2
Г
My stomach was killing me.
Chad’s mom woke up from the smoke
inhalation and tried to stop me.
“Chad, your wife and kid are in here!”
I paused, listening to see if he had stayed.
But all I heard was his feet moving further
away.
A cabinet fell and blocked my way out.
I wetted the last of the water on the towel
and gave it to his mom.
She was crying, but more sirens were heard
outside.
Г
Chad must be bringing Brittany to the
hospital.
My clothes had caught fire and I was about to
give up when I heard a voice outside.
“Ma’am, the security officer said he did not
see you leave. Are you still inside?”
I yelled out and someone wearing a fire
extinguisher walked inside. I passed out after
that.
I woke up outside the building with Chad’s
mom.
Chad’s coworker, John, saved us.
His face was black from the smoke.
He smiled. “I heard you!” He said. “Brittany
said the house was empty.”
وو
Then he collapsed.
The crowd started calling ambulances.
We were all ok, but Chad’s mom needed
special attention, and John breathed too
much smoke.
Chad got the news and showed up at the
hospital.
He slapped me and ignored the nurses.
“You crazy bitch! How could you kill
Brittany?”
“You weren’t home, but you came back to set
a fire and nearly killed John!”
“I can’t believe I married you. If they die, you
are a murderer.”
I had survived the fire and was slapped in the
face by my husband.
Brittany peaked her head out. “I know you
hate me, but have you thought about who you
are hurting?”
Then, she coughed up blood.
Chad kicked me while I was on the ground.
“Why didn’t you burn in the fire?”
“I should have left John to die!”
Г
He looked down at me with hatred.
Brittany was smiling under her mask.
I didn’t have any more strength to fight.
There was blood on the floor.
I tried to yell “Doctor” but I could barely say
- it.
Chad laughed. “Doctor? You’re hurting them
too.”
I stared at the man in front of me.
Before Brittany, he was happy about the
baby.
く
He even had a name for it.
Chad said he was going to honor me with a
perfect gift.
Now, he covered Brittany’s eyes.
“Gross.”
