Page 9 of Corrupted Lies

Didn't Jake understand that?

“I can't,” he said softly, so softly she could barely hear him over the sound of the fire.

Or maybe it was the sound of her own harsh, panicked breathing that drowned him out.

That couldn’t be true.

They couldn’t be trapped.

This couldn’t be how they died.

Yanking herself free from Jake’s grip, Alannah threw herself at the door and hammered on it. “Open the door,” she screamed at the top of her lungs as she pounded as hard as she could.

“Stop, honey. You're going to burn up any energy you have left on something that won't help,” Jake told her as he grabbed her and pulled her up against his chest, pinning her in place with a strong arm wrapped around her chest.

What did it matter how she used up the last of her energy?

If they were going to die, they were going to die.

“Please,” she whimpered as exhaustion hit her all at once, and she sagged in Jake’s hold.

His lips touched the top of her head and he sat on the top step, pulling her down with him and holding her cradled on his lap. “I’m sorry, sunshine. So sorry. I never meant to bring this to your doorstep.”

“Not your fault,” she whispered as she snuggled closer. If she was going to die, she supposed there were worse ways to go than being in the arms of her very best friend in the entire world.

There was nothing left to say. They both knew they weren't going to survive until firefighters found them, so Alannah let her eyes drift closed and tried to block out everything happening around her.

Just as she was starting to drift away, she could have sworn she heard loud voices, then what sounded like something smashing into the door.

Positive she was hallucinating, she tucked herself closer against Jake, wishing it would just happen already and she would hurry up and die. Being trapped like this was like being in a nightmare. Only there would be no waking up. At least not in this world.

“Jake!”

She could have sworn that was Jake’s younger brother Jax’s voice.

“Get her out of here, hurry,” Jake said, and she felt him shifting her.

No.

If she was going to die, she wanted to stay right where she was.

Maybe she mumbled something, but she was getting sleepy, and she didn't want to be disturbed.

Didn't seem to matter what she wanted.

Someone lifted her and the next thing Alannah knew, she was choking on clean, fresh air.

Clean air.

Fresh air.

Not the thick, smoky air of the fire-filled basement.

They were free.

Rescued.

Saved.

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