision begins to fade further and, just as I brush my fingers against Oliver's cheek, I see nothing but black. My breathing fails and I choke out air and ash. It's then that my legs give out and my head smashes against the pavement.

•••

I awake to beeping. The first thing I notice is how sore my hands are. I peer down at them and I'm startled at the severe difference between the white sheets and my beet red, peeling skin. I have bruises and cuts everywhere from the shattered door and collapsing school. And then...
Relief.
Oliver is sitting on the edge of my bed, his skin mildly better than mine, but still looking pretty bad. The positive; he's alive.
He catches my eye. Immediately his lips are on mine. He's been burned, but his lips are still as soft as the first time I'd kissed him. I never wanted to risk loosing him again.
We kissed more passionately than we ever had before, holding each other tight. Fatigue absorbed our senses and we drifted to sleep side by side. How we would be for a very long time.

OMG! One more chapter to go. Tomorrow night is the release of the epilogue. Afterwards, please keep your eyes open for Safari! I'm using a different posting method with that story, so be patient as I have no idea when the first chapter will be released. Many, many thanks to my loyal readers and keep reading!!😘