Page 87 of Burn for Me

“Till death do us part.”

“I'll see you in hell, Reaper.” The last two guys holding him up cling on tight, wrapping their arms under his to help support him as they guide him out the door. Flames are licking at the edges of the hallway, their bright orange flickering way too close for comfort. The smoke is thick and acrid, making it hard to breathe. What used to be solid walls are now getting eaten away, with the surfaces blackening and cracking from the intense heat. A loud crash sounds and I can only assume that the beams are beginning to crumble and break under the heat.

Suddenly, there's a gunshot, followed by a scream and another crash.

She’s in here.

The flames start to crawl toward me. Taking a deep inhale of whatever depleting oxygen remains, I topple the chair over and hold my restraints above the fire. My fingers go numb from the heat, so I close my eyes and pull against the zip ties, hoping they snap.

“Sam!” it's not static or a speaker.It's her voice. Calling to me with such raw emotion that it forces my eyes to pop open, and I rip from the plastic. The melted parts cling to my skin, my lungs feel as if they are filled with soot, and my skin crawls with the heat nipping at my clothing. But I can't focus on the burn; I'm too busy rushing toward the sound of my fallen angel calling my name again.

“SAM!”

I collide with someone as I exit the room, and we tumble down the stairs. Ignoring a falling beam, I push them away while struggling against the fire.

“God damn it, just stop!” Suddenly, something plastic is pulled over my head, and I gasp for the clean air filtering through.

“Jon?” I pant, and the hooded figure nods.Good, she didn’t come alone, but where is she?I scramble back, pushing through doors and flying downstairs.

Call out to me again, Darlin’.

“Where is she?!” I yell, my voice barely audible over the sound of the building crumbling.

“File out, Sam! The building isn't safe!” Jonathan yells behind me. He’s bloody stupid if he thinks I’ll leave her in here.

“Jasmine?!”

Another gunshot pierces the air, and I rush toward the sound, descending another flight of stairs.

“Here!” Jonathan snaps, tossing me his pistol while drawing his own.

“Where is he!?” The voice is hoarse and broken, echoing off the deteriorating interior, but I would recognize it anywhere. The stairs give way, creating a gaping hole between me and my girl. Without thinking, I back up and leap over the gap, taking another flight of stairs, only to come face to face with a horrifying yet mesmerizing sight: a small body with a thick respirator covering its face and blood soaking through its clothes throwing punch after punch into Brady's face.

He laughs. Something profound and maniacal as he flips them, but before he can raise his fist, I aim my gun. I'm not given any time to shoot before her hand raises, a shot rings out, and he falls limply on top of her.

“No, I need to find him!” Jasmine sobs as she pushes the dead weight off her body and rolls onto her knees.Is she yelling at herself? Has she lost her bloody mind?Within a few quick steps, I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her over my shoulder. I’ll deal with her sudden psychotic tendencies later; right now, I need to get us out of here.

Jonathan rushes in front of me, bursting through a door with his shoulder. When we reach the exit, he's not as fortunate. A large plank of wood lies broken across the floor, with flames licking at it, threatening to spread.

“Fuck!” He yells, and I take a sharp breath, darting my head around for another way out, but there isn't one. There are no windows on the bottom floor, and we definitely can't go back upstairs, given that the building is slowly crumbling around us. Carefully pulling Jasmine from my shoulder, I hold her tightly against my chest. Even though there is no other option, I glance around again anyway.

“I need you to calm down, Darlin’,” I murmur as I tighten my hold around her body.

“We’re trapped. Get Delilah off that damn roof before the fire from this building spreads to that one!” Jonathan huffs and continues to talk, but it's not to me or Jasmine. I can only assume they have their earpieces in, which would explain her yelling earlier.

It's as if Jasmine just now comprehended my voice because she's quickly pushing at my chest and grappling at every inch of my body she can find.

“Sam?!”

I long to savor the relief in her voice or tear our masks off so I can feel her lips against mine but for once…I’m afraid. I promised to protect her, yet I can’t see a way to do that now. I’m not ready to lose her–us. Panic finally washes over her as she realizes our predicament and starts clutching at my clothing, her breathing becoming more labored.

“Everything’s okay,” I murmur as I pull her back into my chest, guiding our bodies to the furthest corner from the door, where the fire hasn’t reached yet. Jonathan is still yelling things I can’t quite comprehend, but he positions his body in front ofours. Slowly, I lower us down and cradle her in my lap, trying to protect her from any falling rubble.

“I—I can't breathe.” she whimpers, and my heart breaks.I can't breathe either. These masks can only filter out so much. I quietly shush her as I rock her against my chest.

I wish I could do more to calm her, but I can't remove the mask that’s keeping her breathing somewhat protected to run my fingers through her hair or kiss her head. I can't promise that this will all be over soon, and I can't reassure her about anything…

“I love you,” I murmur. Suddenly, a loud crash has me ducking my head over her body and clenching my eyes shut.

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