Chapter 7 - The Inferno
The heat radiating from the burning cabin was suffocating.
Flames licked at the night sky, devouring the wooden structure with terrifying speed.
I threw open the car door before Aaron even brought the vehicle to a complete stop.
I screamed Lily's name so loud my vocal cords tore.
There was no answer over the deafening roar of the fire.
Aaron grabbed my waist and pulled me back as a portion of the front porch collapsed in a shower of sparks.
You cannot go in there through the front door.
The roof is completely unstable and will cave in at any second.
I fought against his grip like a wild animal.
My daughter is in there!
Aaron dragged me toward the back of the cabin where the flames had not yet breached the outer wall.
He found a small ground-level window leading into the basement.
He kicked the glass out with his heavy combat boot and cleared the jagged edges.
I will go first, and you follow right behind me.
We crawled through the narrow opening and dropped into the dark, smoke-filled basement.
The air was thick and toxic, making it impossible to breathe without coughing violently.
I pulled the collar of my hospital gown over my nose.
We crept up the wooden stairs toward the main floor.
The heat grew more unbearable with every step we took.
Aaron kicked the basement door open, revealing a wall of fire in the living room.
Through the smoke, I saw a small figure huddled in the corner of the kitchen.
Lily was curled into a ball, clutching a stuffed bear and coughing weakly.
I rushed through the searing heat and wrapped my arms around her tiny body.
Mommy is here, baby.
I have you.
Before I could lift her off the floor, a dark shadow stepped out from the burning hallway.
Daniel was standing there holding a heavy iron fireplace poker.
His face was covered in soot, but his eyes were wide with madness.
I told you, Sarah.
If I cannot have her, nobody can.
He swung the iron poker directly at my head.
Aaron lunged forward and intercepted the blow with his forearm.
The sickening crack of a breaking bone echoed through the room.
Aaron grunted in pain but tackled Daniel to the floor.
They rolled violently into the burning debris.
Get her out of here now!
Aaron yelled as he struggled to hold Daniel down.
I scooped Lily into my arms and ran toward the back door.
I reached for the metal handle, but it would not budge.
Daniel laughed maniacally from the floor as the flames closed in around us.
May you like
I padlocked the doors from the outside, Sarah.
We are all going to burn together.
