Chapter 576 She Was Burned
Tommy jumped into his car, floored the gas pedal, and sped home like his life depended on it. Luckily, the police station wasn't far from his house.
As he parked downstairs, he thought he heard the sound of fire trucks behind him, but he couldn't wait. Whether the firefighters arrived or not, he had to save Gillian.
Alaric, who had just arrived, saw Tommy's hurried figure running inside. He had driven in and heard the commotion about a fire in the neighborhood. He had a strong feeling it was Tommy's house.
The fire trucks had also entered the complex but were blocked by a few parked cars at a corner.
"Whose cars are these blocking the fire lane? Contact the owners to move them immediately!"
The other residents were eager to help, and those who couldn't reach the car owners even started lifting the cars together. Alaric looked up at the ninth floor, where flames were already shooting out of the windows, and saw Tommy had already rushed inside.
"Set up the safety cushion and the escape ladder right here, quickly!" Alaric ordered.
The ground below the bedroom window was a grassy area, perfect for placing the safety cushion and ladder. If Gillian hadn't answered her phone, she was likely in the bedroom.
Alaric had been to Tommy's place before. The bedroom was at the far end, and with the fire spreading so fast, even if Tommy managed to get in, it would be hard to get Gillian out through the front door.
Even if the firefighters went up to extinguish the fire now, it would be hard to ensure their safety. Escaping through the window was their only hope.
Alaric glanced at the ninth floor again. Below the bedroom window, there were air conditioning units. He took off his jacket, soaked himself with water, grabbed a small fire extinguisher, and climbed up using the air conditioning units.
For a former special forces soldier, climbing to the ninth floor was no big deal. But seeing him climb, the crowd below was terrified, shouting, "Get down! It's too dangerous! Use the safety cushion!"
By this time, Tommy had opened the apartment door. As soon as the door opened, flames roared out like a wild beast. Tommy quickly dodged, covered his mouth and nose with his shirt, and rushed inside.
He shouted, "Gillian! Gillian!"
The fire seemed to have started in the kitchen. The living room was almost entirely engulfed in flames. As Tommy ran through the inferno, his clothes caught fire, but he didn't care.
He shouted again, "Gillian! Gillian!"
Tommy reached the bedroom door. Though the door was almost burnt through, it wouldn't open. He kicked it open, and as he rushed into the bedroom, the door collapsed, blocking the way out with flames.
He saw Gillian lying on the floor by the bed, surrounded by burning sheets and curtains, her clothes also on fire. Tommy was terrified and ran to pick her up.
He asked, "Gillian?"
She said in disbelief, "Tommy."
Gillian had been screaming for help, but no one answered. Then she was engulfed by the flames, lying on the ground completely unable to move. That feeling was truly hopeless; in her final moments, it felt like she was just waiting to die.Tommy picked her up, trying to get her out, but the flames had completely consumed the apartment. The collapsed door blocked the exit.
Suddenly, the sound of breaking glass echoed.
Alaric jumped in through the window, using his fire extinguisher to put out the flames on them. The small extinguisher was no match for the raging fire around them.
"Give her to me!" Alaric shouted to Tommy.
The escape ladder was already in place, and firefighters were entering through the window.
Tommy handed Gillian to Alaric. Alaric carefully passed her to the firefighters below, who then carried her down.
"Jump out the window!"
Alaric pulled Tommy, and they both jumped out the window, landing safely on the cushion below.
Firefighters had already placed Gillian in an ambulance. Tommy quickly followed her into the ambulance.
"Take her to VitalityCare Medical Center," Alaric instructed the paramedics and Tommy.
As the ambulance sped off, Alaric got into his car, driving ahead to clear the way.
Stellan's phone rang while she was doing yoga with Rowena. Seeing it was Alaric, she answered immediately. Before she could speak, Alaric said, "Stellan, Tommy's house caught fire. Gillian is burned. We're heading to VitalityCare Medical Center. Get the specialists ready in the ER."
Gillian burned?
"Got it. I'll arrange it right away!"
"What's wrong? Ms. Emberlyn got burned?" Rowena was shocked. After Stellan arranged for the doctors, they both rushed to VitalityCare Medical Center.
Stellan and the ambulance arrived at the same time. The specialists were already waiting. As the ambulance stopped, medical staff quickly transferred Gillian to the ER.
"The patient is in shock. Get her to the emergency room immediately!"
The doctors swiftly moved Gillian into the ER. Tommy followed, collapsing to his knees as the doors closed.
"Alaric," Stellan called as she saw him running over. "What happened? How did the fire start?"
Alaric looked at Tommy, who was kneeling on the ground. He should know why the fire started.
Alaric and Stellan both looked at Tommy. He had burns and looked disheveled.
"Mr. Reaves, you have burns too. Let me take you to get treated..."
"No," Tommy interrupted Stellan.
"Not treating your burns won't help Gillian. Waiting here won't save her," Alaric said to Tommy. Then he turned to Stellan, "Have the doctors bring a kit here and treat him on the spot."
Stellan replied immediately, "Okay."
Tommy wouldn't leave the ER entrance, but his burns weren't severe. The doctors brought a kit and treated him there.
Tommy's mind was blank, staring at the "Emergency" sign.
Why did the house catch fire? Was it his fault?
Gillian had a special condition, with nerves more sensitive to pain. This fire must have been excruciating for her.
Would she die? Would she ever come out of the ER?
Seeing Tommy like this, Stellan felt sorry for him. She handed him a cup of water. "Mr. Reaves, don't worry. Gillian will be okay."
Tommy reflexively took the cup, but his hands were shaking so much that he dropped it, the water and shards scattering on the floor.
Stellan looked at Tommy, noticing his hands trembling uncontrollably, unable to hold the cup.
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