Room 602, Gu Xiaoer was awakened by the thick smoke. Her head was heavy and dizzy, her nose and eyes streaming. She got out of bed to turn on the light, only to find the power was out. Using the light from her cellphone, she looked outside then her groggy brain instantly cleared.
Her home was on fire...
For a good five seconds she was petrified, then a lungful of smoke hit her throat. She quickly remembered the fire safety tips her teachers had given her at school and was thankful she hadn't succumbed to sleep. She immediately found a wet towel to cover her mouth and nose.
Almost subconsciously, Gu Xiaoer touched the two keys hanging around her neck. One was for the apartment, the other was her mother's room key.
Gu Xiaoer thought her life seemed quite challenging. At five, she had experienced a flood. Now, at twenty-two, she was facing a fire. She had fought hard to survive, but it didn't seem to earn her any extra favor from the heavens.
Disaster always struck unexpectedly.
