Ruthless Beauty

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I could smell the fire. It carries the awful fragrance of death and the cries of people burning. The thick wall of fire, higher than the gate's mansion, horrified me. Hindi pa man naipaparada ni Blake ang sasakyan ay tumalon na ako at mabilis na tumakbo patungo sa kung saan ang mga bombero at iilan sa mga tao ay nagkakagulo.

"Savannah!" pagalit na sigaw ni Blake.

I ignored him as my heart roared inside of my chest. Quickly scanning the crowd, I looked for my mother... Lolo Ferdie... Lola Amelia... Barin...

"They're not here..." halos naghihisterikal ko nang wika. I could hear the firefighters talking about the people trapped inside, and I burst into tears.

Kumalat ang hapdi sa dibdib ko nang makalanghap ng maitim na usok galing sa nasusunog na mansion. The flames are too high and it's impossible to get in. The fire is now running to the back cottage where we store the food for the animals.

"Mama!" I cried out loud. I frantically looked for her in the small crowd and my heart crushed when I couldn't see even a glimpse of her. I ran to the back door, sobbing out loud. The fire is getting stronger and there were sparks everywhere. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a huge shadow moved. Tumigil ako sa pagtakbo. The shadow kept moving back and forth through the fire.

Amidst the angry, red haze of fire, I saw Barin's crystal-blue eyes. Parang tumalon ang puso ko. He's trapped inside! He's whimpering and pacing back and forth, unsure how to jump from the fire.

"Barin!" I called to him, and he immediately turned. My face is covered with smoke, cheeks stained with tears as I shouted at him. "Come on boy, jump! Jump, please!" garalgal ang boses kong tawag sa kaniya.

Barin hesitated for a moment. He touched his paw to the flame and hissed angrily. Mas lalo pa akong naiyak. He's hesitating.

"Barin... please..."

"Anna!"

I saw Blake running towards me with a very dark look on his face. I ignored his anger and focused on Barin. He's still pacing back and forth. Hindi na siya makabalik sa loob dahil sa kumalat na apoy. Tanging ang maliit na espasyo na kinatatayuan niya ang hindi natutupok ng apoy at kung mananatili pa siya doon, I'd watch my pet die before my eyes.

"Barin! Please!" I begged again. "Come on! You can do it..."

Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay ni Blake habang tulo pa rin nang tulo ang luha ko. A shrilling, cold scream left my mouth when the chandelier inside collapsed, startling Barin and causing more fire.

For a moment, I thought he's just going to stand there, looking majestic as the fire engulfs him alive. But my brave cat jumped as high as he could. His left hind leg caught fire, generating a low growl from him but he continued to run as fast as he could while the back door behind him is collapsing.

Sinalubong ko si Barin ng mahigpit na yakap. I got hurt from the fire on his fur but I didn't mind it. Burying my face into the crook of his neck, I cried harder.

"You're such a good boy, Barin..." I whispered through my tears.

"Anna, let's go." Ani Blake na kanina pa nag-aalala para sa akin. The fire is getting bigger and bigger. Umuusok na pati ang mga mata ko.

Weak from what had just happened, I pulled myself up. Hindi makalakad nang maayos si Barin. Hindi ko binitawan ang collar niya at mabagal kaming naglakad patungo sa harap ng mansion.

"Lolo!" I cried. Doon ko pa nabitawan si Barin nang makita ko ang Lolo na isinasakay sa stretcher. He's knocked unconscious and I saw a huge, deep red on his stomach. Parang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko sa nakita at gusto nalang manghina. "Lolo..." I cried as I held his hand.