Phoenix

Chapter 11: Breathe

We reappeared back in the Apartment on my father's office floor, which I haven't touched since his death. Luke pushed open the secret door built behind the large bookshelf shoved in the corner. He ran towards us and scoped up Kida from my arms, practically ripping her from my death grip. Max came racing out of the safe room, licking me affectingly as I struggled to get off the ground.

"It's ok," I breathed, letting my tears roll down my cheeks as I removed my mask.

"Come on," Luke called from inside the safe room.

My knees felt weak as I attempted to put one foot in front of the other. Max stood next to me and strolled as I staggered down the short hallway and into the expansive hidden room.

The room was filled with floor to ceiling old tech that we had reused or fixed up. Screens flashed with the layout of New York City spread out across them, traffic cameras that had a constant police surveillance system running through it looking for criminals. More importantly, we had medical supplies that help improve the power cells within Inhumans.

Luke laid Kida down on a small medical bed in the corner of the room where no screens covered the walls. Instantly he hucked up an air mask, letting her breathe fresh air. I stayed back, forcing my body to recover from the abuse I gave my embers. Max sat at my feet and leaned himself against me, letting out a little whine.

"She'll be fine, Max," I breathed, controlling the stability of my voice.

'Let me burn by my own fire before she dies,' I prayed, already feeling as if my fire had consumed my whole body.

'Please, please, I'm begging you, let her breathe,' I begged whoever was listening.

Kida sprang up from her coma state, coughing and gasping for air. I breathed, letting my body collapse to the ground in relief. Max let out a cry of fear while licking my face profusely. Luke turned away from Kida, a look of worry clawed at his face.

"I'm alright," I breathed as Luke quickly turned back to Kida. She squirmed on the small bed, as though she was still fighting.

"Easy, easy," Luke breathed while holding her down.

"It's ok, you're back," he explained as Kida calmed down, yet her eyes searched frantically for something.

"Em, where is she?" Kida asked urgently.

I painfully got to my feet, desperately wanting to see Kida's life filled eyes. In an instant, my eyes fell on her, and all worries fled my body. I staggered over to her, our arms embraced each other, and fearful thoughts were put to ease.

"Thank God, you're alive," Kida breathed, her fingers digging into my skin, refusing to release me.

"I'm alright, I'm alright," I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

'Thank you, thank you,' I prayed as Luke gently forced us apart to examine Kida closer.

"Go take a hot shower, it should help your embers," Luke instructed. I nodded while Kida looked wild with questions as her gaze went from me to Luke back to me.

"I'll explain later," I promised, heading to the hallway. Luke kept her down on the medical bed as she tried to sit up again while I forced my body to leave.

'She's alive now you need to live for her,' I thought, heading for the shower with Max following me at my heels.

I couldn't strip off my sweat-soaked uniform any quicker. The moment I got into the bathroom, everything hit me, the shooting, burning aches that traveled up my spine and spread outwards, consuming my body in one fell swoop. The thought of warm water covering me entirely made my body crave the heat like a drug.