Down the hall, I heard the sound of rushing footsteps.

Vivian’s voice echoed from the corridor.

“What is that smell?” she screamed.

“Is there a fire?”

She appeared at the open doorway, her silk gown rustling.

She took one look at the flames and gasped.

Her face went pale under her makeup.

“Oh my god,” Vivian whispered.

She did not step forward to help.

She stepped back, her heels clicking on the hardwood.

“The security system will lock the wing,” Vivian said.

“We need to get out of here right now.”

She turned and ran down the hallway, her footsteps fading quickly.

She did not look back for Ethan.

She did not call for Alexander.

She only wanted to save herself.

Celeste let out a dry, coughing laugh.

“See?” Celeste said.

“They only care about their own skin.”

She threw the empty alcohol bottle onto the floor.

It shattered, sending glass and liquid residue into the fire.

The flames flared higher, blocking the main exit of the study.

The heat was becoming unbearable.

I could feel the sweat dripping down my neck.