Scarlett: I love a good cliffhanger :-)

Chapter Thirty-Three

The 'Alice in Wonderland' book was gone as well.

"Oh god, please be outside," Connie mumbled, running her hands through her hair.

She couldn't believe that she'd been stupid enough to leave her alone. It wasn't even as if she could call out to her. She wasn't talking so she wasn't going to shout back, was she? Connie sniffed and the burning smell grew stronger and stronger. She had to get out of the ED and just pray that Lily was by the assembly point with the other colleagues.

"Charlie!" She spotted him as soon as she walked out of the nearest fire escape. "Have you seen Lily?"

"I thought you were looking for her," Charlie said to Connie.

"No," Connie whispered, shaking her head. "Please don't say that."

Iain couldn't help but overhear. He stormed over, grabbed Connie by the arm without thinking, and made her look at him.

"Where is she?" He asked, putting his face close to hers. "Mrs Beauchamp, is she still inside?"

"Let go of me, Iain," Connie whispered calmly. "I'm sure she's fine. We'll find her, I promise. The fire brigade are on their way and..."

"That doesn't make it okay though, does it?" Iain cut her off. "I need to go back inside."

"Iain, no," Charlie scolded him. "It's too dangerous! Wait for the fire brigade!"

Iain pushed him away and hurried towards the burning entrance of the ED. He heard Cal call after him and immediately, he was following. He hadn't expected anyone to run in after him, and he didn't want to put anybody else in danger. He just needed to find Lily.

"Iain!" Cal coughed. "We need to get out of here before the whole place goes up in flames."

"I need to find Lily first," Iain said. "Now you're either with me, or you're not. It's your choice."

He coughed and squinted as the smoke hit his eyes. The front doors were on fire, the burning smell was catching in their throats, and Iain prayed that Lily was somewhere safe and away from the flames. He didn't want to think of anything terrible happening to her. He couldn't lose her.

Lily coughed as she raced up the stairs of the ED, her copy of 'Alice in Wonderland' clutched to her chest protectively. Although the flames were spreading slowly, she could still smell the smoke and she was scared. She wanted Iain, or even Connie. Why hadn't she followed Connie's instructions and got herself to the assembly point? She hated the fact that she panicked so much.

"Lily!"

The voice sounded familiar. It was Cal. What on earth was he doing inside? There was a loud crash and Lily turned her head to see part of the ED caving in. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she realised that she was going to die. She tried to call back to Cal, but the superglue was back and her words were stuck in her throat.

"Lils!"

Iain was shouting to her now. It felt so good to hear him. Lily tried to talk, but it was so difficult. She sniffed, sat on the floor with her back against the wall, and reached into her pocket. There was the iPod. She remembered what Connie had said though, how she needed to try talking without the distraction of music.

She could still smell the burning, and the faint sound of Cal and Iain rang in her ears.

She knew what she had to do.

She squeezed her eyes shut, tossed the iPod down the stairs, and screamed.

"IAIN!" Her eyes snapped open, and she felt shocked from the sound of her own voice. "Iain!" She shouted again, even louder.

The sound of feet were heard and Iain and Cal came running up the stairs, Iain throwing himself onto her as soon as he saw her. Lily burst into tears, clinging to him whilst sobbing hysterically into his shoulder.

Cal stood back and watched. Although surprised by the fact that Lily had said proper words, he didn't say anything. They had more important things to worry about.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Iain was crying himself now. "What happened, Chuckles?"

"I..." Lily didn't even care that Cal was there. "I was so scared, Iain! I didn't know what to do. I just panicked."

"Alright, it's okay," Iain whispered gently, running his hands up and down her arms. "I'm here now."

"Guys, I have to break this up," Cal said. "But we really need to get to the fire exit and get out of here, before we all turn into toast."

Iain nodded at Cal and stood up, taking Lily's hand in his. Lily squeezed his hand tightly and sniffed, as the two of them followed Cal away from the smoke and along to the nearest exit. Although Iain and Cal were both terrified themselves, they needed to try and put on brave faces for Lily. Iain could feel her trembling, as she gripped onto his hand. Her book remained tucked under her arm, as if it was her most precious thing in the world.

They made it out safely, coughing from the smoke, but alive at least. The fire brigade had arrived and were hosing down the fire as fast as they could. They'd all been lucky. It could have been a lot worse.

"Lily!" Connie yelled, running over in her heels as soon as she spotted her. "Don't ever do that again!"

"She's fine, Connie," Iain told her. "Just shaken up, that's all."

"Are you two okay?" Connie asked Cal and Iain, cross that they'd run into a burning building but happy that they'd managed to save Lily.

"We're fine," Cal said. "Really."

"I'm sorry," Lily said, as Connie hugged her. "I just panicked, I..."

"You're talking?" Connie's voice came out high-pitched and shocked. "Look, that doesn't even matter right now. You're safe, but we'll still need to get you checked out."

Lily just nodded against her.

"Mrs Beauchamp, do we even know how the fire started?" Iain asked, placing a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"No," Connie whispered, glancing towards the fireman whilst keeping Lily in her arms. "But I'll find out. Don't worry."

Bit of a shorter chapter, and maybe it seemed a bit rushed. I don't know. I hope it was okay x