Chapter 19
Scarlett fed Ice his dinner and grew restless in her room. She opened the door to hear the nurses in the hallway.
“Have you checked on Hannah?” one of the women asked.
“Not yet. I took her dinner, and she didn’t touch a thing. I already alerted Dr. Winters. We’ll have to insert a G-tube soon if she continues down this path. I can’t imagine what she went through,” the nurse said compassionately.
“She sits there, day by day, staring out her window. Dr. Meyers visits her, and she doesn’t even speak,” the woman said as she rolled a cart past Scarlett’s room.
Her heart fell when she heard about her neighbor.
When the nurses passed, Scarlett and Ice made their escape.
Like the last time, he stopped by Hannah’s door.
She felt for the handle and pushed her way in, knocking softly.
She walked farther into the room, hoping Hannah would see her and choose not to scream.
“Hi. I’m Scarlett. I’m staying next door until tomorrow.
I wanted to say hello, and I understand.
I don’t know what you’ve gone through, but I was on my way home when a missile hit our Humvee.
It caused me to go blind. If you ever want some company, I’m staying in cabin one.
Please remember, no matter how bad it seems, you’re safe here.
My friends talked me into coming, and I didn’t want to, but it’s making a difference.
If you need a friend, I’m not too far away,” she whispered, hoping the woman heard her.
She snuck back out with Ice at her side. Still feeling claustrophobic, she went outside.
“Hi Scarlett,” one of the veterans who drove the van into town greeted her. “It’s a bit late. Do you need to go somewhere?”
Thinking a slice of pizza sounded good, she asked, “Do you know what time the pizza place closes?”
“Oh, yeah. It closes at midnight. I’m picking up the teens then. I don’t understand the thrill of playing video games there when they have perfectly good ones here,” he grumbled. “Do you have a slice of pizza calling your name?”
“What time is it?”
“It’s ten thirty. I can drop you off and you can ride back with the kids,” he offered.
Checking her pocket for her wallet, she nodded. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Hop in,” he said, walking toward the vehicle. Scarlett commanded Ice forward, and they got inside.
When they reached the restaurant, he opened her door for her. “Don’t forget, be here at midnight. The older kids have a curfew of twelve fifteen.”
“I won’t forget,” she assured him before going inside. The place felt small, and the kids laughed while they took turns challenging each other at the games. She felt her way to the counter.
“Hi. What can I get you?” a young woman asked.
“Do you sell pizza by the slice, or do I need to order a whole pie?”
The woman snorted. “If I didn’t sell it by the slice, none of these kids would ever afford it,” she joked. “I have sausage and pepperoni, Hawaiian, cheese, and veggie left.”
“May I have a slice of sausage and pepperoni with a water?” she asked, pulling out her wallet.
She fumbled for her card, unsure of what bills she had left.
Scarlett held it out, and the woman swiped it before handing it back.
The teens grew rowdy as someone took the lead in whatever game they played.
“Do you have tables outside?”
“Yes. Go out the door and take a left. There will be three of them about twenty steps down,” she directed.
Scarlett stepped aside while she waited for the server to pack her order. A few minutes later, she walked out, carrying her items.
She listened intently for any noise, realizing it might not be wise to hang outside alone, unable to see any dangers.
The air felt slightly chilly, but refreshing.
She found the table and sat, pulling out her food.
Biting into the cheesy slice, Scarlett berated herself for her foolishness.
Besides the jerk who kept destroying property, everyone seemed friendly.
It’s not like Serenity housed serial killers.
Balling up her garbage, she placed it under her arm, hoping to find a receptacle. Scarlett decided to take the opportunity to practice with Ice, working on curbs and stop signs like Candy showed her. It’s unlikely many people drove the streets late at night if she made a mistake.
Deciding on walking to the grocery store, Scarlett gave Ice his commands and started down the quiet sidewalk.
Ice stopped, signaling the crosswalk, and she smiled, recognizing where she stood.
He led the way. Her shoulders relaxed and she breathed in the fresh mountain air, feeling a bit like her old self.
They approached the grocery store when she decided to turn around and head back toward the pizzeria. Ice stopped a few times unexpectedly and she lost track of how long it took to get there. “Let’s return. Rayne will be surprised when she sees how amazing we work together,” she said to the dog.
