Chapter 29
My feet pulled me to the cliff where the students were gathering. I could hear them whispering as I approached. The others are confused. As I got closer, my heart beat faster. Fear still rules me but I have to be strong.
I was almost there when I could see a little smoke coming from the cliff causing the crowd to panic. The situation seems to be getting worse.
Although I hesitated but I had to believe in the Lord's miracle and my own ability.
I didn't stop running when I reached the railings and jumped. In the place where the smoke I see is coming from. They were all shocked when they saw me from nowhere and gaped as they followed me. Trying to drag my eyes to the woods but I just closed them so I could focus.
I rolled for a moment when I fell through the window of the bus, because it fell sideways. First, looking for the familiar smell that grabbed my attention. I looked under it and saw a hole from its black box. From there, flowed the red color like water. I was horrified to see that and sweat dripped from my forehead.
I have to hurry.
I looked back at the window to look for Mj. Good thing I saw her right away. She was on the other side of the bus and seemed to have passed out. Good thing its windows were partially closed so it was easy for me to open it. I just pushed it up and it was really open. People can pass through now.
I put my body through the window and got inside. I quickly went to where Mj. I knelt down next to her and first checked her pulse on her hand.
Thank God, she's still breathing.
"Mj.. Mj..." I said to her while shaking her shoulder, "Mary Jane.."
"hmmm.." She groans as she shakes her head.
"Mj.." I was still shaking her shoulder even though my hand was shaking.
Her brows furrow as she opens her eyes. She was weak when she looked at me while I was relieved to see her opened her eyes.
I felt better so even though my heart was still beating fast, I smiled. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes when she smiled at me with hope.
"Rhea..." She said and tears started to fall from her eyes.
I can't even understand myself why there are suddenly tears in the corner of my eyes. But even before it dripped, I swallowed it and smiled at her.
"Save your dramatic speech for later. Right now, we have to survive first." I said before I stood up and reach out my hand to her.
She held my hand tightly. But when she was about to stand, she instantly groaned in pain as she gasped on her knees.
I didn't ask anymore. I can see that her knee hurts when she moves. So what I did was to bend next to her and put her arm on my shoulder.
I slowly let her stand up while she held tightly to my shoulder. She hissed and exhaled deeply. We carefully walked to the window where I passed. She was holding her breath every time she took a step, so we walked slowly because she might get hurt even more.
"I'll go first." I responded by carefully removing her hand from my shoulder and leaning her against the back of the tilted chair.
He nodded with a small smile and I went through the window first.
After I got out I fell down and extended my hand to her. She reached for it tightly while I supported her weight and one of her hands, on the frame of the window, I slowly lifted her up. She crawled out of the window when I could get half of her body out and then my body collapsed and I was catching my breath. She also lay down next to me while breathing fast.
I was about to be happy when we were suddenly blown away by a strong wind that caused us to fly far away. We rolled on the ground and were both covered in dust and withered leaves.
We carefully picked ourselves up from the ground and turned back to where we came from. Both of our eyes widened as we witnessed the bus being engulfed in flames. And once again I got cold when I saw a withered leaf caught in the fire on the tree next to it and falling to the ground.
I didn't flinch anymore, I took Mj's arm and put it on my shoulder. I wrapped my one hand around her waist and the other held her hand, which was on my shoulder. We slowly stood up and carefully walked away from it.
She was panting as she did her best to walk, with my help. Even though she was struggling, I could see that she was determined to survive so I became more persistent. But we hadn't gone far when I felt heat on my back. My heart beat faster and I started to feel cold again.
I was bending over when Mj turned behind us and I saw out of the corner of my eye that she had swallowed. Her lips trembled and I felt her hand tighten on my shoulder.
"Focus on walking." I replied to divert her attention.
I feel that she is nervous and afraid.
She took her gaze back and focused on the front.
But her body fell on her own and let go of her hand on my shoulder. I couldn't even stop it.
She was almost out of breath and her whole face was covered in sweat. She breathes deeply through her mouth while her eyes are closed. My knee also gave out and fell next to her. I lean my hands against the ground with my head down and gasping to breathe.
My whole body was sweating, including my arms. My face is also sweating. Even my heart feels like it's going to explode.
I also looked at Mj. She is also very tired and struggling. But we have to go on. There is hope waiting for us at the end of what we are going through and that is what I am holding on to.
I feel like my back will burn from the heat I feel. Knowing it was close to us and if we don't keep walking we're really toast.
I gathered all the remaining strength I had and stood up. I reached for her hand and gently pulled it. She opened her eyes and looked at me.
Her eyes were full of sadness and she seemed to be losing hope. But I can't be discouraged. We will get through this.
"I can not take it anymore," her voice was hoarse and she almost cried.
"Really, Mj? Are you really going to act now?" I scolded.
I was about to kneel down to support her when I suddenly trembled with fear at the same time as a burning tree fell on my side.
My eyes almost fell out and my mouth fell open in shock. My heart beat faster.
"Mj, get up!!" I screamed in panic and pulled her hand one after another.
Even though I see her being forced, I'm still happy because she moved.
I knelt next to her again. She voluntarily placed her hand on my shoulder and slowly stood up. I also accompanied her to support her body.
We started walking again. Every step we take was in a hurry but careful.
I'm already bathed in my own sweat causing my every move to become sticky. It's like we're inside an oven and being baked alive.
And out of nowhere something fell in front of us. It was burning and it was so hot that it was impossible for us to get close.
Mj hugged me and I could feel her whole body shaking. I peeked at her and she buried her face in my shoulder. Her shoulders were shaking softly and she was hiccupping.
Stupidly I stared at what was burning in front of us. My lips are trembling and I can't even feel my own breathing. My vision is getting blurry with tears forming at the edge of it. I feel the heat around us seeping through my skin. I can also see the light of the fire in the corner of my eyes. It was as if everything around us was on fire and we were the only ones left alive.
Eventually, my tears began to fall as my eyes looked around. I could see nothing but the heat of the fire that could possibly be the end of my second life.
Really? Is this the end? And Mj will be included?
I close my eyes and allow myself to drown in my thoughts. I was thankful that God believed in me and gave me a second chance to be with the ones I loved and treasured. It was only temporary but no word can define how much I am grateful.
Yes indeed. How dare I question myself when The Creator of heaven and earth believes in me?
I open my eyes once again. With the courage and strength to overcome the situation that we are facing.
I bent down to look at Mj. I gently pushed her to observe her face.
Her eyes were wet and still swollen. She was also pale as if she had no blood. But I smiled at her. A smile of assurance that we will survive.
"Get behind me." I ordered her.
"Huh?" she was confused.
"Do it now. Are you still in drama?" I ordered again.
She stopped protesting and got behind me. She's a bit heavy but I can handle it.
Even before I took a step, my eyes caught a white light behind the blazing one in front of us.
It's a sign. Sign of hope.
I ran towards the burning one and I felt Mj press his face on my back. Don't worry, Mj. We will eat Taco and Zagu after this.
I bravely jumped over the burning thing that was blocking our way as I closed my eyes. I felt the heat in the middle of my thigh that penetrated my skin.
We rolled to the ground when we landed. We both groaned in pain and slowly picked ourselves up from the fall. But I was surprised that I didn't feel any heat around me anymore. I opened my eyes and wandered around.
But my gaze was fixed on the sky. It turned black and gradually covered the rest of the blue color.
Instead of worrying, I felt happy and smiled.
Lucky Rain..