Chapter 6 Fear and fire

Edina's pov

Two Weeks Later.

It's been two weeks, two weeks of getting a divorce, of being chased away. Of meeting Dr Cole.

As the night closed in on me, I tried to wipe my tears with the back of my hand but they kept coming.

Nobody knew

No one

Not even that stupid ex-husband of mine and his mistress Kourtney.

When I had left that night, I had taken the keys to my condo, the only inheritance I had now.

The only thing common sense had told me to hide from that stupid, selfish ex-husband of mine.

Standing in front of my condo which was where I was meant to call home now made me realize how much my heart hurt.

But it no longer felt like home. After months of leaving it empty.

Since I had nowhere to go it was better I stayed in the condo which was as empty bare and frigid as my life.

I had a simple dinner.

The only meal I had the energy for was a quick one just enough to satisfy the raging hunger in my stomach.

Tomato soup and then I had some toast.

The tomato soup was tasteless making me realize how long I had cooked.

After dinner, I fell back on the couch reaching for the laptop out of habit.

Anything to divert my attention from the racing thoughts that would not stop.

As soon as the screen came to life I started aimlessly browsing social media, emails, and anything else that would divert my attention from everything.

I felt queasy when I remembered my failed marriage, my husband's betrayal, and the fragments of my former life.

Dr Cole had offered help and a second chance at life for me but I didn't want anything to go beyond friendship.

I tried to block out the thoughts in my head so I shut down the laptop and switched on the television.

Nothing looked too right to distract me from my thoughts.

The weight of my thoughts made the silence in my condo oppressive.

I didn't know when it happened, I was too tired to. My eyes felt heavy and I fell into a restless sleep.

My dreams were useless. Flashbacks to a life I used to know, filled with broken promises.

Even though Dr Cole's voice was muffled and far away I could still hear it calling to me through the fog of my dreams, telling me of the marriage proposal, I saw my ex taunting me.

Then I felt something shift in the atmosphere. My skin prickled oddly. My breath was shallow, my heart was pounding and I woke up with a start.

I knew it, something wasn't right. The room was filled with the pungent heavy smell of smoke and it drifted into my nose.

My eyes popped open and it felt like the darkness was closing in on me.

I leaped from the couch, my heart thumping so violently that I thought it might burst through my ribs, my chest constricted with fear.

Disoriented, my body moving automatically I staggered to my feet.

I was surrounded by a dense cloud of smoke and the terrible thought that my condo which was my last remaining home was on fire filled my head.

Fire.

Yes, my house was on fire.

I was confused and fear hit me like a tidal wave.

My hands were shaking as I reached for the door and my heart was beating too quickly.

As the fire grew I could hear the sharp hiss and crackling sound of flames.

Panic swept over me. I had to leave. I had to make it through. I made a run.

But it was just useless.

My foot snagged on something before I could make a run. I lost my balance, as the floor beneath me tilted.

The world seemed to slow down as my body was falling helplessly toward the ground.

I tried to scream but only dry air came out

My knees and palms scraped the cold harsh floor as I fell hard, the pain burning through me.

I tried to get up, but my body refused to comply.

My mind was too clouded by confusion and fear to concentrate.

I felt as though I was sinking into the floor. L I was choking from the smoke and the intense heat was too much for me to handle.

The flames were closing in and my legs felt like lead as I tried to push myself up.

My vision was blurry as the panic engulfed me and I was unable to breathe due to the smoke-filled air.

This is not how I would. No, not in this way.

This place, this lifeless shell was not where I wanted to die. I still had a lot of things to fight for, things I hadn't yet accomplished.

The memories of the few friends I had, and all the things I still wanted to do flashed before my eyes.

I won't give up, not now. I pushed myself back up after my hand brushed the floor.

I felt the fire was growing louder and seemed to be closing in on me.

My condo was quite far from any neighbors and I didn't think help would arrive faster.

My legs were weak and my body was trembling. I managed to stand up and tried not to fall again.

The fear continued to gnaw at my insides as I pushed past it. It seemed like forever between each step, my body thumping with pain.

The door was far away and the air was unbelievably heavy and the smoke was thick.

I gasped for air and my lungs burned but I was unable to stop at this point. My throat felt so dry as I licked my lips and kept moving.

The world around me was collapsing and the fire was getting closer.

I need to leave. I had to survive. The heat from the flames licked my back as I forced the door open with all the remaining strength I muster.

But it was all useless, the fire closed down on me and I gave up.

My eyes closed as I fell into nothingness.