Devoted To You || Gilbert Blythe

IV

"Anne?" I yell. Panic settles in my chest when I see her run into the flaming house.

"Anne! No!" Diana yells.

Anne is truly psychotic. Who in their right mind runs into a burning building.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Marilla yells.

"It's Anne! She ran inside!" Diana continues to cry.

The mothers grab ahold of Marilla as she tries to run after her. "Let me go! No! I need to get Anne!"

She's right. That smoke will surely kill her. I decide to go against my gut for once and I run towards the house.

"Ada, get back here this instant!" My aunt Eliza yells for me. I dunk myself in the water and go to a side window. I slide it open and enter the house. I immediately hear some atrocious coughing.

"Anne?!" I yell as I navigate my way through the walls of fire. I hear more coughing but it sounds closer. I duck down to avoid the rising smoke. "Make more noise! Please Anne!"

"Over here!" She wheezes.

I feel my body slowly get weaker. The smoke was definitely getting to me and fast. I turn to the left and see her. With the last bit of strength in me I stand and pick up her limp body. I turn to the door but right as I do the wood from the second story falls through blocking our way out. I slowly make my way to a window. I try to open it but the lock was jammed. I bang as hard as I can on it. Trying my best to alert someone.

My hand eventually breaks through the glass, I wince at the sudden pain but yell, "Help!" My vision goes blurry and I pass out.

____________________________

"Ada. Please wake up." I hear a deep voice whispering over me. My eyes flutter open and I begin to have a coughing fit.

My vision clears up and I see my brother. "Oh thank God." He whispers.

I feel a pant in my head and chest. "What happened?" I groan as I sit up.

"Take it easy, sis." He whispers as he steadies me. "You inhaled a lot of smoke. But Gilbert pried the window open and we got you and Anne out."

I can't tell if my heart was fluttering or if the smoke in my lungs was swirling around. But either way Gilbert saved me, how could I ever repay him for that.

"Alright, it's settled. The Gillis family will be billeted out to the Barrys, the Cuthberts and ourselves."

I smirk at Alexander. "Glad we aren't stuck with them."

Alexander shakes his head. "That's not nice."

I shrug. "Neither are they."

"True but we must be kind." He adds. "You know better."

"I was kind enough when I went in and saved Anne." I say sarcastically.

"And brave." I hear a voice speak up from behind me. I turn and see Gilbert. He sits down on the ground beside me. "I mean really. I can't believe you ran in and saved her like that."

"She's my friend. If I wouldn't have done it, no one would." I shrug.

"How's that hand?" He asks.

I look down at my bandaged, bruised, and bloody hand. "It could be worse." I whisper.

"I apologize if it's too tight. It was hard to tell since you were sleeping." He grabs my hand and examines it some more. Making my heart flutter more.

"What? No Mother!" I turn and see Ruby.

"Ruby?" Mrs. Gillis exclaims.

"I don't want to stay there! Why can't I stay with Diana?!" She cries.

"That's enough. The plan is set." Her father scolds her.

"What's that about?" Gilbert whispers. His breath on my neck sends chills up my spine. Oh no. If Ruby sees me with Gilbert she'll surely hate me then.

"I'll never live it down! Please don't make me!" Ruby yells.

"I won't have any more of this. After the events of this evening, you should be grateful to have a bed to sleep in at all."

"Ungrateful little brat." I mumble.

"What was that?" Alexander asks. My eyes widen.

"We need to get home." I cough. He nods.

"Well let's go then." The boys stand and follow me to the carriage.

____________________________

"Gilbert be sure to alert your father that our calf has arrived and will be ready for sell in a few weeks." Alex says as we unload the carriage.

"I will. Thank you again for the ride." Gilbert adds.

"Anytime, and you're more than welcome to ride with me to the Gillis house since we'll be working together there." He says.

Gilbert nods and turns to me. "And what will Miss Ada Faye be doing on her week off?"

"Cooking, cleaning, everyday house wife things." I joke around.

"In that case will you please bring us some chicken broth tomorrow?" My brother whines.

"Oh yes that would be divine. Especially in this awful weather." Gilbert adds.

"Of course I will. It's not like I have anything better to do." I shrug.

"On that note I will see you two tomorrow." Gilbert tips his hat before turning on his heels.

"Goodbye!" We wave to one another. I smile and turn back to my brother who has a teasing expression.

"House wife things?" He asks teasingly.

I roll my eyes and punch his arm. "Oh hush!"