It began to tilt forward.

Between Ethan and me, a solid wall of fire erupted from the spilled alcohol on the floor.

The path to him was completely blocked.

I could see his small face through the orange haze.

He was trapped against the brick wall of the chimney.

“Elena!” he cried out.

His eyes were wide with terror.

I looked around frantically for something to extinguish the flames.

There was nothing.

The heavy fire extinguisher was in the hallway, but the doorway was now blocked by the burning curtains.

The smoke was getting thicker, settling near the ceiling and dropping down.

I breathed in a mouthful of hot, ash-filled air.

My throat burned.

Celeste was gone, her figure disappearing into the dark of the balcony.

I was alone with the boy.

The other suitors were nowhere to be found.

I could hear distant shouting from the lower floors, but nobody was coming up here.

The high-security locks on the wing were beginning to click.

The automated system was sealing the fire doors to contain the blaze.

If those doors closed, we would be locked inside.