Strings of Fate

195- Smoke and smothering

Look, I’m no fighter and the Shifters move way faster than I can even properly process in this stressful situation. I watched the Shifter woman leap towards the redhead (I have got to learn these people’s names!) and the next thing I know, both women are screaming and the living room is lit up with blue flames that are steadily growing. I watch as Shaun and Darrien leap at the Shifter woman and help her tear off her burning shirt. Bellamy takes the chance to shift and a few moments later his large black cat form is launching towards the Witch in an attempt to knock her down. He pulls back at the last second as flames light up in front of him, spreading and essentially splitting the room in half with us on one side and the Witch on the other. She’s completely trapped, both by us and the fire which is steadily going out of control. There is smoke in the air making it hard to see what’s going on and the smoke in the air is making it difficult to breathe. My throat is so dry and my lungs are struggling. I feel a tugging at my arm. I turn and see Aaron trying to get my attention. He is gesturing for me to follow him out of the room and away from the fire which hasn’t quite reached the door yet. He tugs my arm again but I pull away. I can’t just LEAVE. Not while Bellamy and all the others are still here. Plus there’s Kiara. Wait, where is Kiara? I can’t see her anywhere. She isn’t on this side of the fire… so she must be over with the Witch. But where? I can’t see her, not that I can see much of anything. Aaron persists on trying to get me to leave, taking my arm again and trying to pull me towards the door. I pull my arm away but this time he doesn’t let go. He’s decided I’m leaving and apparently he isn’t asking. This is stupid, I’m not leaving until everyone else does. I can see that Rio is helping the Shifter woman towards the exit now that she’s no longer in clothes that are on fire. Luckily they got her shirt off before it spread to her skin or hair. The others are standing around the edge of the fire trying to decide what to do. This is ridiculous!

“Everyone, get out! The place is literally burning down around us. Don’t just stand there, leave!” I demand. All the Shifters except Bellamy freeze in place for half a second, then start towards the exit, following my orders. Megan and Darrien hesitate but when I meet Megan’s gaze and shake my head, she leaves too. Darrien of course follows her. Aaron is frozen in place beside me, still holding my arm. His b*dy is angled towards the door like he wants to leave but is fighting the impulse.

“Aaron.” he meets my eyes and for about five seconds he holds my gaze. He looks kind of pissed off which is unusual for him, he doesn’t usually emote that much. His eyes drop and at the same time he releases my arm, although he doesn’t seem like he intended to. Then without a word he turns and walks out of the room.

Bellamy is still in Shifter form and he comes over and bumps his shoulder against my hip. He wants me to leave too.

lets out a huff that doesn’t sound

her. There is a sudden burst and the flames spread further, blocking the doorway, the only remaining exit. If Bellamy was anxious before he looks downright petrified now. He is circling the small amount of space we have left, trying to find a way for us to escape. I’m not so optimistic. It’s a waste of time. There is no way out and we can’t go through the flames without dying. Witches fire is too deadly. Without magic to put it out, we’re completely screwed. I can feel tears running down my cheeks as my eyes sting from the smoke. I can barely breathe and I can feel my skin drying out from the heat as I get what feels like sunburn from the proximity. The Witch is watching us through the blue flames and she looks positively gleeful. She might be trapped, but

back to his human form and wraps his arms around me. I hide my face against his

leave?” He says into my hair. His voice comes

1/2

and smothering

desperate and scared.

demand, coughing as I force the words out. He doesn’t respond. Just clutches me tighter. I can hear Megan outside, screaming for us to get out. I wish we could, but it’s too late. I hear screaming coming from the Witch, then all of a sudden the room is dark and quiet as all the fire just poofs out of existence. The room is burned up and everything is covered in smoke. I look up at Bellamy

I see s