Watching TV was Dave, a newspaper in his hand, ready to go to sleep, when the fire alarm made him jump right out of his skin. He looked around quickly for the fire, but found nothing. He sprinted upstairs, where Simon and Theodore were wide awake and huddling, staring at the bathroom, whose fire had spread all the way to the hall carpet.
"Aah!" Dave cried as he ran to them and began pushing them out of the hall. "Boys, run downstairs and outside! Wait, where's Alvin?"
Simon shook his head, his eyes big. He couldn't speak, he was in so much shock. Theodore was just crying hysterically. Dave ushered them out while he called 911. They eventually picked up and a bored person answered the phone dully, "Hello, police and fire station, what is the emergency?"
"A fire just began in my house! Please hurry; I think my son is trapped somewhere!" Dave said, trying to stay calm. Alvin's absence was worrying him beyond measure. Dave quickly gave his address then stayed on the line until they got there.
Alvin was running out of room. The fire was eating the wallpaper and above him, the carpets next to him were licking at his clothes, and the smoke was getting lower. Everywhere he could hear crackling. Everything was on fire, and it drowned out any other sounds in the house.
Alvin coughed harshly. The smoke burned his throat and eyes, making it hard to concentrate. He felt the fire come closer and Alvin felt the heat like never before. It was like he was sitting in an oven.
Alvin laid flat on his stomach and tried to get the last few gasps of air before he knew his time was up. With all the air he could muster, Alvin screamed, "Help! Someone save me!" But a coughing fit interrupted his cry. Alvin couldn't breathe anymore. He wheezed as he attempted to breathe, he gagged on the thick air, but it was like trying to inhale underwater: impossible. Alvin gave one last choked cry for help before allowing himself to slip into a painful unconsciousness, his short breaths wheezing terribly.