My eyes had trouble waking up at four am because I had a hard time sleeping.
I literally had to drag my legs downstairs for a cup of coffee and hoped it's enough to give me energy for the day.
Sooha appeared to have left on time and since I'm gonna be late if I eat, I just finished drinking a mixture of caramel coffee base and fresh milk in two gulps, quickly washed my face then brushed my teeth.
I ran towards the coffee shop carrying my change of clothes using the shortcut but I got confused at the weird lights coming from all directions.
The siren from a distance caught my attention and my lips fell in awe seeing thick black smoke coming from the shop at the end of the alley.
"No, no, please no…"
My heart is racing from physical and emotional distress. I kept praying to the heavens that this is not real, however, the back door's burnt wind just blew me a step back as soon as I managed to open the knob with a key.
I coughed a bit and had a hard time seeing anything at first.
The kitchen seemed to have been lit already so chances are, Sooha is in there somewhere and probably choking from the heat and polluted air.
I wanted to get in right away but there was fire crawling on the counters and wallpapers.
What shocked me was the ovens aren't the main cause of the fire or else the shop would've been blown by now and instead, that side of the kitchen is on perfect condition.
However, if I'm not careful, I might catch it before finding Sooha's location so I yelled from outside to check on her first.
"SOOHA!"
No response. I wanted to go around the block to look at the front if she got away but it would take more time for the fire to spread and I might not get in there on time even if I had the opportunity to do so.
"SOOHA! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"(Y/N)…"
It was faint but I think I heard her croaked voice on the right side, near the restroom and I'm guessing it's because she might've been yelling for help.
I quickly twisted and left the faucet open, then shoved the sink-stopper in to fill it with water. I soaked my uniform and squeezed the accumulated water over the boundaries to the ovens and ran back outside for another sip of fresh air.
Some people at the opposite end of the alley began blocking the way while the firefighters set up their equipments by foot because the road was too tight for their truck.
I opened the emergency flashlight on my phone and inhaled as much as I can as I covered my head with my wet uniform and crawled on the floor to avoid the flowing thick smoke.
The tables and chairs are thrown everywhere for some reason and have been burning so it was a struggle to reach the restroom at first.
I had to pick a small stool I usually use to reach the wall storage cabinets at the corner to clear a narrow path and even without the fire the metal footing was still hot to the touch.
I had to cover my nose with my uniform while pushing an L-shaped couch covering the restroom door that's been burning halfway.
I pushed it with all my might and opened the door. Sooha's on the floor unconscious so I had to pull her out before the fire completely blocks our way out.
My energy is depleting and I'm getting dizzy.
The reason was I couldn't manage to move Sooha without using both my hands and sacrificing my other hand.
I just tried my best to pull through yet my severe coughing is taking my breath away and the dark surroundings is making it all worse.
I finally arrived to the kitchen but my foot slipped at the wet floor and lost my balance.
Luckily the firefighters were able to find me just on time before the fire reached the ovens or else we will never get out of there alive.
Some reporters are trying to get an interview from me while one of the firefighters carried me to the ambulance awaiting at the back of the fire truck.
The cops stopped them from their tracks and helped me climb the steps after the doctors slide the stretcher inside.
I was sitting by Sooha's side when the ambulance took us to the hospital and she was still unconscious, while being treated by the emergency personnels because she appears to have a wound at the back of her head.
Meanwhile, a young, male assistant cut my burnt wavy waist-long hair all the way to shoulder-length and threw those into a trash bin before it spreads out even more.
I'm not sure if that's the reason I feel lightheaded, but either way, I eventually began feeling weak and fell asleep along the way.