His Toxic Love

Chapter 11The Fire

“Feeling uncomfortable?” Perhaps my silence made him a little embarrassed, Lucas asked me with a soft and caring tone.

He came closer, bent down and reached out to touch my forehead. I shook my head, and the tension I felt just moments ago slowly eased. “No, I'm okay. Thank you, Lucas.”

“This is what I should do as your friend. From now on, I will bring you food every day.” I looked at Lucas, unable to refuse his offer. I had been worried about using the things Grace prepared for me, especially after vomiting from the food in the refrigerator.

“Thank you,” I said softly, looking at Lucas with gratitude. He smiled back, almost like a big brother, and gently touched my forehead. “Go to bed now, I'll watch over you.”

I was really exhausted. With his reassuring presence, I closed my eyes and quickly fell asleep. However, the bizarre scenes of my dream seemed to strangle my neck, leaving me gasping for breath. Amidst the hazy images, I saw a flickering flame. I closed my eyes and began to cough violently, waking up from the dream. The smell of smoke filled my nostrils, and I suddenly realized that something was terribly wrong.

I quickly got up and walked to the bedroom door, opening it to a wave of heat and thick smoke. Instinctively, I closed the door and didn’t even feel surprised by the scene. I ran back to the bed and reached for my cell phone to call for help, only to discover that it was out of battery. What was happening? In the panic, I told myself that I must survive.

I had no time to think why the house was on fire, and where had Lucas gone. Was he still in the house or was he out of here? Or else another possibility that I would rather not to believe.

Rushing to the bathroom, I soaked myself and combine two wet bath towels to create some form of protection from the flames. I tried to open the door to escape, but as soon as it was ajar, flames engulfed the hallway. There was no way out.

I had never seen such a fire and realized that I was trapped. My arm was burned. Thick smoke filled the bathroom, and the fire grew closer. I was going to die here. For my unborn baby, I had to get out, but I couldn’t.

Lying on the floor, feeling the fire getting closer and closer, I heard Lucas's voice. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but after a few seconds the voice grew louder. It wasn't a hallucination. Lucas had come to save me.

“Lucas, where are you? Help me, please!” I cried out, but the smoke made it hard to breathe and I started to cough.

“Amy, I'm here. Don't be afraid. I'll save you. I won't leave you alone,” Lucas's voice reassured me. His sound was loud to make sure that I heard him. I coughed and sobbed, feeling relieved that someone care about me, that someone cared enough to rescue me and my unborn baby.

The flames began attacking the bathroom door. In panic, I opened every faucet I could find in the bathroom. I was soaking wet, water overflowing from under the door, and the fire that reached me was extinguished.

“Lucas, hurry up, the fire is getting closer!” I screamed, but there was no response. I knew I was being selfish. Lucas had come to save me, and he might lose his life, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing my child.

In desperation, I sobbed and felt harder to breathe. Then I saw the fire near the window. Lucas was standing below, urging me to jump down.

“Amy, jump down. I couldn’t get inside. Hurry up and jump down.”

I slowly opened my eyes, tears blurred my vision. “I can't do it, Lucas. I'm scared. I have a baby in my belly. It might hurt him.”

“No, Amy, I am a doctor. I will make sure that you and the baby are safe,” Lucas reassured me.

“I can't risk it, Lucas... I can't risk it.” I cried desperately but felt my back burning. I fought to be sober.

“Amy, jump down now!” Lucas's voice suddenly turned stern and resolute. “If you jump, at least the child will have a chance to live. If you stay there, both of you will die.”