Perri and Him-the fifth book to series 'Perri and Me' about Perri Kiely

Chapter 1 Part 4

You know when you get that feeling when you just want to completely lose it?

Well...that's the kind of feeling I'm getting now. Well, fear and panic included.

I can't help but swear.

I try to get the attention of Perri, who is just staring at the burning building with a sort of confused look on his face. Like he can't believe anything that is happening.

"Pel..." I say, again and again. "What's happening? Is everyone okay? Why is there an ambulance outisde-"

"I don't know!" He exclaims, not even looking at me. I'm not fazed by this remark because I know that we're both scared.

Before I can say anything Pel grabs my hand and leads me in another direction. He's walking really quickly, and I'm struggling to keep up with his pace.

"Where are we going?..." I say, but my voice is drowned by the loud wail of a siren. Pel and I both look back to see yet another firetruck pulling up into the driveway. We watch intently as two firefighters jump out.

"Excuse me..." Perri says, still clutching my hand. "What's happening over here?"

The firefighter glances at Perri.

"And you are...?"

"Perri Kiely." Pel says. "I just want to know what's happening..."

"Quite clearly the building is burning down...we're trying to put out the fire..."

"Is everyone okay?" I interrupt.

The firefighter sighs.

"We think everyone is out...yes, everyone probably is..." He says.

That's when I see Ashley from a distance. He's standing with a group of people at the back of the building, and another firefighter is trying to keep them together.

Pel is just looking at the building.

"They're okay..." I say to Perri, hoping for his sake that he's not worrying.

He sighs, then walks me over to Ashley who is now calling both our names.

Pel let's go of me as soon as he sees all the boys. Why is he panicking so much?

"Ash..." Pel exclaims. "What the hell is going on? How did the fire start?"

"I don't know..." Ash says, looking at the building. I think he's starting to tear up.

"I'm so sorry..." Pel says, patting Ash on the back now.

I can't bear to see this place burn. I can't even imagine what it must be like for them. This isn't just some studio...this is Danceworks. It's like home.

"Don't be..." Ash says, exhaling. "There's nothing we can do about it now, but to wait until they put out the fire..."

Ash and Pel start to have a conversation, and then I look at everyone around me. Everyone is here, Danielle, the workers, and all the Diversity boys.

Wait, no.

I count them again. Ike, Tel, Warren, Ashley, Perri, Jordan and Sam.

Yeah, that's it right?

Crap, no!

"Mitch!" I call out, into thin air. "Where's Mitch, he's not here?"

Pel and Ash stop they're conversation. Everyone is looking in my direction now.

"Was he here this morning?" Ike says, franctically.

"No..." Sam says, worried.

"He is...he left this morning..." Kim says, walking in my direction.