Fire!
Call 911 now!
The frantic voices of the crowd outside the clock tower echoed in the air as flames erupted from its peak and smoke billowed from the windows. What had begun as a festive carnival had spiraled into chaos, with desperate cries for help ringing out. Smoke filled the area, choking those trapped inside the clock tower as they fought to find their way out.
In no time, help arrived, including Shane, who had brought them to the clock tower. He clenched his fists, as he witnessed the blaze. He had sensed something terrible was brewing, and while he had ensured help was on the way, he could only hope he wasn't too late.
Officials quickly moved to regain control, working to calm the panicked crowd. Some entered the structure to rescue those still trapped inside, guiding them out of the smoke and flames one by one.
Shane attempted to push through. "My friends are up there. I need to go!" He asserted, his gaze pleading with an official to clear the way.
"They will be rescued, but we need to prioritize your safety. The fire is more extensive than anticipated, and we cannot take additional risks," the official replied calmly. Shane gritted his teeth, his focus drawn to the tower where the fire raged on. He could only hope that Ezra and Evie would emerge unscathed along with the others.
Instead, he turned to support those who were escaping, steadying them to help them regain their composure. If he couldn't enter the tower himself, he would do everything he could on the ground and remain hopeful that his friends would make it out safely.
At the top of the clock tower, where the fire raged, Ezra gripped Evie's hand tightly, guiding her through the chaos. The heat was intense; they were drenched in sweat, struggling to breathe as smoke enveloped them.
"Ezra…" Evie gasped, her throat on fire, tears blurring her vision. "I can't…"
"We have to move!" Ezra urged, pulling her back just in time as a burning timber from above crashed to the floor, sending sparks flying. He waved away the smoke, while holding onto her. They navigated the disintegrating space, but the heat was relentless. Yet, He refused to abandon her.
Evie faltered, pressing a hand to her chest while crouching low, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"What are you doing?" Ezra demanded, hurrying back to her side. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head, fear etched on her face. "I can't… Just go, please," she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks as more debris fell around them.
"Why would I leave you here?" Ezra shot back, refusing to let her go.
"It's all my fault," Evie stammered, struggling to catch her breath as she felt the weight of despair closing in on her.
"I'll get you out of here," Ezra asserted, gripping her hand firmly as he wrapped it around his neck and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Just as he did, a burning beam crashed down from above, aimed directly at Evie. Without hesitation, Ezra intercepted it, taking the hit for her. The wood seared through his shirt and burned his arm, a grunt of pain escaping his lips as he gritted his teeth. Evie's heart ached as she watched him carry her away from danger.
She cursed herself for being a burden, aware that he had risked everything to save her and now bore the pain himself.
As they descended the narrow staircase, Ezra supported Evie's weight while a fire slithered up the stairs like a predator. Suddenly, a loud crack split the air as a beam overhead broke apart, crashing down and blocking their escape route. Ezra tightened his grip on Evie as he urged her onward through the remaining steps.
"Ezra! Evie!" Shane called out, rushing toward them as they emerged from the clock tower. Firefighters were already on the scene, ready to extinguish the flames.
Once they reached outside, Ezra firmly set Evie down. "Are you alright?" he asked, still keeping a watchful eye on her. Once she regained her composure, she looked up and nodded.
Then her gaze shifted, "Your arm, Ezra," she pointed out, her brows pulling together in worry for him.
"It's nothing," he dismissed, just as Shane's voice cut through the tension. "I was so worried about both of you. Are you okay?" Worry etched across his features.
Evie nodded in acknowledgment. "What happened to your arm?" Shane demanded, his eyes narrowing at the wound, but Ezra brushed off the question.
"It doesn't matter," he insisted.
"It does," Evie retorted, determined to help him. "We should get you to the hospital."
"I'm fine," Ezra insisted, his reluctance palpable. "Let's just go home. We've had enough chaos for one night." Evie and Shane exchanged meaningful glances, both hesitant to push further.
"What happened to you, Evie? Where did you go? Do you know how hard we searched for you?" Shane probed.
"I don't know," Evie replied. She had anticipated this question but had no answers; all she remembered was stepping out of the cabin, and everything after that was a blur. "How did I end up in the clock tower?" she asked, unease creeping over her.
"Derek," Ezra said, locking eyes with her. "If we don't stop him now, who knows what twisted game he'll play next? I've contacted the police; they're on it."
Evie's expression hardened. She had thought Derek would move on, but now she realized just how far he was willing to go to hurt her and Ezra. He had wanted the breakup; she had obliged, and now he was acting like a madman?
"So who is this Derek guy?" Shane pressed as they started walking away.
Ezra fell silent, and so did Evie. She didn't want to get into it—Derek made her skin crawl.
Once they arrived home and everyone dispersed, Evie entered the room she shared with Ezra, clutching the small bear tightly. She had no idea she would still be holding onto it. She thought of what had happened this night—a disaster from the moment the merry-go-round had turned. How could she have been taken without anyone knowing?
It weighed on her that Ezra and Shane had both worried for her and, worse, that Ezra had been hurt because of her recklessness.
Suddenly, she heard a hiss from the bathroom. Ezra had gone in there earlier, and she couldn't help herself. "Are you okay?" she asked gently as she stepped inside.
"Yeah," he grunted through gritted teeth, removing his shirt. Evie's gaze fell on his perfectly structured body, the tautness and she swallowed. This wasn't what she was here to do, Her eyes darted to the burn on his arm, a reminder of the danger he had faced for her.
"I told you we should go to the hospital," she asserted.
"I'm good," he replied defiantly, but she furrowed her brows.
"No," she shot back, a note of authority in her voice. "Sit, Ezra."
His gaze flicked to her, surprised by her tone, "Sit," she insisted. He obeyed, settling on the edge of the bathtub. Thankfully, the first aid kit was within reach.
Evie dipped a clean cloth into cool water, her hands trembling slightly as she pressed it against the burn. "Tell me if it hurts," she instructed softly.
"It already does," he admitted, tension in his voice.
"I'm sorry," she said, her guilt swelling. This injury was serious, and it was her doing. Tears welled in her eyes as she recalled how he had shielded her from this pain, pain that she should bear now. "You didn't even hesitate," she said, her voice tightening.
"I wasn't going to let it touch you," Ezra answered, his gaze steady as it met hers. "You're unbelievable," Evie said as she carefully treated the wound. Once finished, she looked at him earnestly. "Thank you."
"If there's any way I can repay you—" she began.
"Maybe you can stop inviting trouble" He interrupted, much to her surprise. Her lips parted but then closed, knowing she couldn't retort as he was right. But then was it her fault that she was kidnapped?
He stood up and held her shoulders, leaning close to her, "As long as we're in this together, I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe until this is over."