Chapter 1
My head was spinning as I tried to understand what happened. I coughed as the smoke filled my lungs. Everyone was screaming as they tried to find their way out. But I couldn't move. Just then I heard a loud bang, followed by ear-piercing screams. I turned around to see that a burning beam had come down. In the bright light of the fire I noticed a figure. I wasn't sure but it looked a lot like Austin, my best friend. Suddenly I felt my feet glued to the ground. I noticed the crowd around me had gotten thinner. 'Austin!' I screamed. He turned his head towards me. He opened his mouth, but was clearly too weak to say something. 'Austin-' I didn't know what to do. 'The roof is collapsing!' Someone yelled behind me. Almost on cue, I heard another loud bang and a burning piece fell down. It had missed me by just a few inches. Tears stung my eyes. I looked at the burning fire behind me, then at the last students leaving the school and then at Austin. I ran. The sound of the fire faded as i could only hear my pounding heart. When i got closer to Austin, I noticed he was stuck. One of the beams had fell on his foot. I kicked it off him with my last bit of strenght. The fire was slowly closing in on us. 'Austin. Come on, we have to go!' His eyes closed for a moment. I shook his shoulders roughly.' Austin!' I coughed. HE was falling in and out of consciousness. I shook him again but to no avail. I had tears rolling over my cheeks. I was getting weaker every second. I looked at the door. I didn't know if I would make it, but against all odds I began to drag him out.
