#Chapter 246: Inferno

Nathan The first step into the burning structure felt like stepping into hell itself. The air around me was superheated, burning my lungs with every inhalation. The once grand building, known for its exquisite woodwork and intricate designs, was now an inferno. Flames roared around me, dancing menacingly like vengeful spirits awakened from a deep slumber. I could hear the distant shouts from the town square—desperate pleas for the safety of the missing child. But inside, those voices were drowned out by the relentless roar of the blaze. A wooden beam collapsed to my left, sending a shower of sparks into the air. I shielded my face with an arm, feeling the heat singe my skin. The smoke was suffocating, and I pulled a cloth over my mouth, trying to filter the worst of it. Every breath was an effort. As I navigated through the fiery maze, my thoughts were consumed by the little girl lost somewhere in this hellscape. “Hello?!” I shouted, my voice soundi