Chapter 2 - The Burning Secret

I grabbed the waterproof bag and stuffed it deep into my heavy winter coat.

There was no time to pack anything else or grab my keys.

The men on the fire escape shattered the kitchen window with a heavy crowbar.

I grabbed Jerry’s leash, clipped it to his collar, and sprinted out the front door into the hallway.

Heavy footsteps pounded behind me as the men breached my apartment and immediately gave chase.

I did not wait for the elevator, throwing myself down the concrete stairwell three steps at a time.

Jerry kept pace perfectly, his sharp claws clicking rapidly against the stairs as we fled.

We burst through the lobby doors and ran directly into the rainy night streets.

I knew I could not go to the police because Clara had explicitly warned me not to trust them.

The only person who knew the entire truth was Victor, the owner of the furniture store who had hidden the evidence.

I ran for six blocks until my lungs burned and my legs felt like heavy lead.

I turned the corner onto Victor’s street, desperately hoping his shop was still open late.

The heavy scent of gasoline and thick black smoke filled the air before I even saw the building.

Victor’s furniture store was completely engulfed in roaring orange flames.

Fire trucks were not there yet, and the street was completely deserted.

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I ran toward the blazing storefront, shielding my face from the intense, blistering heat.

Through the shattered front window, I saw Victor lying motionless on the burning floor.