A/N: Hi, I'm so sorry it's been so long. Our Internet was down for about a week and then I was on a trip to a small town in Colorado, not Everwood, unfortunately, hehe. I was there for about ten days and had no access to a computer. So, please forgive my tardiness in posting this chapter. The story is just starting to get interesting so, enjoy. Remember to review.

Chapter 4: Trying to Breathe

"Oh my God, no," Amy whispered as she looked out into the front of Mamma Joy's. The sight her eyes beheld was terrible, horrible, and incredibly frightening. Everwood's favorite diner was filled with hot orange flames. Fire licked at the edges of the small cozy booths and tables. Flames raced up the painstakingly made curtains and smoke billowed throughout the once quaint and comfortable small-town diner.

Ripping her eyes from the scene, Amy glanced back at her friend, growing quickly more alarmed. Ephram had quit coughing but what he was doing now was much more frightening. With his eyes at half-mast and his body sprawled on the floor, Ephram quietly struggled, only drawing in a shaky breath every once in a while. Amy could see that if she didn't get his inhaler soon, he would stop breathing completely. She wouldn't allow him to die. No, if they were going to die tonight, it would be because of the giant pillars of flame that shot up on the other side of the diner, not because of a simple asthma attack.

Pulling in a deep breath, Amy turned back to the door and looked into the room full of fire. Her eyes roamed over the front of the diner, searching for Ephram's bag. There it was, resting on the counter. Amy said a silent prayer of thanks when she realized that the flames had not yet reached the area.

Amy started to go into the inferno but hesitated in fear. For several agonizing moments, she debated on whether or not to risk her life for Ephram's inhaler but as she stood silently, she heard him strain to catch a single breath. Her mind set, Amy took her first step into the blaze.

With her eyes focused on the gray and black backpack, Amy quickly ran the back of the restaurant to the counter. She grabbed Ephram's bag and hurried back to the kitchen, slamming the door behind her. Releasing the breath she had been holding, Amy dumped the contents of the backpack on the floor and sifted through them, looking for his inhaler. Seizing the white tube, Amy ran over to Ephram's nearly unconscious body.

Dropping down next to him, Amy attempted to bring the teenager to full consciousness. "Come on, Ephram. Look, I got your inhaler. I don't know how to use it so you have to stay awake for me so I can help you. Ephram, open your eyes and sit up. I can't do this alone." Amy begged her friend. Upon seeing his bleary green eyes flutter open and his head weakly nod, Amy smiled in relief. She took his hand and cupped it around the inhaler and using her own hand to support his, she brought the device up to his mouth and held it as he pumped the medicine into his body.

After several deep releases, Ephram signaled for her to drop his hand. Amy carefully set the inhaler on the ground and gripped his hand as he took numerous long restorative breaths. After a minute, Ephram was breathing normally again, but Amy knew it wouldn't last long. She was aware that the smoke from the fire was what made his asthma act up and since the fire obviously hadn't gone away, she knew that Ephram's easy breaths were only temporary. She dreaded telling him so.

"Ephram, are you alright now?" Amy asked, deep concern in her eyes.

Ephram softly smiled and nodded. "I think so." He said hoarsely. He slowly stood up and pushed himself off the wall, still holding her hand and pulling her up with him. Once were both settled on their feet, Amy threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, as if he would disappear if she didn't pull him close enough.

"God, Ephram, don't ever do that to me again. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. You were so pale and I was sure you were going to pass out. I thought you were going to die and, god, Ham, I don't know what I would do if I lost you." Amy sobbed, tears dripping onto Ephram's shirt.

Ephram held her and rubbed her back trying to sooth her tears. As much as he hated that she was so upset, a small part of him rejoiced to know that she cared so much. "It's okay, Amy, I'm all right now," but even as he said the words, Ephram felt his throat begin to close up again and he silently swore.

"Look, we need to get out into the fresh air. It's too stifling in here and I can already feel my asthma acting up again." Ephram pulled Amy away far enough to look into her eyes. That was when he noticed that she was hesitating, holding something from him. "Amy what's wrong? What aren't you telling me?"

Amy stiffened in shock. As always, Ephram knew exactly what she was feeling. She swallowed hard, preparing to tell him what was wrong. "I know why you had your asthma attack."

"What?" Ephram was confused. "I know why I had my attack too. It's hot and stuffy back here."

"No, Ephram, that's not all." Tears ran down Amy's cheeks as she struggled to speak. "There's. There's a fire."

"What?"

"The front of the diner... it's on fire. Everything outside that door is covered in flames. You had your attack because of the smoke and if we don't get out of here soon, you're going to have another one."