The Mechanic

Chapter Fifty - "Quench the Fire."

"The Mechanic"

Chapter Fifty

'Quench the Fire.'

Demi's POV

I was flying down the road, my heart nearly still, my skin growing cold. Ariana sat beside me in the truck, her voice screeching and squealing at the dangerous turns I made; all of the near collisions that happened. But I couldn't think about my safety. I couldn't think about hers. I couldn't think. I just knew I had to get to Joseph.

I had to get to him as fast as I could.

Because I knew something was wrong.

"Demi!" Ariana screamed as the tires skidded again; another car honked its horn.

"We're fine!" I shouted back, taking another sharp turn. "I have to get to him!"

"You're gonna kill us!"

"We're fine!"

We swerved again, this time burning rubber as I yanked the truck into the shop parking lot. The back wheels ripped around, putting us in a half-spin before I shoved the truck in park. We lurched forward at the abrupt stop, but I didn't hesitate to jump out of that vehicle, even though I'd left it running with both Ariana and the keys inside.

"Joseph!" I screamed at first, before my eyes even settled on the scene in front of me.

It was chaotic.

Dozens of people, reporters, onlookers; all watching the blaze of the fire tear through the shop. Firemen stood armed with hoses, attempting to tame the beast, but seemed to only anger it, as the fire grew wilder. The heat was blistering; even from where I stood behind the crowd, I could feel its tint on my skin.

And suddenly, as I watched the 'Kevin's Auto Shop' sign fall from the roof and crash to the ground in flames . . . my world began to slow.

The people around me became a blur as I forced my way past them; their voices were knotted and tangled, blocking one another so that everything and nothing was being said at once. I shoved my way through them all, screaming out for Joseph until my voice seemed to no longer be a part of me.

As the world became distorted around me, I turned my head, my eyes falling on Denise; wrapped in the arms of her husband. She was in shambles, nearly weak in the knees as he held her body against his.

I turned my head again, this time seeing Nicholas and Kevin frantically yelling at each other over what to do.

All at once, my heartbeat thudded in my ears.

The rest of the world deafened me, slicing out a loud ringing.

Because I knew he was inside.

"Joseph!" I knew I was screaming at the top of my lungs, the sound ripped through my throat painfully. But I couldn't hear it.

And I couldn't stop.

"Joseph!!"

What was once the lobby of the shop became a burning pile of rubble, as right then it collapsed with a thunderous noise.

"NO!" I screamed, the fire eating away at the wood until it became ashes. "Joseph!"

The garage was still standing, and I prayed with all of me that he would be found there; that he'd be saved. Immediately, I bolted in that direction, my feet seemed to be disappearing beneath me with each step. I felt so separated from myself; out of touch with my own body.