233: Burning

Camilla When Justin and I walked to the car, still reeling from the chaos at the pool hall, something felt off. A strange, acrid smell started to permeate the air. I turned to look back at the building, and my heart dropped. Flames were licking up the sides of the pool hall. At first, it was just a flicker, but within seconds, the fire had grown, spreading rapidly and consuming the structure. The sight was both surreal and terrifying. “Justin!” I yelled, my voice rising in panic. “The building’s on fire!” Justin’s eyes widened as he took in the scene. “Camilla, stay here. I’m going to call for help; get the firefighters here now!” Before I could respond, Justin bolted off toward the nearest payphone, leaving me alone with the encroaching flames. The heat was intense, and as the fire grew, so did the thick smoke that began to billow in my direction. I started coughing, my breaths coming in ragged, painful gasps. My vision blurred, and I felt light-headed, the smoke choking my lungs