I focus, and as if I was pulling on two large ropes, I bring the fire to me. I feel it wrap around my arms, and I have to control it. It tries to get higher on my body, but I need to contain it inside. I try to control my breathing, despite the smoke, to focus on this. Finally, I feel it. The heat increases, but the fire gets redder and melts against my skin. I'm not sure if it's really... safe, though. I grimace. It gets hotter. Much, much hotter than before. Is it because I can't absorb too much? My sleeves are long gone and burned, but more worrying, I see my actual burn marks extending, turning back to a darker color. Crap, I guess this means I can't hope for unlimited fire absorption...
"Get ready!" I yell to the couple.
From the corner of my eye, I see the woman get up first, her husband following her, and they slowly come behind me. I start walking, my arms still extended, and I keep channeling the fire to me. It's hard. I feel my skin starting to burn, really bad. I have to endure, we are almost at the doorway... We cross the living room and finally, as soon as we get to the door, they run to the stairs.
I can finally let go, and bring my arms down. Crap, that really hurts... Just as I'm taking a second to breathe, I notice the woman running back down to me. She has to stop a few stairs away, the fire is starting again behind me, and the smoke is horrible.
"My daughter!" she screams. "My Eréndira..."
I nod and go to the next apartment. The door breaks without any effort from me, and Spark jumps inside. Thankfully, the flames aren't there yet, looks like they took over the other apartment first. I run inside, hoping to find that girl still alive...
I follow Spark without thinking. The cat runs ahead, looking like he knows where to go, at least. He guides me to a bedroom and sure enough, I hear some crying. Two little girls are curled up in one corner of the room, holding each other's hands. Oh, poor things, they look terrified. Both run to me as soon as they see me. They hug me and start talking so fast, I take a full minute to realize it sounds like Spanish or something.
"Mi Abuela!" cries one of them. "I don't know where my grandma is!"
Wait, she's talking in a full foreign language and I understand? Did I know Spanish before? I don't know how but I get it all and even surprising myself, I nod immediately.
"I'll look for her, girls, but we have to get you two out of here first. Follow me really close, okay?"
Both nod and stay stuck to me. Spark meows and guides us out. If I had known, I would have given him a whole can of tuna! We make it to the living room, but something falls from above and the girls scream, panicking.
"It's okay, it's okay!" I yell.
There's no use, they are pulling my hands and panicking. I crouch down to carry them. They must be six or seven, I don't know, but it's hard for me to carry them both, especially when my arms are so burnt already. I bite my lower lip and ignore the pain to run to the staircase. The mother is still there, and her eyes brighten up when she sees us three coming out. She runs to grab her daughter out of my hands violently, but I'm not complaining about carrying less weight. The other girl gets down too, but she won't let go of my hand.
"My grandma..." she cries.
I nod.
"I'll go get her, but please get upstairs!"
The mother and I exchange a glance, and she understands right away. She nods and pulls the two girls upstairs with the strength of a lioness. At least those two are safe, but where the hell is the grandma?
I run back inside, ignoring the pain in my arms and this horrible headache. The smoke is definitely getting thicker, and the flames are growing. I need to find the old lady... I run to one of the bedrooms, but it's empty.
"Spark! Spark!"
Damn it, I lost the damn cat!
I'm really starting to not feel good. I need air, but I keep coughing from these disgusting ashes. I feel the heat in my arms getting worse too. I can't take in any more fire, I can barely feel my arms. I finally stumble to the kitchen. Oh, no... The grandma is unconscious on the floor. Is she still alive? I try to walk over to her, but the truth is, I'm not too good either. I see black dots obscuring my vision.
"Hey... Grandma..."
My throat is raspy as hell. I try to grab the grandma's arm, but she isn't moving at all. Oh, no, no... How do I check someone's pulse? Crap, I've seen Bonnie do it a hundred times... I keep pressing on her wrist. There! I can't believe it, the grandma's still alive. I let out a sigh of relief and at the same time, I want to cry. How the hell do I get her out of here? I can barely walk... Shit.
I look around for a solution, but there's nothing...
"Mara!"
The window next to me suddenly bursts open. I see two human silhouettes coming in, but just then, I can't help but close my eyes. Damn it... I feel that I’m being carried, and suddenly, a wave of fresh air enters my lungs. Someone puts me down on the asphalt, but I am too tired to do anything.
"Mara! Mara, can you hear me?"
"Can you do something?"
"I don't know, I've never healed a witch before... Boyan, bring the ambulance here! Come on, Mara, you have to hang on..."
Chapter 11
