From Fire, Into Darkness
Smoke.
Smoke and ash.
The first thing he sees as he wakes. Wincing, he sits up as he hears yells and sounds of chaos all around him.
And running.
He hears running.
He turns to see no one through the smoke, but that doesn't stop his breathing from becoming shallow as the feeling of panic rises in him.
He shakily gets to his feet before shaking his head.
How did I get to this?
That's the first conscious and stringed-together thought he has. But as he tries to ponder, nothing comes before now.
What the_
"HEY!"
Gasping, he looks up to see a figure through the smoke, coming towards him.
What's going on?
But his instincts set in before thought, and he finds himself running the opposite direction.
"HEY WAIT! STOP!"
But he doesn't. He won't. He races his way through the smoky world until he finds a door, halfway open. He looks back once before entering through it and into a world cool and dark. He turns back to see a tawny shade become a part of the building, fire starting. He hesitates.
Should I go back…?
He looks up again when he hears muttering to see a crowd has gathered and is gathering still. He looks to them all in confusion as they look to him and the fire, eyes wide. He catches the gaze of one person in the crowd, a man with graying hair. Something about him….he couldn't figure out what….
The sirens make them break gaze. He turns to see a large engine followed by several smaller vehicles come towards the building. His breath catches and he runs.
Away from the fire.
Away from the man.
Away from everything.
And into the darkness.