“AlAlice!” Shane called back to the bedroom as she crawled toward the hallway.  The kitchen was on fire and the flames licked and gripped at the walls and counters.  Chocking and coughing, she continued to yell for her friend.  The heat was causing her immense pain burning her skin like a microwave would.  Her throat felt swollen and sore and her eyes burned.

The fire had already eaten it self to the hallway and was climbing the walls and walking the ceiling trying to reach the bedroom.  Throwing away all caution the boyish woman stood and ran to Alice‘s room, gripping the ***** she thrust the door open to a smoke filled room.  Unable to see she dropped again to the floor.  “Alice!”  Her voice forced out the words in a scratchy whisper.  She tried to swallow, but found the task nearly impossible.         

Feeling her way up the bed her hand touched the unmistakable form of a person’s leg.  Smiling, despite the current situation, she shook the leg trying to rouse her best friend.  After a brief moment she decided to carry the blonde out herself.  Pulling the unconscious body closer to her, she threw it over her shoulders and crouched as she painfully tried to maneuver the dead weight through the smoke and to safety.

Mustering up all her adrenaline and energy she managed to make it to the living room before collapsing in exhaustion and lack of oxygen.  We’re deadI can’t go onShe coughed and hacked trying to catch a breath of air.  “AlI love youI’m so sorry I can’t safe you”  She mumbled against the darkness tugging at her.  Her eyes closed against the heat and smoke and she felt herself fall through the darkness and onto a hard chair. 

Startled she looked up to find Clive across from her finishing off the muffin.  He grinned mischievously at her as he pulled a pack of smokes out of his pocket.  Holding the bent white stick in between his dirty fingers he nodded toward her.  “Got a light?”

Fumbling in her jeans she held her hands up empty.  “Sorry man” 

“It’s okayI’ll use her”   Clive pointed behind Shane to the burning body behind him.  He swiftly crossed the table and bent down and lit his cigarette.