Chapter 1
I smell the fire before I hear the alarm, but only by a second. The shrill wail pierces the previous quiet and yelps of surprise ring through my dorm. The speakers blare the high pitched screeches through the school. I knew it wasn’t a drill. I fling my book across the room and drop down from my bunk. Grabbing my emergency pack, I motion for my roommates to do the same, and run through the doors of our room. With eight of my dorm buddies and my best friends Blaze and Aria close behind, I run straight through the hallways headed directly for the evacuation room. Then the sirens cease. I was sure it wasn’t a drill. I turn puzzled to my friends and their gazes reflect my confusion. Deep down I knew what was coming, but it didn’t stop the explosions from making the silent exchange between my childhood friends the last I would get.
