Time Weave Dreams

Chapter 4: Fire and Divination(I)

Sophia was busy in the kitchen of the bar, the flames in the oven jumped, reflecting her focused face. The kitchen of the bar was not big, but for her, it was her little world. She skillfully stuffed the bread dough into the oven one by one, preparing delicious dishes for the customers. There were unusually many customers in the bar today, and the waiter who usually took leave again, leaving Sophia alone busy inside and outside.

The flames were like an awakened beast, raging in the small bar. The originally warm and lively atmosphere was instantly replaced by panic and chaos. With screams of terror, the shouts of "Fire! Fire!" echoed in the air, and people's reactions were quick and chaotic. Some people screamed, their voices full of despair and fear; others instinctively ran out, trying to escape from this place that was quickly turning into purgatory.

The flames quickly rose from the initial tiny size, as if they were given life. They found fuel on the flammable furniture and decorations and spread at an alarming speed. The walls, curtains, and even the ceiling were all engulfed by flames. When Sofia turned around, she saw a sea of ​​fire in front of her. The familiar environment became strange and terrifying.

Sofia tried to frantically beat the flames with anything she could find - chairs, tablecloths, and even her coat - but the fire was too fierce and her efforts seemed insignificant. The flames seemed to laugh at her incompetence and continued to spread mercilessly, devouring everything.

The customers in the bar began to panic. They pushed and screamed, and everyone was looking for an escape. The guests fled one after another, and the scene was in chaos. Tables and chairs were knocked over, and glassware was shattered. These sounds seemed insignificant in the crackling of the flames. Some people coughed in the smoke, some were looking for companions, and some were calling for help in despair.

The air was filled with the smell of burning, and the smoke became thicker and thicker, and the vision became more and more blurred. People's panic turned into despair, and everyone was struggling to survive. Sofia's heart was filled with fear, but she also knew that she couldn't give up. She must stay calm and find a way out, not only for herself but also for those who are still here.

In this sudden disaster, all aspects of human nature are magnified. Some people are helping others escape, while others are only concerned about themselves in panic. The flames are ruthless, but people's actions are warm. In this chaotic night, everyone is fighting for survival, and Sofia is among them. Although her heart is already occupied by fear, her actions are full of courage and determination. The flames engulfed the kitchen, and Sofia's heart was filled with despair. All her dreams and efforts seemed to turn to ashes at this moment. The bar was completely burned down.

Sofia stood in front of the ruins of what used to be a small bar. In front of her eyes was a charred and rubble, and the air was still filled with smoke and the smell of burning. Her hands hung weakly at her side, and there were ashes between her fingers, which were the traces of her efforts to put out the fire. Tears rolled in her eyes, blurring her vision, but could not blur the pain in her heart.

The flames have gone out, leaving only ruins and memories. Sophia's heart was filled with sadness. She looked at the once familiar corners, which were now only broken walls and ruins. Every broken brick and tile, every burnt mark, seemed to tell of the disaster last night. She felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if all her efforts and hopes were reduced to ashes with the flames.

Her future became confusing and full of uncertainty. Sophia didn't know how to face this sudden change. Her life and her dreams seemed to have been ruthlessly taken away in the fire. She felt desperate, not knowing what to do next, and whether she could still rebuild her life from the ruins.

Sophia's heart was filled with mourning for the passing, for the innocent lives lost in the fire, and for those she could not save. Her tears finally couldn't help but fall, and every drop carried her pain and sadness. She felt lonely, scared, and confused.

However, in the ruins, Sophia also saw a glimmer of hope. She knew that although everything seemed to be over now, as long as she was alive, there was always the possibility of starting over. Her determination slowly rose in despair, just like those plants that grow tenaciously in the ashes, she will find her own way to stand up again from this ruin.

Sophia took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. She knew that she needed to be strong and brave to face the future. With the grief of the past and the hope of the future, she will walk out of this ruin step by step, towards an unknown but possible new life. At the other end of the town, in Benjamin's apartment, he was sitting in the study, flipping through an ancient divination book. The walls of the study were covered with various divination tools, from tarot cards to crystal balls, each of which revealed a mysterious atmosphere. Benjamin's fingers gently slid across the pages of the book, his eyes focused and deep.

He was looking for a divination method that could change his fate, hoping to bring good luck to Emily. Suddenly, his fingers stopped on a page that described an ancient ritual that required a pure heart and a pair of dexterous hands to complete. Benjamin's heart surged with an impulse, and he decided to try this ritual himself.

With a "ding dong...", Sophia rang the doorbell of his apartment, with a hint of helplessness and expectation in her eyes. Benjamin opened the door and saw her, and sympathy surged in his heart. He invited her into the room and listened to her story about the disaster of the bar.

Benjamin helped Sophia find a job as a cook in Alex's manor. Sophia's heart was full of gratitude, and she accepted Benjamin's proposal. Sophia stood at the door of the kitchen of the manor, took a deep breath, and her eyes wandered in the spacious and bright space. The sunlight sprinkled on the polished wooden table through the tall windows, forming mottled light and shadow. Copper pots and pans hung on the wall, reflecting a soft luster. This place is completely different from the bar kitchen where she used to work. There is no smoke and noisy music, but tranquility and order instead.

Benjamin patted her shoulder gently, smiled and said, "This is your new workplace, Sophia. I believe you will find your place here."

Sophia's heart was full of gratitude. She knew that without Benjamin's help, she might still be worried about her livelihood. "Thank you, Benjamin. I won't let you down." Her voice was firm and powerful.

Her first day of work began, and Sofia quickly got into the work. Her movements were skillful and quick, and every step from preparing ingredients to cooking revealed her love and respect for cooking. Her fingers danced among the ingredients, cutting fresh vegetables into even strips and marinating meat just right. Her cooking skills were not only reflected in the taste, but also in her respect for food and attention to detail.

The servants of the manor soon noticed the new cook. Her straightforwardness and sincerity quickly won her favor. She always had a smile on her face, and even in the busiest moments, she never forgot to talk to them and share her stories. Her optimism and enthusiasm were like a fresh breeze, blowing away the tension and fatigue in the kitchen.

At lunch time, the owners of the manor tasted Sofia's craftsmanship. One by one, the dishes with bright colors and fragrant aromas were served on the table. Alex's father, a serious old man, slightly relaxed his brows after tasting the first bite. His eyes revealed surprise and appreciation. "This new cook is really good at cooking." His words were brief, but for Sophia, this was the highest praise.