Back to the day of the fire
Chapter 1
“Help! Somebody, please help me!”
I snapped awake, coughing like crazy, my lungs
burning. Smoke choked the air. Through the
haze, I saw flames licking at the walls. My frilly
dress, Mom’s pride and joy, felt suddenly
suffocating.
Wait a minute… was this…seven years old
again?
Then I heard him, screaming. Little Timmy
Anderson.
Last time, when I heard that sound, I’d run
straight into hell for that kid. Scrambling over
burning debris, blinded by the smoke. I was
terrified, but all I could think about was getting
him out.
<
And when I finally dragged him clear, what did
he do? He panicked, slammed the door shut,
and ran off, leaving me to burn.
The roaring fire filled my vision, and a weird,
twisted excitement bubbled up inside me. This
time was gonna be different.
Timmy, baby, the wheel’s turned.
I got to my feet and charged back into the
inferno.
I could see Timmy’s silhouette against the
flames. He was almost out.
Just before he could burst through…
BANG!
I slammed my foot against that scorching metal
door. The old latch clicked shut automatically.
He was trapped.
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9:35
100
“The door! The door’s locked!” Timmy wailed,
his voice cracking. “Maggie! Are you in there? Open the door! Help me…”
His voice faded, choked by coughs.
I stared at the closed door, imagining him just on the other side.
A slow, twisted smile spread across my face. “Don’t worry, Timmy,” I called out, faking a sob. “I’ll get someone to help you.”
When our parents finally came running, I was
huddled in a corner, away from the worst of the flames, shivering like a leaf.
Mom rushed to me. “Maggie!”
She grabbed me, hugging me tight. “Are you
okay, honey? Let me see.”
Her hands which used.
<
Her hands, which used to feel so warm and
comforting, cupped my face.
Those hands that had also signed my death
warrant.
