Giovanni opened his eyes to immediately be greeted by a blinding orange glow all around him. With furrowed eyebrows, he frantically looked around the familiar room, his childhood bedroom. Flames licked at the walls, casting an eerie flickering light over the surroundings. The intense heat made him sweat as he tried to shield himself with his arms. He could hear the crackling and the fire roaring.
His heart raced as he clutched his worn teddy bear tightly to his chest, seeking comfort from it. The soft, furry item was the only thing that kept him from breaking down in tears.
"Mommy!" he yelled, but there was no response.
Panic coursed through him as he realised he was left alone in this burning inferno. His lungs burned painfully when he inhaled the smoke growing in the room. He blinked furiously, struggling to see through the haze.
