Eyes Like Fire: Part 4

Once outside, Summer is relieved by the soft breeze of Autumn. For one moment, she completely forgot about where she is and what has just happened. Rushing out to the front yard, she scans the landscape of the house. 1

"Come on baby, come on...where are you?" she whispers to herself impatiently, keeping her eyes glued to all of the possible exits for Blake. Hearing a crunching of leaves behind her, she whips around, quite startled. She gazes into the woods and something catches her eye at the side of a tree...a squirrel. Suddenly, from behind her, she hears the vague sound of sizzling. Turning back around, her pulse quickens...2

"NO!!!!" Summer cries as she witnesses the entire roof crashing down to the mercy of flames. Somewhere underneath the scorching muddle layed Blake....hopeless and trapped.3

Tears of disbelief trickled down her flushed cheeks as Summer fumbled for her cell phone. She swiftly dialed the numbers...911...4

"Come on...come on pick up!" Her voice was muffled by her sobs. Someone finally picked up.5

"Hello? 911...may we get your name, address, and a brief description of the incident?"6

Heavily crying, Summer managed to force out the required information...7

"Summer Mattingly...58290 Redwood Lane...Richmond, Virginia...house on fire...my boyfriend....trapped." That's all Summer could say before another wave of tears overwhelmed her body. Trembling at every limb, she desperately hoped that the man on the other line could understand her.8

"Okay, Miss...calm down Sweetie...we're sending help right away! Hang in there and by any means do not go back inside the burning building! Help will be there soon!" And with that, the line disconnected. All Summer could do now was wait for help to arrive. 9

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Before long, distinct screams of sirens filled the once quiet air. Still in tears, Summer watched the house slowly burn. Knowing that Blake was somewhere inside of that building made it all the more painful for her. If only she had stayed inside with him...it was all her fault. She should've never left his side, never let go of his hand. If she didn't...they'd be together right now. She's rather be with him...whether it meant that she'd be dead or alive...she'd much rather be with him than have to wait in suspense, living on only wishes that he was still alive. She absent-mindedly watched as the fire fighters quickly worked to unwind several hoses from the large, crimson truck. Cold water cascaded out of the heads of all 3 hoses, working and fighting to cease the blaze of flames. Meanwhile, several paramedics had made their way over to her, wrapping her up in a warm fleece blanket and handing her a hot cup of coffee. She took no notice of what had just been done for her...her eyes were focused on Blake's house, and ONLY Blake's house...she prayed that maybe if she pinched herself, this would all disappear, and she would wind up back in the safety of her boyfriend's arms. But this was no dream...this was reality, it was really happening. She fought to stay awake, wanting to be there when Blake's body emerged from the building. Five fire fighters entered the home...hopefully one of them would return with the body of her boyfriend, and hopefully he would be safe. Wobbly and exhausted, Summer tried to sit down on the cold, leaf-covered ground. She was too weak, too stunned, to have the coordination to sit down. So tired....so dreadfully tired...stay....awake....11

Summer collapsed onto the ground...her body still...motionless....12

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For what seemed like an eternity, Summer was finally awaken by the sound of voices surrounding her and the light touch of a hand. Scrambling to her feet...she looked around in confusion. What?? Where was she? Who were these people?? Then it all came back to her...Blake, the fire...the collapsing..all of it came back in one painful memory. This was too much to handle in one night! Burying her head in the palms of her hands, Summer attempted to erase it all. Every memory..all of the pain. She couldn't take it...she needed Blake! Right here, right now. But she had to face it...he was somewhere in the fire...and wherever that "somewhere" was...she wasn't quite sure of at the moment. That's when she realized the police officer was still standing at her side. He pointed in the direction of where the fire used to be...but was now a large mound of ash. Cautiously, Summer wandered over to the half-burned building, eyeing the wreckage. That's when it caught her eye...Blake...laying motionless in the ash. An indescribable pain washed over her as she kneeled down next to her boyfriend. His bronze skin was now covered in small burns and dark bruises. His soft, comforting hands were still, crippled, and covered in ash. She glanced up to see his eyes, but to her disappointment, they were closed. She was too numb to even cry...she was in too much pain to care. She took his hand and softly kissed it. 14

Far too soon, several paramedics walked over with a stretcher, gently working together to lift Blake's body onto it. As the team rolled the stretcher over to the ambulance, Summer walked the entire way as well, holding tight onto Blake's hand. As he was lifted into the ambulance, the familiar feeling of his hand slipping away caught her off guard... 15

((Deja vu))  To avoid crying again...she closed her eyes.16

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Summer opened her eyes back up...only to find herself in a hospital. How had she gotten here???18