A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Emily's heart stiffened a little. She had a gut feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Instead of banging the door again, Emily kept twisting the door-knob vigorously with all her strength. Not knowing how long it had been, she heard a clicking sound, as she managed to break the lock.

Emily gasped for air, tired from twisting the door-knob. After she had mustered all the remaining strength she had, she pushed the door open fiercely. A wave of hot air kissed her face, forcing her to step back instinctively!

Emily took a deep breathe, but the smell dominated every breath and the flames were louder than expected, roaring as they consumed the floor. Smoke billowed in the corridor. The radiant heat was intense, scorching her skin.

No wonder nobody responded to her, even though she had heard so many noisy voices outside just now. It was because of the fire.

Suddenly, Tina's last words before walking away echoed in Emily's ears. Panic-stricken, Emily wondered, 'Was Tina a prophet? Or did she have something to do with the fire?'

However, the situation did not allow her much time to think. Emily went in and doused herself with cold water from the basin. She tried hard to put up with the shivering, as she cautiously made her way out of the lavatory.

The whole place burned like a bonfire with gasoline. The coughing was instant as were the tears that washed over her eyes. The black smoke thickened, taking away all visibility, as she fell to the floor, crawling.

The fire was engulfing her surroundings fast, as if it had a life of its own.

Emily crawled ahead, but there was no way to go. The all-consuming inferno had her surrounded, and the waves of hot air rolled over and dried her wet clothes quickly...

What was she to do? And which way was she to take?

"Emily!"

When Emily had lost all hope, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her from a close distance. Hopeful, she looked to the direction where the voice had come from. Her watery eyes, filled with surprise. "Jack? What are you doing here?" she asked.

Jack ran towards her and said, "If I told you it was a coincidence, would you believe me?"

up at him without saying

not believe him, Jack smiled wryly at her and said, "It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. This

expressing her approval to his words. She couldn't hide her nervousness in her expression, "... Then, what should we do now? The

waste any time. He grasped Emily by the hand, and began to run,

Emily was so frightened that she opened her eyes wide, reluctant to follow Jack. Emily screamed, "Jack, are you insane? That is fire! We

me," he said. Jack was saddened by her lack of faith in him. Did he

resist Jack, as he dragged her and ran straight through the flames. Emily had

hands held her in a secure embrace, protecting her all the way forward. In spite of that, Emily heard the sound of her

as much as he could to the balcony at

eyes to look up at

relatively safe

you all right?" she asked. Emily furrowed

her casually. "It's nothing serious. Don't worry about it,"

her lips, trying to say something, but she swallowed those words and replaced them with a sincere gratitude.

Jack sad, but he had no right to ask for anything more. "...

this, both of them lapsed

and growing bigger and bigger, and soon it would

is going to spread here very soon,"

he could hold her in his arms. "Let's hold on a little

had said, because this fire was obviously a plot to kill her. If she had stayed in the bathroom, the consequences would have been

couldn't figure out why Jack was there at that

...

building. Outside, the fire soared into the sky, and inside, the room was like a furnace, slowly burning her into

'God damn it, Rose!'