Her focus had flown away from her and in its place came him. She wondered if she had been dreaming or if it was just a coincidence. Alison confirmed that she wasn't wrong for a second. She had shoved his file under her nose. Proof of the harsh truth. What was he doing here? And how was he not recognized? No one transfers from one clan to another without approval. She grabbed the file and read it from cover to cover. Her finger stopped at the word "CHANGE," printed in uppercase. In an instant, she realized the reason he was here, but was that all? She couldn't answer. Frowning, she threw the file on the table before Alison could add anything. She sank into her chair, ideas whirling through her mind as usual.

–Mey, does his presence bother you so much?

—I have no idea. I long for an end, to everything. I'm fed up.

—Then take it easy. What do you say?

Mey laid her head back, staring at the white ceiling, bare and empty. There, it didn't say "Yes" or "No" to continue the conversation. Lost as she was, Alison offered her a cup of coffee. She didn't want to drag her to the bedroom.

—Thanks. I think something extra wouldn't hurt...

–And is there something more? Oh, dear! Don't tell me...! On the verge of shouting, she covered her mischievous mouth, shocked.

–Alison, please! Get out, now!

–Calm down! I don't force you with nothing!

—Sure? How many times have you tried?

–You always have that bitter expression! You deserve a smile too!

–You're impossible, don't you hold back? What about you?

–Me? Well, I don't spill the beans.

–Too bad, I feel betrayed.

–It'll pass!

Alison hugged the sulking Mey, as if they were still two quarreling little girls. Mey freed herself, wanting to catch her breath. Used to her friend's teasing, she didn't expect any hint of silence. Somehow, she would miss her madness if she didn't stick around. She accepted anyone but completely hated betrayal and lies. She wasn't aware of how many days she had left, but that didn't matter now. She hadn't counted her days, but those of her enemies were too few. Smoke sneaked around her, managing to smell it. It provoked a damn cough, from which she barely escaped. She slowly inhaled and exhaled, returning to a normal breathing rhythm. But she had to figure out the source of the smoke. She jumped from her seat, observing with her eyes the gray air in the hallway, then the flames eating the walls. Alison was screaming behind her. Mey heard nothing. Her intention was screaming to trigger the fire alarm. Finally, she heard the deafening sound. The floor attacked by flames collapsed, and she fell with it.

–Now, my days have come to an end, huh? She murmured in the dark torn by red lights, disturbed by noises she no longer understood. The heat emitted along with the smoke overwhelmed her. Carelessly, she hit the basement concrete, waking up to reality. The only safe way out was through a trapdoor in the ceiling, unfortunately blocked. She had nothing around to help her, and climbing wasn't an option.

–Jasmine, can you tell me which floor is less affected?

–The fire didn't start from the bottom, but I don't think...

–I was thinking of grabbing the edge and pulling myself up.

–How do you intend to do that? Have you gone mad?! This place is collapsing.

–Do you have another solution, Miss Know-It-All?

–No! I'm just blabbering too!

–Fine, will you help me or not?

Jasmine pointed to a plank, and Mey propped it against an edge, quickly climbing it. She felt the wood play because of the weight and gained momentum. She reached the unstable floor, relieved by the passage of a small hurdle. In front of her, the path was blocked, and from behind, the wood was falling. She had celebrated success far too early, and the smoke was killing her respiratory pathways. Morale down, she was more tired than she imagined. She decided to catch her breath for a second, waiting for even the smallest miracle. She let her eyelids cover her eyes, unable to resist. Consciousness left her, being a punishment for her surrender. She dreamed of a starry sky, so soothing, over which spread an increasingly black cloak. Somehow, the cloak disappeared, as did the sky, revealing a bright light. The sun was shining in her face. She lay on the grass. Burned clothes and hair didn't surprise her, only the fact that she was alive. She inspected the place, recognizing the courtyard taken over by clan members. Still dizzy, she focused on Alison, accompanied by the others. She almost felt like she had reached heaven.

© BlairAmy
#fire #escaped #humor #story