There is nothing more terrifying than fire.

The orange tongues of flames lick the halls of the F.E.A.R. base, spilling out from under closed doors and filling the air with putrid smoke. I do not scream. I do not question. I run.

Of course, running from a burning building is only useful once you are on the outside of the building in the first place. Right now, I am effectively trapped.

Think Nökhör, Comrade. There are more exits than one in a building like this.

With all the smoke and blaring lights, it's hard to make out anything from all the destruction. I nimbly dodge around a flaming ceiling tile, careful to avoid the flames. I will not let myself get burned again, not after what happened at home. These flames are all to similar to when I was set on fire as a little girl...

I scan the room to keep my mind from those memories, memories of pain and fear. Right now, all I have to worry about is escape and survival. The heat of the flames smacks my face like a fiery wall, but I press on despite the watery tears in my eyes. Tears not of sadness, but of the absolute lack of moisture in the air.

I cough as I feel smoke filling my lungs. I stop, leaning by an unmarred wall to catch my breath. I rip a strip of cloth from the hem of my shirt and tie it around my mouth and nose. Hopefully I can protect myself from suffocation from smoke inhalation, even if it is only for a little while longer.

I press on, the fire burning a trail behind me. I can feel tendrils of heat on the back of my neck, but I don't dare turn back. To turn back is to die. Instead I keep running forward, hunching my back and keeping low to the ground to escape the fumes of the fire overhead. My throat and nose burn from the embers, and my mouth is dry as parchment, but with death pressing in from every side, I can't worry about any discomfort now.

"Hey! Open up! Help!"

Someone pounds on the door up ahead. I mentally sigh and sprint to the obstruction.

"Back up! I kick door in!" I shout. I don't wait for a response. Instead, I kick the door open with my heel. Big mistake.

I can't discern anyone in the room I have opened. That would probably be because the room is engulfed in spiraling golden flames. The leg of my pants catches fire, and I scream in agony. Go out, go out, go out, ouch! I internally scream, patting my leg with my hands, only causing more pain to them. I take a knife out of my utility belt and cut into my pants just below the knee. I remove the burning fabric before it can cause any more damage, then I keep running. Only I can't anymore. My leg is burnt badly where the flames hit, and I know I am going to need to stop soon or perish from exhaust.

But that isn't an option. I keep limping down the emblazoned hallway, looking for any means of escape. My hands burn, and I can feel them blister where the fire touched. Everywhere is painful, but the fear, adrenaline, and willpower keep me going.

XxXxX

Short chapter again, I know, but now that school has started up, it's getting harder to update during the week. I'll keep trying through! So here is Serek-Zauresh's fear world. I swear that the next chapter will be way longer.

Thanks for reading and God bless!