I looked at the wall of fire between us.

My cotton uniform was dry and flammable.

One spark would set me on fire.

But Ethan was coughing violently now, his head dropping.

The smoke was taking his air.

I had to move.

I took off my apron and wrapped it around my face.

I prepared to leap through the barrier of flames.

Just then, a loud metallic thud echoed from the corridor behind me.

The heavy steel emergency door began to slide down from the ceiling.

It was halfway down.

Once it touched the floor, we would be sealed in.

The red emergency light on the wall began to flash.

It cast a bloody hue over the smoke.

I saw a shadow move near the closing door.

Someone was standing on the other side.

The shadow looked inside, then turned away.

It was another of the suitors.

I called out for help, but my voice was choked by the smoke.

The shadow disappeared.

They were leaving us to burn.

I turned my back on the exit.

I looked at Ethan.