Chapter 8
The last five minutes had been the most frightening, and the longest in her life. The scrambling about, shouting at people trying to keep everyone calm. After all Mrs. Hughes didn't consider herself that young anymore. "Is everyone out of the house?" panted Mrs. Hughes. "Everyone from upstairs is." said Carson. "Let me see, Daisy, O'Brian, Mr. Bates" said Carson as he listed off the people he saw around him from downstairs." Anna interrupted the Butlers train of thought when she whispered "My god Thomas he's not here." Ember was next to her and heard what she said, without a moment's hesitation she turned and ran. Mathew grabbed her arm as she ran past trying to stop her but she ducked down and ran into the blaze.
Dodging falling objects and jumping over burning debris Ember made it up the stair to the bedrooms. Mrs. Hughes had kept the key in the lock separating the male and female sleeping quarters which meant the door was locked in front of her. In hast she kicked the glass once then twice with her foot. After the second kick it gave way shards of glass piercing her unprotected foot and flying in every direction. Covering her face with her hand the rest of the glass fell to the floor. Grabbing the handle from the inside she opened the door. She could not use the key because it had started to melt into the metal lock. "Thomas!" she cried out as loud as her voice would allow due to the smoke inhalation. A slight sound came from the room to doors to her right. She found the door and opened it. Thomas was on the ground about halfway to the door, she noted that he was clutching his side and his leg was bent in a unusual position. "Let's get you out of here." said Ember with determination. She knew there was not easy way of getting Thomas down the stairs. She kneeled down and looked into his frightened eyes and said. "Trust me alright." With a small high pitched grunt or scream like sound she picked him up, one arm around one of his legs and the other supporting his head and arms that were slumped over her delicate shoulders. Only due to the sheer fact of adrenaline Embers started out the door.
There was panic outside; it had seemed like ages since Ember had left to go get Thomas. "Listen everyone," shouted Lord Grantham "We must go, head to the right the lake is the best bet. All the other ways are cut off because of the fire. Quickly now." Robert took Mrs. Patmore hand that was shaking and lead the way at a quick gait. The water was freezing cold, the December air stung everyone's faces and the frigid water weakened their legs. Some people were talking and other waited in silence. "She was very brave to even try and for someone like Thomas at that." said Mr. Bates regarding Embers actions. "She is his friend; I guess I just didn't know how good a friend she is to him. Let's pray John, for them, for us, for everyone here." said Anna and bowed her head. "Oh Mrs. Hughes," sighed Mr. Carson "what are we to do now?" "I don't know Mr. Carson , but we must trust that there was a purpose for all of it." said Mrs. Hughes. Everyone turned toward the shore when they heard coughing. Mathew and Lord Grantham ran and caught Ember and Thomas, both were exhausted. They were both a bit singed, their hair and clothes at least.
The fire had died out at around midnight and the staff were all outside near the lake lying down to exhausted to do anything else. The upstairs family was talking about what to do next.
What will happen next, I wonder… Review please and drop me an idea if you want.