A/N: I'MMMM BAAAAACK!
chapter10
Merlin was smiling and staring down at the cell in his hand. Arthur had texted him all day during the classes they didn't have together, and it came to the point where the phone buzzed just as the teacher had passed Merlin. The minute class was over Merlin texted Arthur.
Thanks a lot. You're lucky Mr. Smith doesn't know the difference between a calculator and a cell phone buzz.
Arthur texted back.
That's a history teacher for you. Meet me at the gym room, I need a kiss.
Merlin blushed and bit his bottom lip.
"On my way." He said low as he texted.
XOXOXOXO
Arthur looked up from tieing his shoe in the indoor tennis court on the first floor, then got back up and dug in his pocket. The blond frowned. "Where's my phone?"
XOXOXOXO
Merlin smiled as he brought his phone in his pocket then used one hand to hold his books and the other to reach out and push the gym door open. When he was inside, his smile faded to a frown. "Arthur?"
No answer.
Merlin walked inside until he was near the seats of the empty gym. He laid his books down and gulped nervously as he looked down at his buttoned shirt. The boy bit his lip, then reached up and undid the first two buttons, making sure Arthur could see his collarbone. Then he pulled his shirt out of his pants, so it hung loose. He wiped his face with his hands then smiled at nobody.
A smile that suddenly faded when he heard the small noice. Merlin frowned and looked towards the gym doors when he heard the small click, then slowly made his way over.
"Arthur?" He reached the door and tried to pull them open. Then when worry hit him hard. He pulled the door harder then harder. Then he pushed, hoping against everything that he just pushed the wrong way. He had done it before.
Now wasn't one of those times.
"Hey! Hey this isn't funny!" He pushed and pushed again. He jumped when someone banged on the door. He looked through the small square window and his eyes widen at who he saw there, holding a lit match and smiling. Merlin blinked confused. He looked down at his feet and just noticed the liquid beneath his shoes. He looked back up and shook his head violently.
Too late. The match was let go. Merlin jumped back when flames quickly flooded the doorway and where he was just standing. "No!" He yelled when he saw the person was now gone. "Don't leave me here!" He coughed when during his scream, the black smoke suddenly and very quickly entered his lungs, making him gasp and choke.
XOXOXOXO
Arthur was looking through his tennis bag for his cell when the alarm went off. He stared towards the door when it burst open and a frantic student ran in. "The third floors on fire!"
Arthur stared confused, as it took a second for the words to sink in, but he quickly realized what was going on when the students started screaming and running out of the tennis court. He left his bag behind and ran for the door.
In the hallway, there's was too much commotion to think. Everyone was screaming in panic, except a few teachers, who were trying to get everyone out the exit in an orderly fashion and in one piece.
Arthur had just exited when he saw someone he knew very well. "Mr. Ridge!"
The teacher looked at the blond.
"Mr. Ridge, where is Merlin?" Arthur asked worriedly as he noticed the head of raven hair was no where in sight.
The teacher tried holding his breath as he helped to lead the last of the students out. "Merlin didn't come to my class today."
Arthur's brows narrowed. "What?" He whispered. "He never misses your class."
Mr. Ridge shook his grey-haired head. "I tried calling his parents, no one picked up."
"Merlin's in school today!" Arthur argued. "I was with him this morning."
The older man shook his head and moved out of the way to let the firemen pass inside the school. "Then he's around here." He looked around the hundreds of students. "It'll take some time."
Arthur looked around and he quickly ran towards the other students. Some had ash and their faces blackened. Probably the students who were on the third floor at the time of the fire. Arthur shook his head and looked around hoping to see a familiar face. He finally did.
"Willard!"
The teen looked towards Arthur. "You're alright!" He stated towards the blond.
"Yeah. Listen, have any of you seen Merlin?" Arthur looked to Tony and Steven.
Willard shook his head confused. "I thought he was with you." He said even more confused than he looked.
Arthur shook his head. "No. I was at my tennis practise, Merlin was supposed to be in Mr. Ridge's class, but Mr. Ridge said he didn't show."
Willard looked at the other two boys next to him then looked around the other students. "He has to be here." He said low.
"We need to split up." Arthur suggested.
"Why don't you use your phone? Call him!" Tony argued.
"I can't find it." The blond argued back, getting very irritated and even angrier.
Willard nodded. "Ok. I'll go with Arthur, check the left. Steven, Tony, you both check that side."
Arthur nodded then quickly made his way towards the other side, Willard walking after him. Just as Arthur was almost there, the school door burst open, two firemen running out and calling for a paramedic. Arthur stared confused as the two walked past him, but when a third came out, carrying a bundle in a firemen's jacket, Arthur broke down.
"Merlin!" He ran up to the man carrying the boy, but was quickly held back when a few paramedics pass pulling a gurney on wheels. The blond stared wide-eyed. "What's going on!" He yelled.
He watched as Merlin, covered in ash and soot was layed on the gurney and the paramedics quickly began hooking breathing machines to his nose and mouth.
Arthur stared around like a lost confused puppy in a crowed street. "What's happening?" He whispered. He took a step forward and when he felt someone grabbed his arm, the blond harshly pushed them then ran towards the gurney.
He was about three feet. He could see Merlin just laying there, looking fragile and broken and... dead. Arthur froze where he stood.
"Is he dead?"
One paramedic looked towards him. "Listen kid, you can't be here."
"Is he dead!" Arthur ran towards the gurney and reached to grab Merlin's face in his hands.
"Kid, you can't be here!" He was pulled before his hands touched the boy.
"Merlin!"
There was suddenly a long beep. All the paramedics turned to the machines hooked up to the boy. "Let's go! Let's get him out of here!"
Arthur could only watch as two medics pushed the gurney towards the ambulance, while another straddled Merlin's tiny body and began CPR. Arthur was finally let go when the ambulance was taking off, and he didn't have time to reach it.
Arthur looked towards the school where the door opened again and more firemen came out. One holding a very small red pump in his hand. He walked up to Mr. Ridge. "You said the boy's name is Merlin Emrys?"
The teacher nodded sadly. "Yes. That's his inhaler, he's had asthma since he was a baby."
The fireman shook his head angrily. "We're going to need to investigate."
Mr. Ridge stared back worriedly. "What's going on?" He said low.
"We think the fire was intentional." The fireman explained. "Not only was the blaze blocking the entire exit, the doors to the gym were locked from the outside, leaving no way for the boy to escape."
Arthur's brows narrowed. "What?" He walked closer to the man in the orange suit and grabbed his arm. "Are you saying someone tried to kill Merlin?"
The fireman looked the blond up and down. "I'm afraid I can't share that information with you."
"He's my boyfriend! I love him! Now tell me!"
The fireman shook his head. "I'm sorry kid." Then he turned and left the scene.
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