Chapter 5 - Blood and Ash
Clara let out a sharp gasp as she collapsed against the mahogany bookshelf, clutching her left shoulder.
Blood began to seep through her white blouse, staining the fabric a terrifying crimson red.
Adrian screamed her name, lunging forward to catch her before she hit the floor.
Vanessa used the chaotic distraction to sprint toward the kitchen, abandoning her ruined plan.
Adrian wanted to chase her down, but Clara’s pale, sweat-slicked face demanded his immediate attention.
He tore a piece of his expensive shirt and pressed it hard against her bleeding wound.
Clara winced in pain, telling him to forget about her and get the children out of the burning house.
Adrian stubbornly refused, lifting her off the ground despite the heavy smoke blinding his eyes.
Olivia grabbed his sleeve, pointing frantically toward the large bay windows facing the garden.
The heavy oak front door was still securely locked, and the fire had completely blocked the hallway to the back exit.
Adrian realized the reinforced, shatterproof glass of the bay windows was their only way out.
He grabbed a heavy bronze statue from the mantelpiece and hurled it at the thick window pane.
The glass spider-webbed but stubbornly refused to break completely under the impact.
The fire alarm finally began to shriek, deafening them as the flames licked the ceiling.
Adrian struck the window again and again until a small hole finally opened up, letting in a rush of cool night air.
He helped Olivia and the baby through the jagged opening first, praying they wouldn't get cut.
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Just as he turned back to pull Clara to safety, the burning ceiling above them let out a catastrophic groan.
A massive, flaming wooden support beam crashed down, separating Adrian from Clara by a wall of fire.
