I woke up to the faint smell of smoke, my mind groggy as if I were trapped in a dream. For a moment, I thought maybe I was still sleeping, the warmth around me too real, too consuming. But then I heard Justin yelling, his voice panicked and raw.
"Faye! Get out! Now!" His words were sharp, filled with an urgency that jolted me out of bed.
I bolted upright, my eyes widening as I saw thick, black smoke swirling around the room. The walls of the bungalow were glowing red, the heat licking at the wood, spreading like a living, breathing monster. My heart pounded in my chest, fear gripping my throat as I scrambled to my feet.
"Justin?" I called out, my voice hoarse as I tried to make sense of the chaos around me.
The air was thick with smoke, and I coughed violently, struggling to breathe.
