Chasing Sunsets

The most lethargic Hopeful Optimist-Amber

The first thing I notice when I wake up is that it's cold. And I'm lying on a hard textured surface that digs into my back with an oxygen mask over my face. I sit up, head spinning as shiver and take in a deep breath which sends me into a fit of coughing. It hurts and I wince every time. My limbs feel really heavy too. "Easy now, you don't want to damage yourself more." Says a masculine voice. "Where am I?" I croak. The man, a middle aged fireman greying at the temples pats me on the back gently. "Outside the school, you're lucky I got you outta there in time. Hell of an explosion for a Bunsen burner. But I do suppose you were using Methane." He stops. "Were there any more people in the building?" I shrug unwilling to speak in fear of another painful coughing fit. Esther.Suddenly worry twists inside me as I think of Kayla, Esther,Katy and Miss Edwards and I bring myself to speak to the man. I feel around my face that still has wet tears on and pull off the mask. "Sir?" I croak quietly. The man has his head bent over his phone, typing swiftly with nimble fingers whilst sitting crosslegged on the tarmac. "Sir?" I try again, a little louder.
"Hmmm?"
"Have you seen three girls, they're quite tall. There's a brunette about five ft..." I trail off when it hits me. How would he know? There are tons of brown haired people in this school. "Nevermind." I chew on my lip willing myself to stay calm and not to burst into tears. Breathe. Ow. Actually don't breathe too hard because it hurts. They're probably around here somewhere.... I glance at the fireman and get unsteadily to my feet. "Can I look around?" He hesitates but waves me away tapping on his phone. I stumble and catch myself, trying to recognise where I was. "Oi! Just be careful and don't get in the way of the police." I hear the fireman shout. I turn, give him a thumbs up and mumble a thanks even though I know he won't be able to hear me. Fire alarms are screaming, and there are millions of students and teachers milling about looking lost. I crane my neck, searching for Kayla, a flash of long brown hair or a lilting voice shouting my name maybe. Nothing. Kayla where are you?! There's an ambulance parked on the AstroTurf with a line of students getting ready to be bandaged up. Thinking of which there's a giant plaster on my forehead just hidden by my fringe and a bandage around my wrist but I didn't feel any pain. I find another plaster on my left knee and prod it. I prepare to hiss in pain but feel only numbness. Actually I felt I bit floaty. They probably drugged me. I spot the maths block and then the science block next to it. It was pouring black smoke from windows and doors and a there was cloud of ash and dust curling around the building. Firemen were attacking the flames with a giant hose. How could it have been that bad? I must've only been unconscious for a little while... I survey the scene at the entrance of the science block, there are a few students around here too searching anxiously through the smoke for siblings, cousins and friends. I join the small group restricted by police tape and police themselves. Stumbling and dragging my heavy limbs right to a police, gathering up courage and air to speak and try not to croak at the man. "Ex-excuse me sir?" The man frowns down at me. "Um have you seen anybody with long brown hair come out? She's quite tall, actually maybe one and a half heads taller..." I say awkwardly. The man doesn't respond, just blinks at her. "Hello?" I wave my hand in front of his face before I can stop myself and then I hear a voice. Kayla's. "AMBER" I whip my head round searching for that face so familiar to me. She's coming out of the building's main entrance with Esther and her crush Bailey. Firemen are supporting them and I scream her name, my voice breaking midway and my throat hurts so much but I don't care because she's there. My best friend two metres straight in front of me. I duck under the police tape and rush forward ignoring the policeman's objections and attempts to pull me back. I don't think I even realise that it's the same guy that was ignoring me a minute ago. I'm too busy rushing to Kayla, Esther, Bailey and the firemen who I pull into a giant group hug because I'm so happy they're alive and everyone should celebrate. I even pull in a fireman who struggles out after a few seconds laughing at my enthusiasm. "Hey-woah..." I hear Bailey say as we all fall together. His face is tomato red. "AmberI'msogladyou'reokay!" Kayla gushes. I nod my head and it spins so I stop. I look at Esther and she's smiling at me, so's Bailey, he's grinning ruefully and I hope Kayla's enjoying this precious moment with her crush. The firemen, police and students just watch us letting us savour the moment while we stand there in a circle, arms around each other supporting each other until Bailey's friends see him and he joins them, breaking the circle. He waves to us before leaving and joining the rest of the 'popular' people. Kayla's face suddenly grows serious and less frantic. "Oh my god Esther's hurt we gotta treat the burns! Have you seen Katy and Miss E?!" And then it dawns on me. Katy and Miss Edwards aren't here. "They left the classroom before us and Katy was unconcious! Oh my god. Oh my god." Kayla repeats. There's a moment where we just stare at each other. Worry clenches my stomach again. "Uh-um okay let's get Esther bandaged up first, lets look for them, we've gotta tell someone!" I mumble/croak. Esther makes a meek objection saying that finding Miss E and Katy are more important but she looks really pale and her legs are drenched in blood and gore. The smell of blood is so strong that I don't know how I missed it when we were hugging. I friendly fireman comes and takes Esther away to be bandaged, carrying her whilst cradling her head gently on his shoulder. We watch worriedly as shes swept away in the fireman's arms looking as light as a rag doll. We turn back and Kayla starts talking to an important looking police officer when the 'in case of emergency exit' side door opens and Miss Edwards and Katy fall out of in a heap with smoke pressing out around them. "Help!" Miss E says in a weak hoarse voice and she cradles Katy in her arms with tears in her eyes. We're already running towards them along with the firemen and police. But something's wrong. Katy's eyes are closed and she looks so small and vulnerable and pale. Almost translucent. As we join the crowd of fire/policemen I pant and push to the front with Kayla, just catching Miss E's words. "She won't respond." and all I can do is hope because I don't want to crumble