Burning Love to Ashes

Aiden and Ivy sat close in the back seat, practically glued together. Ivy, feigning concern, turned to Aiden and said, “Hey, your phone was blowing up with calls from Elena earlier, even on the emergency line. You think something’s wrong?”

Aiden scoffed, “What could be wrong with her? She left our home to rent her own place. She’s probably off enjoying herself. Last I heard, she’s planning to head back to her hometown, probably to see her mom.”

Ivy’s face showed worry, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. “I really hope it’s not because of me. I swear I didn’t mean to mess up the engagement party! Give me Elena’s number so I can apologize in person,” she said, her voice catching as she started to tear up.

Aiden grabbed a tissue and gently wiped away her tears. “It’s not your fault. She’s just being stubborn.”

As he sat up, Aiden’s hand tightened around the tissue. He pulled out his phone, staring at it for a moment. Curious, I glanced over and saw the last message I sent him on the screen:

[“I’m leaving. I wish you both happiness. Please don’t call or miss me.”]

After a pause, Aiden chuckled to himself and started typing a reply. [Where are you headed? Bella’s been missing you. She hasn’t been eating well. I’ll pick you up tonight and take you home.]

Bella is the Samoyed we raised together.

Suddenly, the driver slammed on the brakes, and both Aiden and Ivy lurched forward. Ivy snapped, “Can’t you drive properly? I almost hit my head!”

Aiden quickly opened the car door and bolted out, leaving his phone behind on the seat. The message he was typing didn’t even get sent.

Thick black smoke poured from the middle floors of the high-rise, creating a dark cloud that blotted out the sun. The firelight reflected off shattered glass, accompanied by the sound of explosions and a deep, rumbling roar.

A commander, just emerging from the fire, spotted Aiden and without a word, slammed his torn mask into Aiden’s chest. “Do you even realize how dangerous it is when a high-rise catches fire? You were the closest unit, and yet, every other team from the city arrived before yours! We’ve got ten dead and ten injured. You better start thinking about how you’re going to explain this to the public and the higher-ups.”

The first stretcher carried my body out. More injures followed. Out of respect, someone draped a white cloth over my remains, leaving only my limp hand exposed.

Aiden caught sight of the half-broken bracelet on my wrist and froze.

The commander’s voice was thick with grief and anger. “Aiden, lives are on the line; there’s no room for mistakes! This was the only fatality—a young woman in her twenties, burned to death. There’s barely anything left of her!”