NOVEL NEXT Move
Chapter 37: Move
Chaos reigned as the flames devoured the apartment building. Amid the pandemonium, a woman's desperate cries rose above the din. "My children! Please, someone help! They're still inside! Apartment 302!"
Chris turned to Joy, determination etched on his face. "Stay here, Joy. I'm going in."
Joy grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Chris, no! It's too dangerous!"
"I have to try. I can't stand by and do nothing," he insisted, gently prying her fingers loose. "I'll be back. I Promise."
With that, Chris darted into the burning building. Smoke and heat hit him like a wall, but he pushed forward, navigating the maze-like corridors. He could hear the faint cries of the children over the crackling flames.
Outside, Joy watched in horror, clutching Chris's backpack tightly. "Please, Chris... come back," she whispered, her eyes never leaving the building as the fire grew more intense.
Chris followed the children's cries, finally finding them huddled in a corner, trapped by fallen debris. "It's okay, I'm here to help," he said, scooping them up in his arms. The path out was blocked by flames, forcing him to find another way.
Joy's heart pounded as fire trucks and ambulances arrived, firefighters rushing to combat the inferno. A sudden explosion inside the building rocked the ground, and Joy screamed, "Chris!!" She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
The firefighters worked tirelessly, finally gaining control of the blaze. Joy sobbed, her hope fading, until a gentle hand cupped her cheek. She looked up to see Chris, covered in ash and burns, but alive.
"Don't cry. I'm safe," he said softly.
Joy's eyes widened in relief and she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "You idiot! Don't ever scare me like that again!"
Chris winced, managing a playful smile despite the pain. "Ow... Joy, my burns... Hehe."
Joy released him, still teary-eyed but smiling. "Don't ever do that again," she scolded.
"I couldn't just leave them," Chris replied warmly.
"What about me?!" Joy blurted out, then quickly added, "I mean, if you died, I'd have no one to guide me. You're my personal guide, remember?"
Chris chuckled, touching her hand with his good arm. "I'm not going anywhere."
"First we need to take care of those burns," Joy said, looking at his injuries.
Chris nodded, and they made their way to the ambulance. As they climbed in, the hooded figure watched from the shadows, eyes glinting with hidden intent.
As the ambulance drove towards the town's hospital, Joy glanced at Chris, a sense of foreboding lingering in her heart. "Chris, do you think all of this has anything to do with Mayari's Temple?"
Chris looked out the window, his expression serious. "I don't know, Joy. But we need to be prepared for anything."
The ambulance sped through the streets, its siren wailing, as the hooded figure followed from a distance, blending seamlessly into the night.
30 minutes later, In the sterile, bright hospital room, Chris lay on a bed, his burns treated and bandaged. Joy sat by his side, worry etched across her face. A doctor entered, his expression grave but reassuring.
"Mr. Alcantara , you need to rest here for a while. We need to monitor your health closely," the doctor said.
Chris sighed, looking over at Joy with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry, Joy. This is wasting your time. You wanted to see the temple."
Joy shook her head, smiling gently. "We can see the temple tomorrow, Chris. Your health is more important right now."
Chris squeezed her hand, grateful. "Thank you, Joy."
Meanwhile, outside the hospital, the hooded figure scanned the area, its gaze sharp and calculating. It noticed two men in suits at the nurse's reception, speaking with the nurse. Recognition flickered in the hooded figure's eyes—these were the same men seen in Robert's restaurant.
The hooded figure backed into the shadows, careful to remain unseen.
Elsewhere, Stefan Agapov sat in his limousine, a phone pressed to his ear. "Yes, I'm here," he said, his eyes gazing out the window at the town of Narra. His expression was unreadable, a mask of calm that hinted at the storm brewing beneath.
To be continued...