Lyon: A Bodyguard Story

Chapter1

Venice ♡

*Cough*

“What is happening?” I felt like my body is burning. Am I sick? Did the heater break down? No, maybe mom is cooking and she has forgotten the pot on the stove as usual. I let out a sleepy chuckle.

Wait.

Then it dawned me as I jolted awake. My parents left town this morning. I looked around and couldn’t see anything other than smoke. What in the world is going on? I let out another cough as I waved my arms to fan the smoke away. Did I forget turning off the stove? But, today I ordered pizza so I didn’t use it. *Cough* No! It can’t be. *cough* No. No. No. No. Oh god, the house is on fire! I should get out this moment. I immediately wrapped my body with the bed sheets and as I inched closer to grab the doorknob, I abruptly halted my actions. Are you trying to burn yourself alive, V? Okay, I should calm down first. Breathe. Inhal- *cough* Okay, it’s a stupid idea. Just calm down and try to remember mom’s so called home alone safety lectures.

1.Don’t cover yourself with a blanket, the material could catch the fire.

2.Don’t open the windows or even spill water over the fire, it will only intensify.

3.Don’t touch any flat surface or doorknobs, they may burn your hands.

4.Use a wet cloth to cover your nose.

I immediately opened my closet and took two pieces of clothes. I grabbed the glass of water from my nightstand and poured it over one of the clothes and covered my nose with it while I used the other to open the door. The hallway was opaque with smoke with no trace of fire which meant that it hadn’t spread a lot. This is a good sign; I can get out without any harm. As I sauntered through the hallway, I could feel the temperature rising with each step I take. With the cloth on my nose and teary eyes, I forced myself to move forward. To my right, the couches in the living room were on fire but other than that it hasn’t spread much.

Oh God! My heart skipped several beats as I turned left where the kitchen was, the counters, the fridge, the stove every single thing was on fire. A nightmare, that is what the scene in front of me is. The intensity of the fire in the kitchen shows that it started from here in comparison to the other rooms. But how? I’m sure I checked the stove before sleeping. Was it one o- *cough* I need to escape right now. I looked around and found the door that leads to the backyard slightly opened. I tried to run towards it but my body was getting weaker, yet I managed to get out. As the first breeze hit my face, I felt alive once again. I fell to my knees and let out all the intoxicated coughs and took deep breathes. I can’t believe it. My home is burning into flames and I can’t do anything about it. I could see people running towards me and shouting but I couldn’t listen to any of their words as I mustered the courage to look at my house.

Sorrow.

That was the first thing I felt as I digested the scene in front of me. Now the fire has spread more and I could see the living room lighting up like a Christmas tree. The only home I had has been taken away from me just like they’ve taken J- I stood straight clutching my neck. It can’t be. “No" I whispered as tears blocked my vision. “I can’t lose it! No.” I started searching my clothes. Where is it? Where? I checked my pockets. Nothing. I could lose everything in the world but not this. If I do, this means I’ll lose him forever. I started shaking my head “NO! I can’t”. I started running towards the door I came out from, ignoring the voices that were calling me.

*Cough*

I tried looking around, but the fire was making it impossible. As if hell broke loose, the couches which were previously white became a mix of black ashes and orange flames. The crystal chandelier was hanging so low that it might drop any second now. I could see our family photos which were lined elegantly on the walls turning into ashes. My heart was running a marathon though I’m standing still. I started scanning the room with my eyes hoping that I find it. Nothing. It's impossible to see through all the smoke. A series of coughs began to announce their presence now that I left the cloth outside. I am aware of the weakness my body was feeling and all the dizziness. No, I must stay strong. I need to find it right away. I managed to slip out of the living room towards mine without getting burnt. Believe me it wasn't as easy as it sounds. *cough* *cough* When I entered, I suddenly felt dizzy once again. I shook my head and forced myself to search more. I searched the drawers, bed, closet, and even my bathroom. But nothing came out.

*cough*

My heart couldn’t take it anymore shedding defeated tears as I fell on my knees again. I cried, "I can’t live without it. I promised." Just as I uttered these words, a sparkling light under the bed captured my attention. My eyes widened and I immediately snatched it. As I inspected it, a weak smile managed to appear on my lips. Feeling relieved, I clutched it in my hand and got up with all the energy left in me. Now I can get out.

*Cough*Cough*Cough*

I walked through the hallway to the living room. If I said before it was lighting up like a Christmas tree, now a live firework show began playing in front of me. The fire has gone wild and everything was burning. I felt dizzy once again, yet I kept on fighting to stay awake. As I inched closer, I heard something ticking, that's when the chandelier fell taking me with it to the floor. This time I couldn’t get up. I tried, I really did. I used all my power to lift it off my leg, but all my attempts failed. I felt pain shooting up all over my body. That's a lot of pain. Don’t panic. I got out once, I can do it again. I tried sitting so that I can see the damage the chandelier has caused. If I tell you it's not bad I would be lying. It has my left leg captured between its octopus like hands. Okay, all the motivation flew out of the window the moment I saw blood covering it, yet I tried lifting the chandelier, but it was gigantic. I tried again and again and the result? You guessed it right: Nothing. Ughh, I should've gone to the gym more. I leaned back defeated, forcing my eyes to stay open and shouted for help, but all that could be heard from me was a muffled voice. As I felt my eyelids starting to close, I raised my hand that is clutching the only thing I risked my life for and brought it to my heart. I never thought my death would be anytime soon but now that I kept my promise, I am welcoming death with opened arms. Finally, I could be with him like old times.

"Venice" an unfamiliar masculine voice called. . A part of me felt relieved that someone came to the rescue while the other felt numb. "Don’t move."