The Fire Burns Bright

A Breathless Escape

I'm changing the hospital from the previous chapters to be a small clinic owned by Matt. It's called Matt's Clinic.

Kate's P.O.V

I'm scared to death. Not just of the creatures chasing us but of the black bubbles that are growing on under my shoulder. I fear that these will kill me. I can hardly keep moving forward. My head throbs with each step I take.  The headache reminds me of Jacob and thinking of him makes my heart hurt. This headache is probably nothing compared to his.  He most likely has a concussion and his arm has a bullet in it. 

But, I can't think of that. I need to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. If I don't the screechers will catch up with us. Then, it'll be the end. 

Don't think about that, I tell myself, try to swallow the lump in my throat. I don't want to cry but I don't have time. We need to run but I choke on the lump in my throat and tears flood my eyes. 

We're not going to make it. 

Behind us, I can hear the quick, rhythmic steps of the Plague Doctors and the long strides of the screechers. They're getting closer and I know we weren't moving fast enough to get away. We all stumble forward frantically; my father half carrying Jacob, my mother dragging Emma Micheal and I, and Annie hurrying forward a few feet ahead of us. 

As I watch her, Annie stumbles but continues to move forward. Then, she stops and leans against a tree. I can hear her gasping for air. She's wheezing, trying desperately to regain her breath. 

At that moment, I know we won't make it. Annie slumps forward against the tree and falls to her knees on the roots. As Annie crumples to the ground, I hear a shout from beside me and Jacob rushes forward. He stumbles like a drunk man (oops, bad simile) but he makes it to his little sisters side. He falls to his knees next to her and folds her protectively into his arms. 

"It's okay," I hear him tell her, "Just relax. I'm here. It's alright." 

She relaxes into him, her breathing becoming slightly less panicked and not as wheezy. But it's then I realize, It's not alright. It's not aright at all because just then I hear a screecher shriek. It was so close I could feel it in my bones. Cold fear gripped my heart, squeezing like ice cold hands. There's no escape now. The hoard of screechers and plague doctors is practically on top of us now. There's only one way to get away. I know what I must do. 

"Everyone, hold hands!" I shout. We've reached the tree where Jacob is trying rather unsuccessfully to stand up with Annie. 

Once everyone is holding hands, I focus deep inside myself. I focus on the hospital. We need to get to Matt's Clinic. If we get there we'll be safe. I picture Matt's face. In my mind, I can see his sandy blond hair, ocean blue eyes and gentle smile. "Take us to Matt's Clinic," I tell the magic within me. I feel a familiar twisting and whirling in my gut and then everything goes black. 

No more school means I should update. XD