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?"

him without saying anything.

not believe him, Jack smiled wryly at her and said, "It doesn't matter whether

her nervousness in her expression,

want to waste any time. He grasped Emily by the hand, and began to run, leaving no time

of fire ahead of her, Emily was so frightened that she opened her eyes wide,

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

Jack, as he dragged her and ran straight through the flames. Emily had her eyes closed the entire time as they went through

her in a secure embrace, protecting her all the way forward. In spite of that, Emily heard the sound of her hair burning and felt a searing pain in her cheeks.

as he could

balcony, it took Emily several seconds before she could react. She finally opened her eyes to look up at Jack and found that his hair had been burned. Jack had big holes on his clothes and several lumps

however, was relatively

Are you all right?" she asked. Emily furrowed her eyebrows,

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

swallowed those words and replaced them

to ask for anything more. "... Never mind,"

both of them lapsed into

and soon it would make

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

be fine. Don't worry," he said. Jack placated Emily in a soft voice. How he wish he could hold her in his arms.

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

still couldn't figure out why Jack was there

...

Tina was still trapped in a room somewhere in the building. Outside, the fire soared into the sky,

'God damn it, Rose!'