Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
The Iron Guardians are watching the house either for the rest of the week until the ex gets the picture, or until he's arrested. We have four guys on each shift during the night, and it's been a quiet guard job all things considered.
The other bikes park and we all do a quick meet and greet with the team coming in. It's protocol—we don't let anyone guard the house without verifying ID and making sure we know who's on site. It's a little over-the-top maybe, but with all the shit people try to pull to try and get past us, it's necessary.
"See you tomorrow," I tell the guys as I straddle my bike. It's been a long night, and I'm looking forward to a few hours of shut-eye before I work in the morning. I'm about to take off when one of the new guard's phones chirps an urgent alert, which he quickly checks. Something tells me to wait and see what's going on, even if it's none of my business.
The guy who gets the alert, Benji, is younger, so what he says next doesn't come as a surprise. "Ah, hell. I'm still signed up for Stonebridge U's emergency alerts. Sorry about that."
Fear prickles along my spine, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. "Is there an emergency?"
Benji reads the message, eyes narrowed, before nodding once. "Electrical fire at the west residence hall. I guess it killed the power, too. They're evacuating the building."
The residence hall. Emma. "Fuck." I gun my engine, barely pausing to shout instructions. "New shift, stay put. Don't let anyone get past you. Benji, call some of the other guys and send backup. I'm going to make sure everyone gets out okay."
I tear off into the night, adrenaline and worry mixing together to create a potent cocktail. Emma lives with a roommate, but that doesn't make me feel any better. The thought of her alone in the dark with the smoke rising makes my blood run cold. What if she's hurt? What if she's trapped?
My bike roars underneath me as I weave through traffic, ignoring any and all speed limits. A few minutes later, I'm pulling up outside the residence hall and a crowd of people are standing near the parking lot, watching the start of the blaze. I don't even stop, just kill the engine and run towards the building, shouldering past a few stragglers.
The fire isn't apparent from the outside of the building, but there's an eerie orange glow coming from the left side of the lowest floor, slowing climbing. Fire trucks are already on site, sirens echoing in the air as even more make their way to campus. Huge groups of students are outside in their pajamas and various other states of undress, and someone official-looking with a clipboard is taking names.
"Emma," I shout, looking around. "Has anyone seen Emma Lawson? Has she gotten out?"
A girl with her dark hair in a messy bun looks up at me, frowning. "You know Emma? She's not out yet. She's on the 8th floor, room 8-E."
I curse and whip out my phone, dialing Emma's number. Please pick up. She does, after only a few rings, but her voice is so small.
"Luke?"
"Emma, thank God. I’m here. Are you alright?" I barrel into the building, shouting over the sounds of the fire, the firemen, and the crowds of people.
"Luke, what are you doing here?" Her voice is faint, like she's not holding the phone to her mouth.
"Just tell me you're okay!" The smoke is getting thicker and there's no time to waste. I dodge the firemen trying to direct me outside and charge onwards, covering my mouth with the crook of my arm.
"I'm fine, but the sirens. Is there really a fire?" Her voice is small, terrified. "I'm hiding in my closet. I don't know why. I just panicked. Oh, should I run?"
A quick glance shows me that the fire department has the windows open, getting the blaze under control before it can spread to the higher floors. She's probably safe, but there's no way in hell I'm risking it.
"I'm coming." There's a fireman blocking my way now and I push him aside, too focused on getting to Emma. He yells after me, but I ignore him. I'm not leaving her up here alone.
I take the stairs two at a time and finally reach the eighth floor. I can hear the creaking of the building, the roar of the fire, and the shouts of the men below, but that isn't important. Finding Emma and getting her out is.
"Emma!" I bellow, shoving her door open. There's a little less smoke up here, and it's quiet. Empty.
"Luke!" A muffled reply comes from the end of the hall, and I dash towards it.
She's curled up in the corner of her closet, arms wrapped around her legs. Her eyes are wide and fearful, and she's trembling.