Chapter 271 There's Another Kid
Her reaction startled those around her. They exchanged worried glances, assuming the worst.
The teachers, thinking she was consumed with worry for James, rushed to comfort her. "Don't worry, Jennifer. James will be alright. He's strong."
"He's a hero," another added. "He'll make it out safely."
But their words, meant to soothe, only intensified Jennifer's pain. A wave of nausea washed over her, stealing her breath. This agony was even more unbearable than the gut-wrenching shock of seeing those photos.
James' face, etched with hurt and confusion, replayed in her mind. His disbelieving words echoed in her ears, and the memory of her striking him repeatedly caused her to feel nauseous again.
Each image was an icy dagger piercing her heart with merciless precision.
"Jennifer!" Harmony cried, rushing to her side. "What's wrong? Say something!"
Jennifer lifted her head, her gaze meeting Harmony's. But her eyes, normally sparkling with life, were vacant, as if all color had drained away. Her lips were dry and cracked. "Harmony," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Are you saying... Those photos... It was all a misunderstanding? That you and James... You weren't...?"
Harmony bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She closed them, a single tear escaping to trace a path down her cheek. With a slight nod, she whispered. "Yes. James... He knew how I felt about him. He'd been avoiding me." She took a shuddering breath. "After the conference yesterday, I... I couldn't help myself. I went after him. He was on the phone with you when he saw me. He... He left." Her voice broke. "I followed him."
And so, Harmony confessed everything. She held nothing back, recounting James' rejection, her own desperate confession, and the raw emotions that had spilled out under the weight of the secret they shared. By the time she finished, she was sobbing uncontrollably. "Jennifer, I'm so sorry. I betrayed you. It was me. It was all me. James has nothing to do with this. Please, don't blame him. I... I promise, I'll never see him again."
Jennifer closed her eyes, the world spinning. She couldn't speak. Couldn't even tell if this was real or some cruel, twisted dream. Her body felt numb, distant. The shock had stolen her voice, her ability to process anything beyond the overwhelming wave of emotions crashing over her.
Concurrently, James erupted back into the inferno. The heat had intensified to an even greater extent, akin to a voracious furnace poised to engulf everything within its reach. He could feel the flames licking at his hair, the searing heat scorching his skin.
But he was a man possessed. Adrenaline surged through him, propelling him forward with a speed that defied human limits. He was a blur of motion, racing up the stairs; his only thought the precious lives trapped within.
Barely two minutes had passed since he'd left the children, but in that short time, the fire had grown exponentially. The smoke was thicker, choking, obscuring his vision.
Fear clawed at him, a cold fist squeezing his heart. He had to reach them. He had to get them out.
Finally, he reached the room where he'd left the three children. Relief washed over him as he saw that the fire hadn't reached them yet. They were huddled together, their faces pale with terror, but they were alive.
But their relief was short-lived. The children were weak, their eyes barely open, their faces flushed and damp with sweat. Dehydration was setting in.
"It's okay," James said, forcing a reassuring smile onto his soot-stained face. "I'm back. I'm going to get you out of here."
The sight of him sparked a flicker of hope in their eyes. "You came back," one whispered. "We thought... We thought you'd left us."
"Never," James said, ruffling their hair gently. "I promised, didn't I? And I always keep my promises." He grinned. "Now, I need you to be brave. I'm going to carry you out, but it might be a little bumpy. Just close your eyes, hold on tight, and don't be scared, okay?"
"Okay," they chorused, their voices weak but resolute.
Then, one of the children spoke up, his voice barely a whisper. "Can... Can you save someone else too?"
James froze. "Someone else? Is there another friend in the house?"
The boy nodded. "Sapphira. She's on the third floor. She must be so scared."
"But Sapphira's the bad one!" another child piped up, his voice filled with indignation. "She started the fire!"
"No, she didn't!" the first boy argued. "It was an accident! We can't just leave her!"
James' mind raced. The teacher had mentioned seven children. He'd only found six. There was still one more out there, lost in this inferno.
This changed everything.
But even as the weight of the situation threatened to crush him, James knew he couldn't give up. He wasn't a hero, and he never wanted to be one. But he couldn't stand here and do nothing while another life hung in the balance. Not when he had the chance to make a difference.
"Where is Sapphira?" he asked, his voice firm despite the tremor that ran through him. "Can you tell me where she is?"
"She's probably hiding in the bathroom," the boy said, his eyes pleading. "It's on the right side, just past the stairs. Please, you have to save her. She's not bad, really."
The earnestness in the boy's voice, the sheer desperation in his eyes, struck a chord deep within James. He was just a child, yet he was willing to risk his own safety for someone he believed in.
"I'll find her," James promised, meeting the boy's gaze with a reassuring nod. "But first, we need to get you three out of here."
His initial plan had been to carry two children in his arms and one on his back. But as he gathered them close, he realized they were far weaker than he'd thought. Dehydration had critically depleted their vitality, rendering them listless and clinging to him with the dregs of their physical endurance. He wouldn't be able to carry them all and still navigate the treacherous path back through the fire.
So, he improvised. Scooping all three children into his arms, he used his fingers to create a secure hold, ensuring they wouldn't slip through his grasp. He rose slowly, his muscles screaming in protest, and made his way towards the balcony.
He needed to check on the jump mat. If the fire department had arrived...
But his hopes were dashed as he reached the balcony. The street below was a maelstrom of activity, but the jump mat wasn't in place. He was on his own.
A bitter laugh escaped his lips. This was going to be even harder than he'd anticipated.
However, as he pivoted towards the raging inferno, a fierce gust of wind surged through the balcony, momentarily forcing the flames to recede. It was a small window of opportunity, but it was all he needed.
He moved, his feet flying across the scorching floor. He could feel the heat melting the soles of his shoes, the pain radiating up his legs. But he didn't stop. He couldn't.
He was halfway down the stairs when a new sound reached his ears: a sickening creak from above. He glanced up, his blood turning to ice.
The chandelier, a massive, ornate monstrosity, was loose. And it was about to fall.
Right where he was standing.
He was too exhausted to dodge, to move out of the way in time. And even if he could, the force of the impact would surely knock the children from his arms.
He had a choice to make. And he had to make it now.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
