Hello Ashley

Red.

Blazing red.

Heat.

Intense heat.

She shielded her face with her arm from the searing flames while her hand covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from inhaling the thick smoke that made breathing hard. With all her strength, she fought to escape the building.

Just a little more.

A little more.

THUD

Her heart pounded as she realized the ceiling was starting to collapse. The ash raining down made her chest feel even tighter. She held her breath and kept moving, sweat pouring down her face. Her hands trembled violently, a clear sign of overwhelming fear. Time was running out. Gathering every ounce of willpower, she pushed through the thick smoke. Just as she reached the emergency stairs, a cry stopped her.

"Help!"

"Help me!" The scream of a young girl startled her. There was someone else alive.

Without thinking, she followed the voice, her feet carrying her to a door. When she tried to open it, she realized it was locked.

"Help me!" The voice grew louder.

"Hey! Are you okay? Can you get out?!" she shouted as loud as she could.

"Help me! My leg is hurt!"

Without fully understanding why, she tried to break the door down.

THUD

THUD

"Just a bit more."

She braced her body against one spot, slamming into it repeatedly, just like she'd seen in movies. Unsure it would work, she kept going—there was no time to waste. All she could think of was saving the girl.

After several attempts, the door suddenly gave way. Caught off guard, she stumbled into the room, hitting the floor hard. Dazed, she realized she was inside an apartment engulfed in flames.

"Help me!" The girl's voice was weaker now.

She clenched her fists, dragging herself up despite the smoke burning her lungs. Coughing and disoriented, she staggered forward.

"Where are you? I'm inside!" she shouted.

"Here!"

She followed the voice, passing through the burning living room. It led her to a bedroom, which was thankfully unlocked. When she opened the door, she could barely make out the figure of a small child curled up in pain next to the bed.

"Can you walk?" she asked, approaching her. The girl shook her head slowly, holding her leg, which was blistered from burns.

"Are you alone here?" The child nodded.

Before she could ask more, the ceiling above them started to collapse. The wooden beams intensified the flames, making the fire spread faster. She stumbled backwards, instinctively shielding her head.

"AAAAAARGHHHHH"

"Help me!"

The screams jarred her. She wanted to help the girl, but the fire was growing fiercer. If she stayed, she would risk her own life. The dilemma tore at her—the child was crying out in helpless agony, but staying any longer meant certain death.

With a heavy heart, she stood up, glanced at the girl one last time, whispered an apology, and fled the apartment. Faintly, she heard the desperate cries begging for her to return. She blinked rapidly as the girl's final scream echoed in her ears.

"HEEEEELPPP!"

"ARGHHHHHHHHHH"

She jolted awake, gasping for air like she had just run a marathon. Her heart raced wildly, causing a sharp pain in her chest. She noticed her shirt was drenched in sweat. Still in shock, she looked around and was greeted by a familiar sight.

A bedroom. She was in her bedroom.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly. Her hands still trembled, though less violently now. Clenching her fists tightly, she tried to stop the shaking, but it didn't help. Frustrated, she collapsed back onto the bed, letting out a scream.

"Damn it!"

"Why?"

"Why does it keep haunting me?!" she asked in a raspy voice.

"Why?!"

"Why?"

Her voice grew heavier, breaking. Without realizing it, tears streamed down her face, flowing faster and faster. Soon, she was sobbing uncontrollably. She hugged herself tightly, trying to soothe the pain inside, but no matter how hard she tried, the hurt would never fade.

It never could.

It never would.