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?"

looked up at him without saying anything.

wryly at her and said, "It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. This is not the time to talk

in her expression, "... Then, what should we do now? The fire

with me," he said. Jack didn't want to waste any time. He grasped Emily by the hand, and began to

frightened that she opened her eyes wide, reluctant to follow Jack. Emily screamed, "Jack, are you insane? That

protect you. Trust me," he said. Jack was saddened by her lack of faith in him. Did he have the right to

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

paid of strong hands held her in a secure embrace, protecting her all the way forward. In spite of

as he could to

her eyes to look up at Jack and found that his hair had been burned. Jack had big holes on his

was relatively safe and

asked. Emily furrowed her

laughed at her casually. "It's nothing

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

he had no right to ask

this, both of them lapsed

bigger and bigger, and

began to feel nervous. "What shall we do? The fire is going to

placated Emily in a soft voice. How he wish he could hold her in his arms. "Let's hold on a little longer. The rescuers will be here soon. They'll place air cushions below, so we can jump down,"

said, because this fire was obviously a plot

Jack was there at that moment.

...

a room somewhere in the building. Outside, the fire soared into the sky, and

'God damn it, Rose!'