Caged No More: Chapter 36

Instructions

Someone barges into my room, door slamming against the wall. I sit up, realizing it's Sable. "I thought I told you to get out of my room," I snap, temper rising. He glares at me, throwing open the closet door. "The kitchen's on fire. I need the extinguisher." My stomach drops, and I jump out of bed, pulling the fire extinguisher out from under my bed. "I'll wake up everyone," I say quickly, running down the hall. I can smell smoke from the kitchen, and the detector beeps crazily. I open Birch's door. "There's a fire in the kitchen! Go get the other extinguisher and help!" Dawn and Bill rush out before I can even touch their door handles, and start to drag their things from the main room outside. Dad runs out after them, eyes wide. "Get out of the cabin!" he orders, voice wavering. I grab the gear box and collars from the storage room and throw them outside. I see the goldbeast entering the flames and throwing stuff out the back door, but my dad uses a hand to push me back. "Go outside, we've got this!" I ignore it and rush into the rooms to grab things, heart hammering and mind growing foggy with the smoke. On my way out of my dad's room, I trip over the carpet and a sharp pain erupts on my leg. I pull up my pant leg and see a long, deep gash. I notice small dots of blood on a nail sticking out of the carpet and wince, scrambling to my feet and leaving the cabin. Bill, Sable, and Dawn wait outside, worry on their faces. Sable rushes over. "What happened?" I push him back. "Nothing," I reply tersely, seeing his hurt expression and feeling a pang of guilt. I turn to the adults. "The kitchen's destroyed and smoke is everywhere. I think we'll have to sleep outside." Bill's eyes gleam with worry. "Were any other rooms burned?" I shake my head. Not when I left, at least, I think. "And what about Flame?" Sable asks. "She was in the kitchen when the fire started!" My legs tremble as Dawn gasps in horror, face pale. "I don't know..." she whispers. "I didn't see her in the cabin. I completely forgot to look for her!" Without a word, Sable runs into the cabin. "Wait! Sable, don't!" I scream. Shaking, I sit down and breathe deeply, dread washing over me with each passing second. What if he doesn't make it? What if he dies in there, and the last thing he'll remember about me is me getting mad? The door is thrown open, Dad and the goldbeast exiting, relief on their faces. "The fire's out," my father breathes, wiping his brow. The goldbeast's mouth falls open. "Wait. Where's Sable?" I point to the cabin, not able to form words. The door flies open and Sable stumbles out, covered in ash and holding a trembling Flame in his hands. I rush to help him. "Sable, I'm really sorry!" I stammer. Hi gaze is unfocused and he's shaking all over. "Sable?" "I'm alright," he coughs, wobbling on his feet. "Woah..." His legs give way and I grab his shoulders before he loses consciousness.