Clayton watched the clock on the dresser tick more and more as he tried to sleep. He didn't know why, but he couldn't sleep. No matter how much he tried to move comfortably, he couldn't. He didn't know if it was because of Yasmine, or because the person beside him couldn't stop talking.
Beside him, Nathaniel sat, hastily talking about the lack of progress they had made. Oblivious to the fact that it was mainly because of him. As he talked, the detective couldn't help, but think about the same thing. Hell, he would've made more progress with Yas, but instead she was with her mother, worrying and not being able to call him. Was she okay? It's literally been almost several hours since they've talked. Did she eat? Was she sleeping? Nothing seemed more important than making sure she was okay.
"How about we watch some TV. It would be a waste if we didn't use it." Nathan relaxed his shoulders on the section beside him as he began to hold the classic remote to turn it on. As the naïve man flipped through the channels, Clayton couldn't help but get more and more aggravated by the inconsistent sound. Couldn't he find something better to do? Like sleep maybe? It didn't long for Nathan to land on a channel. Clayton wasn't looking at the TV, but he couldn't help but hear everything.
"Hello! This is Jimmy Nelson. We're back with the terrible fire that has randomly upreared on 2435 Long street." The words caused Clayton to arise from his would-be satisfying slumber. The building was on fire? How? No one was supposed to be there, right? As they watched the screen, the news anchors kept stating facts from the investigation. It couldn't have been a gas fire, the flames weren't nearly as big as it would've been.
"Hey," Nathan's words began to stammer as his eyes scanned the so-called crime scene. "Ain't that your car?" The man's eyes eventually scanned the same car the other was referring to. A charcoal Kia Sorento, same rims, same tires, and same decorative stickers. It was alright. It had to be. Who else would she have invited? Other than him, and
Yasmine.
As he realized the situation, Clayton could feel his breath becoming more hitched. Yasmine wasn't with her mother, hadn't been. She's been there, struggling, fearing something… or someone. As he looked at the raging fire, he saw more than just flames. He saw death. He saw the ending of his wife's life if he didn't leave right now.
"Nate," He slowly started to stand up as he now realized what danger he was in. "Find the keys to Joe's car, now." Clayton immediately rushed to the kitchen, to search through the drawers. For what, some type of weapon. If there was anything making sure Yasmine couldn't get out, then they needed to be prepared. Anything would be better than nothing.
It wasn't long before Nathan returned with Josiah's keys. Still leaving some sort of question of what would they be okay with them leaving right now. He did say they could use it, but right now. It just seemed ill-treated. They didn't mean to take advantage, but this was necessary. As they walked outside to the "stolen" vehicle, Clayton could help but think to himself. Just about how long Yasmine was there? All day? Who knows how long it's been. Clayton could feel himself getting more and more unsettled. Who knows how long the building has been on fire. For all he knew, she could be dead, burnt into oblivion. Nothing left to identify. The sudden feel of Nathan's hand on his shoulder made him feel less anxious. After Nathan gave the indication he was driving, he quickly turned the key into ignition.
"We're not making it." Clayton looked out the window as he spoke. He didn't know when the fire started. He could've been in the hospital when she started to get trapped. But maybe, maybe she wasn't hurt. Maybe she made it out before anything started to happen. Maybe she just… left the car. Even the words didn't sound right. She wouldn't have left the car. It was the fastest means of escape, so it just didn't seem plausible. "She's dead."
"Don't give up, dumbass." The driver began to pick up the pace, making every car behind them beep in annoyance. "It is just as Vulcan does." His strange words of encouragement only brought a face of confusion from the other. "Vulcan! The god of fire. A.K.A the ugliest god, but still managed to marry someone so beautiful." Nathan continued to try and distract the other with his useless bantering of Roman gods. But the question still remained the same, was she alive?