Ice halted and stood in front of her, making her readjust her hand. Her stomach dropped when he let out a low growl. A familiar scent filled the air, and she tried to place it while getting her four-legged friend to move. Ice refused to budge.
Scarlett sniffed the air again, catching a whiff of smoke.
Ice finally took his position, and she directed him toward the community center, where the fumes seemed stronger.
Her heart raced, and she increased her pace.
The heat of something on fire drifted in her direction, and she stopped and touched the brick building beside her.
Scarlett recognized the bakery, and the smoke seemed close.
The distinct smell of tar and wood burning filled the air. Thinking about the older women, she turned Ice around and raced to the back, recalling how many steps it took to the apartments. She pounded on Edie’s door.
“Edie,” she called loudly. When no one replied, she moved toward the community center to use the phone to call for help.
The heat grew stronger the closer she got.
The sound of wood crackling and a window exploding confirmed her fear the fire was growing bigger by the minute.
Turning around, she urged Ice to go faster.
Feeling a window, she shrugged off her jacket and wrapped it around her hand.
Scarlett turned away from the glass and struck it hard twice before it shattered. “Edie,” she called.
“Scarlett? I don’t have my hearing aid in. What’s the matter, child?”
“Call the fire department. I think the community center caught on fire. You need to come out,” she yelled.
Commanding Ice to stay, she felt along the wall to the fire escape.
Scarlett reached above her head and hissed as it burned her fingers.
Again, she used her coat to pull it down, stumbled up the stairs, and banged on the window.
The higher she climbed, the hotter the temperature grew.
“Barb, Barb. Come out,” she screamed. “Help, fire!” The wind shifted, making her breathe in the toxic smoke and sent her coughing.
Barb unlocked the window and raised it. “Oh, my gosh,” she exclaimed as Scarlett tugged her out. “I don’t have my cane.”
“Lean on me,” she ordered, pulling her down. “Don’t touch the metal. I’ll get you halfway. I have to get Debbie.”
“She has the four children,” Barb said, panicked. “Michael and Lizzy won’t be back for another hour.”
A loud boom shook the building, and Scarlett steadied Barb, who screamed.
The heat seemed more intense, and Scarlett rushed her down the stairs, using her jacket as a barrier between her skin and the hot railing to guide her down.
The fire hissed, and small bursts from items rupturing grew louder.
The air grew thicker, making it difficult to breathe.
“I’ve got her and Ice. The fire department’s on its way.” Edie assured her. “Barb, are you all right?”
Scarlett didn’t wait to hear her answer as she turned and went up the stairs.
She felt the warmth of the flames as she climbed higher up, using her arm to block out the smoke-filled air.
The metal railing scorched through her coat, growing hotter as she rose, heightening her anxiety.
The whining of metal bending from the blaze grew louder.
“Debbie, Debbie!” She pounded on the glass as a blast of sizzling warmth scorched her face, indicating it burned close by.
The window opened, and Debbie thrust Beth into her arms. “Caleb, Tyler, and Faith are in the bedroom toward the back. There’s smoke everywhere,” she cried. “I can’t see anything.”
Scarlett didn’t hesitate, climbing inside. “Keep low to the floor. Tell me where,” she commanded as she pulled Debbie down. “Do you have any towels we can soak?” she coughed. The apartment felt like the inside of an incinerator. The flame’s intensity seemed stronger inside.
“I have some here. I can wet them,” Debbie said. A minute later, she loaded Scarlett’s arms with the soaked towels.
“Take the baby out, I’ll get Caleb, Tyler, and Faith,” she said, pushing her toward the fire escape. The sound of a wall falling in the community center spurred her to move faster as the heat intensified.
“I can’t leave them. They’re all I have,” Debbie struggled and sobbed.
“Listen to me. The baby can’t breathe in this thick smoke. Get her out, and I’ll find the children,” she called.
“I’ll take her down and come help you,” Debbie said as Scarlett helped her out the window.
“No, the fire department will be here. Stay with Beth,” Scarlett said firmly before turning around and dropping to her knees.