Out Like A Flame // Open

[ALEXIS JASMINE FLETCHER]

She felt something slimy hit her leg and she grimaced, releasing what had just happened. He’d just thrown up on her. The thought made her feel ill and had she been able to smell it through the burning, she too probably would have emptied her guts. She didn’t recognise the voice which could only mean that it wasn’t Jamal’s hand that she had grabbed. Not unless he’d suddenly decided to take on the Scottish accent and she highly doubted that would be the case. ”Ohshit! You’re not…” She realised then that she didn’t actually know the guys name. Realising that she still held the newcomers hands, she released it instantly. ”I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Are you okay? Is there anyone else with you? Can you walk?” She crouched in front of the guy, trying to get a better look at his face through the darkness, though it proved difficult.

Where had Jamal disappeared to? Her eyes strained through the darkness as she tried to look for the other guy. Great! she thought. This is turning into a fantastic game of find one lose one… She turned her attention to the man she had just found. ”There’s someone else in here. We need to find him, can you move?” she said again. She stood and held her hand out, offering him assistance in getting to his feet. Then she heard his voice somewhere in the distance. ”Here!” She yelled in response. ”I found him! We’re over here! Follow my voice!” She continued to call out to Jamal until he was with them again.

Alexis kept her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She didn’t like that sound. It was all too familiar. Chunks of ceiling pebbled off of her head as she ducked. Let’s go! She didn’t need to be told twice. She moved as quickly as she could, scrambling over debris. She stumbled again and this time wasn’t able to regain her balance. Hitting the floor, she screamed out in agony as the wedge of wood was driven deeper into her flesh. She clutched at her precious arm, holding it close to her chest as a single tear left a clear track through the soot that caked her face. She clenched her teeth and did her best not to breathe too heavily as she got back up. It hurt so much. ”How far?” she asked weakly. Now that everyone was together, they could make their escape. She hoped.

[esca]

Phineas Murdoch was promptly hauled to his feet between the man and woman who had discovered him. Like a damsel in distress he stumbled along with them without question and narrowly avoided the incoming concrete ceiling. Sweat and tears streaked the ash on his face until he looked like a coal miner; he glanced at the other two, who looked equally as filthy.

He spat, the taste of bile still lingering. His burnt hand throbbed but since the woman released her grip his soul sang with sweet relief.

What had happened?! His thoughts whirled with questions as he struggled to recall the moments up until he fell asleep but his drug addled mind could not focus. Had he left a lit cigarette, was he the cause of the inferno, surely not? The fire must have begun at the other end of the building; otherwise he would almost certainly be dead right now! Talking of smokes, damn he really needed on. He paused and withdraw a cigarette form his top pocket and placing it between his lips lent forward to light it on burning door frame he passed. The act was causal and out of place amidst the chaos of the crackling flames, the dense smoke and falling debris.

Phin noticed the odd glance the woman gave him, he found himself thinking she was pretty smoking hot herself. Had he not been dancing with death he may have laughed out loud at the thought.

All this running blindly, did these people even know the way out?!

Oh god he couldn’t breathe. His lungs were getting tighter and tighter despite using his inhaler.
“Fuck.” He swore, one hand clutching his chest as he tried to match pace with the others, he was in trouble. But still he did not toss the cigarette.

He reached out, finger tips brushing the man in front. He tried again and caught him by the arm with his good hand. He pulled him close so he could be heard over the din of the flames. “Do you know where we’re going?” He spoke directly to his ear, lips brushing the man’s skin.

[JAMAL ANISH RAO]

"Sitting on the side waiting for a sign,
hoping that my luck will change."

At the call of Alexis' voice Jamal managed to trace her whereabouts. Not only had he found her, but he had found another survivor. For a split second Jamal was unsure if the man was living, or living-dead, ie a zombie. Thankfully he was not the latter. If they had managed to find someone else in this inferno, then how many more were in need. Furthermore, how many had died right in this building? Jamal was not ready to go hunting for any more survivors however. If they hung around any longer they would succumb to the flames, or be crushed under the debris falling from the ceiling.

It was then Jamal noticed the man smoking. Smoking in the middle of a fire disaster? How strangely hilarious. The young man himself was a chain smoker, though even he could not go to those lengths to get his smoking fix. "You smoking?!" Jamal voiced his thoughts rather spontaneously. Another crash thundered down from around them as the male grabbed Jamal's arm. Jamal didn't weigh much, and he struggled to tug him to his feet before he was knocked off his feet himself. He was attentive as the other man spoke to him, and with those words, Jamal did a frantic search on his surroundings. Finally his worried eyes rested on Alexis as if silently searching for an answer. He was not too sure. Though he gulped down hard, not letting his doubts get the better of him. "Of course! I'm a bloody taxi driver!" Jamal bellowed in return. He didn't know if he was saying that for reassurance or humor. Perhaps it was both.

Being a taxi driver had its perks. Being able to navigate was one of them, and Jamal was often attentive on his surroundings. Though the smoke and freshly fallen debris really did not help. Hands touched the wall again, using his palms to edge his way along the wall to avoid the flames. The corridor was barely recognisable. He knew that the open window was down this way. Already he felt a sting on his side where he had been burned. The skin was throbbing and sticking to his shirt, and Jamal knew that it was not sweat that made it stick. His head was thumping, throat dry and chest was heavy. The heat was unbearable. "Holy shit I'm Indian and even I can't take this heat!" Once again he voiced. Why was he saying such random things? Perhaps the heat had really got to his head. Besides, he grew up in Britain and only visited India a few times - it was not like he was used to heat to begin with. "Hey!" He called out to the brunette. He really needed to learn her name. Jamal felt rude saying 'hey' all of the time to catch her attention. Though in life and death situation, manners were not necessary. "Third door on the left right?" He shouted to her, making sure he knew where they were going. He needed reassurance that he was headed in the right direction. After coughing hoarsely, he readied himself, getting ready to make a dash for it.

Words: 526| Tag: *sings* I want to break free-e!
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