#Chapter 42: Through the Flames
Abby

Just as I’m leaning forward to make sense of the strange spark in the back of the oven, something

ignites.

I jump back with a yelp just as the heat nearly consumes me.

My heart races as the orange flames dance menacingly from the oven, cutting off the symphony of our

dinner rush with its threatening roar. The scent of burnt food mingles with a more acrid, electrical smell.

An electrical fire.

Panic courses through me.

“Fire! Fire in the oven!” I shout, reaching for the nearby fire extinguisher.

My fingers barely grasp the cool metal before I feel the searing heat engulf my arm. A sharp pain

lances through me, and I draw back with a sharp hiss, dropping the fire extinguisher.

My arm pulses with intense pain, the skin red and already blistering.

“Abby!” Karl’s voice cuts through the chaos, and before I know it, he’s beside me, effortlessly wielding

the extinguisher to smother the flames. Within moments, the roaring fire is reduced to a smoky whisper,

but the damage is done.

I cradle my burnt arm, biting back the tears that threaten to spill. The pain is overwhelming. My vision

blurs, and my legs feel weak. The world tilts.

“Abby, look at me,” Karl urges, his voice lined with concern. His deep brown eyes are inches away, full

of worry.

“I… I’m okay,” I manage, although the quiver in my voice betrays me. The pain isn’t subsiding, and a

nauseating mix of fear and shock swirls within me.

“You’re not okay,” he insists. “We need to get you to the hospital. Now.”

The bustling sounds of the restaurant seem distant. Whispers and murmurs of concern ripple around

us, but all I can focus on is Karl’s steady voice.

“No, the restaurant…” I begin, my thoughts fragmented. The reality of the situation hasn’t fully sunk in.

Jake. “Handle things here.

scoops me up, his arms cradling me close. The scent of

kitchen, is oddly comforting. My head

cool evening air is a sharp contrast to the heat inside, and

but shiver.

he places me gently on the passenger seat, buckling me in. “Just hang in

We’ll be there soon.”

to my burnt arm. The

strange balm. novelbin

the car, I feel his fingers intertwining with mine. It’s a simple gesture,

vulnerability, it means everything.

shooting me a quick glance before focusing back on

Karl,” I manage, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know

you weren’t there.”

my hand, his thumb tracing comforting circles

just did what

at this moment, I know that’s not true. In my pain-induced state, I almost feel

return to me has been nothing but one thing after another. Like he returned at just the

I needed him the most. But it’s silly; I’m just delirious from

tightens, and I feel the reassuring rhythm of his pulse against my fingers. The city lights

the car, time seems

it?” I ask, my

over, the soft streetlights illuminating the concern etched on his features.

doctors will take care

comfortable silence. The hum of the engine, combined

outside becomes a hazy, unfocused

Karl’s hand is a constant, grounding

moment. Our shared

dishes and ingredients, have fostered a

me from time to time, ensuring I’m still conscious. Each

of emotion that’s hard to

feels like mere moments before the car comes to

gravity of the situation hits me full

Karl helps me out of the car, the pain intensifies, but I grit my teeth, trying to

doing great,” he whispers, guiding me

room are a stark contrast to the

with practiced precision, their

and concern.

however, cuts through the din. “She needs help.

to a bed, the clinical environment around me

stays close, filling out

shaken up as I am, he’s my anchor in this moment. And

I clutch his hand,

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