Midnight Angel [Jenlisa FF]

~'~'~ Chapter 28 ~'~'~

Lisa's worst fear was confirmed as she rounded the bend in the driveway and her house came into view. Billowing black smoke leaked from several windows, through which she could also see the violent red flicker that signified fire. she slammed on the brakes before she got too close, jammed the car into Park and leapt out without even thinking to shut off the engine. The only on her mind was to make sure Jennie was out of the house.

"Jennie!" Lisa shouted, hoping that she was somewhere on the beach, safe from harm. No answer came.

"Jennie!" she screamed again while running toward house. There was no sign of Jennie anywhere. she couldn't see her or hear her.

Surely Jennie would have gotten out of the house by now. The fire didn't appear to be all consuming. She should have been able to get out. But what if someone had done something to her? What if she'd been taking a nap upstairs and was unaware of the fire? Lisa called to her once more, her eyes searching all around, pleading silently for her to be found. She saw nothing.

In the distance, Lisa thought she heard the whirring of sirens, but she couldn't be sure. The crash of the waves nearby on the beach, and the growing roar of the fire in her house masked all other sounds. she didn't know what to do. Jennie could still be inside the house. That was the only thought that mattered. And if she was still in there, she had to take a chance and go in after her. The fire department, if that's the siren she heard, might not get here in time.

Stripping off her suit jacket, she tossed them to the ground and was quickly up the front stairs. The fire looked to be coming from the kitchen area and somewhere near her office, but the front door looking unharmed. Carefully, she reached out a hand and touched the metal knob. It was cold. Thank God!

Lisa shoved the door open and was immediately surrounded by thick, black smoke. She choked on the vile mixture, waving a hand in front of her face, but it did no good. Dropping to her knees, she found clearer air and moved into the foyer. From her position, she could see a red glow coming from the kitchen and also somewhere to her right, either the living room or her office.

The kitchen was too dangerous to go near. she could already feel the blast of heat. Instead she crawled right, through the doorway to the living room. Sight was poor as smoke clouded her vision. she crept further in, squinting her eyes in a vain hope of finding Jennie, but she could see no sign of her.

"Jennie!" she croaked, gagging as her lungs filled with smoke.

Over the increasing howl of the flames, Lisa thought she heard something coming from somewhere behind her. She turned swiftly and headed on her knees back towards the foyer. Sweat soaked her dress shirt, poured down her back and over her face. It was getting hotter by the second. she needed to find Jennie, if she was in the house, and get her out quick before the whole place was engulfed in flames.

As she crawled forward, Lisa didn't allow herself to think about the fact that Jennie may not be inside. In the back of her mind, she knew that, given the situation, it was likely someone had torched her home and that that someone could have taken Jennie, or worse, but she wouldn't allow herself to think about it. If she was here, she had to find her.

"Jennie!" she called once more. Over the cough that threatened to overwhelm her, she heard a faint reply.

"Lisa!"

The stairs. It had come from the direction of the staircase leading to the second floor. Jennie was still inside! "Jennie!" she bellowed, forcing the sound to come out as loudly as possible.

"Li-...Lisa!"

Lisa forced herself to her feet, eyes watering and lungs burning, she nearly tripped over the first riser. In a half-crawl, she rose the steps, hands feeling the smooth wood to keep her direction. At the contact with skin, she almost fell backwards in surprise. Overbalancing, she fell forward, collapsing on top of a prone body and slamming her head into something hard.