The entire sky lit up in red. Screams began erupting from the crowd, Townsfolk and protesters alike, no one had expected a sudden explosion. Flames began to reach up to the sky as all hell seemed to break loose. It spread quickly, and Eli could only stand in shock at the sight before him.
Elis ears rang from the lasting sounds of the explosion.
People ran and bumped into him, knocking him off balance. It took a second for him to regain his footing and voice.
"STOP!"
Eli screamed, trying to get the townsfolk to listen.
"We need water! Get water! Try to put the fire out!"
No one listened, chaos ruling everything around them. Elis eyes scanned around for Reuel, to no avail. Forgetting his friends orders, he immediately began to run towards to the church, pushing people out of the way to the best of his ability.
His heart sank at the horror before him. The fire had spread to the grounds and the orphanage. Buildings nearby the church began to burn, people running out in a billow of smoke, screaming for help. A sudden vision played out before him. He remembered. This was his dream. His nightmare that had plagued him for months. The fire, the screaming, the… death.
Eli quickly grabbed the arm of someone running by him.
"s-stop! We need to help the children in the orphanage, they'll be trapped inside!"
Thankfully, the person he grabbed stopped their panic and looked at Eli, taking a moment before nodding.
"You're right.. We've got to.. We've got to save the children!"
The person he stopped began to shout for order. His voice was stronger and louder than Elis and it made people stop and listen.
Within minutes, A group of people had begun to help gather water and run towards the orphanage where Eli could hear the children trapped inside screaming. Another group of people began helping the townsfolk trapped inside of their own burning buildings. Buckets of water began to pass around. Eli grabbed one and headed for the orphanage. He didn't have a good relationship with any of the others, but he didn't want them to die!
As Eli came closer to the orphanage, he could see the structure was already beginning to collapse, making it harder for the fully grown adults to get inside to the children crying for help. He pushed a bucket of water off to a man beside him.
"Let me through! I should be able to fit! Let me get inside and find a safe space where I can lead the children out to you!"
No one questioned him, and for once, Eli was met with looks of appraisal and acceptance. He didn't have time to appreciate it before he quickly dove inside the collapsed blistering entrance. Heat from the flames hit him in the face and he recoiled, taking a last breath of fresh air before continuing inside.
"Where are you?!" He shouted and he knocked over some debris in his path. He got to an area where he was able to stand, taking his foot and trying his best to beat out any smaller flames he could. "I'm here to help you, answer me!!"
He heard shouting up ahead and to the left. He quickly braced himself against the heat and flames and ran through, shouting out until the kids yelling was close. A door to the common cafeteria was blocked by a burning beam, refusing to budge as the kids on the other side pounded away.
Eli tested his hands against the parts of the beam that weren't completely engulfed in flames. It hurt. So bad. He gritted his teeth and began to push. The beam had to give away at some point. He could smell his own flesh burning as he used all the strength he could muster. Ignoring his own pain, he continued on. "Please, god please.."
He grunted to himself and felt the beam slowly give way. He heaved it to the side, quickly patting out the bits of his shirt and pants that had caught fire.
He tore open the door as soon as he was done, met with more than half of the orphanage children inside. "Eli!" A child exclaimed in shock. More followed suit. "There's no time you guys! There's a small opening to get out, we have to hurry before it collapses! Form a single file line behind me, and stick close! The flames are growing every minute!" He was met with quick nods, the children listening without a second to think.
He checked to make sure everyone he had seen was accounted for before slowly leading them, back out from the way he came in. Burning rubble fell around them, making the children scream with fear. "It's okay, its okay, I promise, you all will get out safe.."
When he reached the area where they needed to crawl through, Eli shifted over to the side, trying his best to avoid the flames licking out towards him. He could feel his knees and soles of his feet burning. He bit his lip and put on a strong face. "Alright everyone, quickly crawl through here, you will see the entrance out ahead. Keep your heads down and hold your breath.. There's fresh air on the other side."
He ushered the kids forward, making sure each one went through before him. He could hear exclaims of relief from the townsfolk helping outside. As the last child exited, he followed behind. A breeze went through the opening as he crawled out into the firelight night. The breeze caused the rest of the entrance to crumble, thankfully after everyone was safely outside. He stood up and looked back at his burning home. He could almost hear a faint voice among the flames, whispering his name.
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