Back in the library, a loud pop and a shower of sparks jolted them awake. Zack sat up, disoriented, while Eva rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of the situation. The once dimly lit library was now flickering with erratic light, casting ominous shadows on the walls.
"What's happening?" Eva asked, her voice laced with panic.
Zack looked around, spotting the source of the disturbance. "I think there's a short circuit," he said, pointing to the far corner where an electrical panel was sparking dangerously.
Before they could react, the smell of burning insulation filled the air, and small flames began to lick at the nearby shelves. The fire alarm blared to life, shattering the silence with its urgent wail. The sprinkler system sputtered, trying to activate, but it seemed the electrical fault had affected more than just the lights.
"We need to get out of here, now!" Zack shouted, grabbing Eva's hand.
They stumbled through the maze of shelves, smoke beginning to cloud their vision. Other students and staff, who had been scattered around the library, were now running towards the exits, their faces masks of fear and confusion. The fire spread quickly, fueled by the dry paper of countless books.
Just as they reached the main aisle, a loud crash echoed through the library as a section of shelving toppled over, blocking their path. The flames were growing, and the heat was becoming unbearable. Eva and Zack were trapped.
"Over here!" Eva called, pulling Zack towards a study nook with windows. She hoped they could signal for help, but the windows were too high and too narrow to escape through.
As they huddled together, smoke filling their lungs, Zack tried to keep Eva calm. "The firefighters will come. They'll find us," he assured her, though his own fear was barely contained.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited, the fire creeping closer. Just when they thought they couldn't hold out any longer, they heard the sound of glass shattering. A powerful beam of light cut through the smoke, and the unmistakable voices of firefighters reached their ears.
"Over here!" Zack shouted, waving his arms desperately.
Two firefighters appeared, their figures silhouetted against the blaze. "Stay low and follow us!" one of them instructed, his voice authoritative but reassuring.
Zack and Eva obeyed, crawling towards their rescuers. The firefighters quickly wrapped protective blankets around them and guided them through the smoke-filled library. As they neared the exit, the cool night air rushed to meet them, a stark contrast to the inferno behind them.
Outside, the library grounds were a scene of chaos. Students and staff milled around, some crying, others hugging in relief. The flashing lights of fire trucks and ambulances illuminated the night, and the wail of sirens filled the air.
Zack and Eva were led to a waiting ambulance where paramedics checked them for smoke inhalation. They sat together, wrapped in blankets, watching as firefighters battled the blaze that had consumed their sanctuary.
Zack turned to Eva, his expression filled with a mixture of exhaustion and relief. "We made it," he said softly.
Eva nodded, tears of relief streaming down her face. "Thanks to you," she replied, squeezing his hand.
As they sat there, surrounded by the chaos but safe in each other's presence, they knew they would forever be bonded by the harrowing experience they had just survived.
In just one day, Eva had gone through a big disaster. Zack was very worried about her even after they were saved, while Eva's thoughts drifted to the only person she could trust—the old lady at the orphanage who bore the same scar as she did.