Wisps of smoke

Chapter 7: Smokey Haze

Derek's POV

We all stood outside the small storage room beaten and bloody. I had Meredith's limp body cradled in my arms. Her blood dripped onto the floor and all over my tee shirt. Mark had Alex in his arms who was just starting to wake up.
George was leaning heavily on Izzy and Lexie. The burns on his legs making it hard for him to walk. Lexie's left arm was wrapped in a sling and covered in wet towels. Christina looked petrified and was standing closed to Owen who had Arizona in his arms, she was still only semi conscious. Callie had one arm wrapped around Addison, who was still viciously coughing.

"Okay everyone." I said looking around at all of us, ranging from fine to well... Meredith.

"Put me down!" I turned my head sharply as Alex's voice rang out in the smoky air.

"Alex we have to go fast. You..."

"I'm fine!" Alex yelled jumping out of Marks grip. He winced slightly as the force from his jump went right into his shoulder. But he quickly straightened himself back up and looked at me.

"Are we going to get out of this hell hole or what?"

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Meredith's POV

The only thing I could feel was pain. It was washing over me. Surrounding me. Crashing into me again and again like waves in an ocean.

Then I saw it. It wasn't light or anything coming to save me. It was blackness. An easy pain free blackness.

Then I remembered Denny. How he could only get seconds with Izzy. Seconds.

I couldn't leave Derek or Christina. Or anyone at the hospital.

I started fighting. Trying to open my eyes. Trying to ignore the pain that ripped me apart inside out.

The I did it.

Light flooded my vision and smoke invaded my senses. I felt like screaming at every jolt but nothing could come out.

Everyone was moving. Running as best they could, trying to make it to the door before the flames engulfed it.

George hobbled painfully, completely leaning on Mark and Izzy. Lexie had Alex's good arm slung across her shoulder and he seemed to be grumbling about it. Addison was coughing hoarsely with Callie beside her. Owen had Arizona in his arms with Christina beside him. Trying hard to not look scared.

I vaguely wondered where Derek was. Then I heard him ask in a questioning voice.

"Meredith?"

I looked up only to see he was the person carrying me. His brow was creased and he looked worried about me. He also looked guilty.

"Meredith I need Mark to grab you for a minute. I need to test out the stairs."

No no no! I screamed at him inside my head. Nothing eligible came out of my mouth. Only a small whimper that made him look even more guilty.

"Derek let me check the stairs." Mark said letting go of George and stepping towards the door.

"I'll go." This voice was lighter than Derek and Marks, it was Lexie. "Listen I'm lighter than both of you. So it'll be easier for me."

"Lexie no! That is insane!" Mark protested stepping towards Lexie.

"Sorry Mark." Then she turned and walked onto the first step. It was fine. So we're the next few. Until the seventh step. She gently placed two feet onto it smiling at us. Then it broke.

She was jerked downwards. She spread her elbows out and managed to stop herself from falling too far.

"Lexie!" Mark ran down the steps ignoring our warnings. Well everyone else's warnings. My voice still didn't want to work.

He grabbed her elbows and started pulling her towards him when the floor shook again. He arms slipped out of his grip and Lexie barely managed to grab the floor with her fingers.

"Callie, Christina! Help Meredith." Derek quickly laid me into Callie's arms, then slowly walked down towards Mark and Lexie.

Grasping Lexie's right arm Mark and Derek slowly pulled her up. She collapsed into Marks arm crying. Sobbing.

"Okay everyone we need to move. This is urgent! We are going to move as quickly as possible. But be careful."

As everyone started to move Derek ran and scooped me up from Callie's arms. As he turned around my legs slammed into the wall.

"Sorry Mer." He said quickly as he started to move.

"About what?" I questioned. Looking at him slightly hazy.

"You.. I hit" Derek looked at me with a confused look on his face. Then he asked me. "Meredith... can you feel this?" Derek asked poking me on both my left and right legs.

I shook my head side to side. Wondering what the big deal was about. Why everyone suddenly stopped and looked at me like they were going to cry.

Then it hit me. I couldn't feel my legs...

Was I... paralyzed?

Sorry for another cliff hanger I promise to update soon! Comment any ideas for future chapters!